plastic radiator crack, Burb

[LVJJJ]

Got a 94 K-1500 Suburban, only 144,000 miles but has developed an antifreeze leak via a 3" crack in the driver's side plastic rad side tank right around where the upper oil cooler line screws in. I can get a new rad for $185 from NAPA here in town, but have heard about plastic tank repair kits. Those things work and hold up? Is probably better to replace the radiator realizing that a failed patch wouldn't be good towing in the desert. Any thoughts, experiences with the patch kits?

[mosseater]

I've been pretty happy with Rock Auto several times. I'd replace it if it were me. In fact, it was me a year ago.

[LVJJJ]

Took all your advice, got a new radiator from NAPA, $179. Was easy to install as the General engineered the Suburban so you can get to all the hoses and bolts from the top, real important when you have a 4x4. NAPA has them in stock which was great since I wanted to get it done before the predicted snow storm hit. Just made it.

[BenK]

One part of why my Sub has 180*F thermostat, Severe duty fan clutch, synthetics in everything and flush American Green Coolant on a two year cycle

Keeps it cooler than stock, but high enough to pass SMOG and get power mode most of the time

Careful on replacements. Make sure it is the same or better level.

'El Cheapo' has some with less rows, less numbers of tubes per row, less fins per tube, etc. Not as critical for a 5.7L small block vs the big block, which needs all the help in cooling it can get

Another careful is to blow out the engine oil and ATF coolers inside the radiator. Engine oil cooler is in the hot tank of the main radiator. ATF oil cooler is in the cold tank of the main radiator

[parker_rowe]

Our 96 Suburban did the same thing on the first long trip with our camper, going through the hills in PA.

Just kept it full until we got to our destination, then did a parts store run and swapped it at the campground fast enough that they didn't notice!

I wouldn't bother trying to fix the tank on anything you are planning to tow with, when you can get a new radiator for under $200. And I love cheap fixes!

Years of road trips with my dad taught me to always keep a toolbox in the truck.

[Thunderbolt]

I would replace it with a new one for sure. Why chance it ? I have had to replace the radiator in all my older Chevy trucks.

[mkisamore]

new radiator is the only choice, if you do a lot of boon docking then you might want to invest in J-B weld as a quick get you out of a jam fix it will work on plastic and other things including metal

[dodge_guy]

It’s normal for the plastic tanks to crack with age and heat. They wil all donit eventually!

[jerem0621]

Cheap insurance...Replace!

I would seriously considering replacing all of the cooling related parts while you have it apart. Not that much more work and the peace of mind would go along way. If it has a clutch fan I would recommend changing it too.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

[Grit_dog]

This ain’t the old days where you boil the radiator, braze up the holes and re install.
Radiators are cheap now, slap in a new one and call er done.

[BurbMan]

I got a Vista-Pro replacement rad from Rock Auto when my 01 started leaking. I don't think they make all-aluminum for this application because you have oil cooler lines going thru the left side and trans cooler lines going through the right side.

*EDIT* They DO make an all-aluminum radiator that fits a 94 1500 burb, its $929 at Summit Racing. :E Now I remember why I didn't get one....

If you plan on keeping the truck now is a good time to replace all the hoses, t-stat, and rad cap. On the 01 the plastic overflow tank is pressurized as part of the system and ages out just like the radiator does, worth checking on your 94.

[jfkmk]

The repair kits are best suited for people making a quick repair just to sell it. They usually don't last long.

[garyemunson]

If you have a "Summit Racing" store near you, I've found them to be the best place to get radiators.

[ktmrfs]

seems almost all the radiators built in the last 30 years have gone to plastic caps. And seems like no matter who the mfg is, the life is somewhere around 100K miles or 10 years.

you've been lucky.



Fixes are a short term band aid. solution is a new radiator.

That's been my experience and virtually all my neighbors who keep vehicles very long.

[Ron3rd]

Those patch/repair kits always seem to let you down at the wrong time.

Like the others said, fix it right.