Radiator leaking in 2 spots.

[5.0Flareside]

well ive got 2 radiator leaks. one has been there for a while but a new one popped up today.

yall think i should use some of the Radiator stop leak? my dad has used it with no issues several times before. but im hesitant. and bout how much would a shop charge to repair my radiator?

 

[john112deere]

Personally, I wouldn't use it in a vehicle I intended to keep... Some people have good luck with it, but I wouldn't want to chance it. (I'd be more likely to try it in a vehicle where I knew the heater core was easy to replace, though...can't remember if yours is easy or an all-day affair like mine.)

Not sure what a shop charges to repair a radiator (if yours is even repairable, and you can find a place to do it), but new radiators aren't THAT expensive...and they're pretty easy to put in.

 

[Truckin4life]

im not a fan of those kinds of patches my self...
I would price a rad and see what your lookin at before i do anything else.

 

[FordF-SuperDuty]

I think it's worth a shot. During the mean time keep look out for part outs with super coolers.

 

[73F100Shortbed]

I had good luck with in my Dodge that I used to own and it also sealed what looked like a leak in the block in my mustang, but I would still just price out a new rad.

 

[5.0Flareside]

yeah im pricing out new radiators right now. i may go get some of this stop leak stuff and use it for a week or 2 before i get a new radiator.

 

[smokey]

I refuse to use Stop leak if at all possible.
If traveling I will try it but if not. I would try soldering it or replacing the radiator with either a new or used one.
Stop leak will plug up the heater core and other small passages in the engine and create hotspots.

 

[Truckin4life]

if your goin to use it, then use it.
Once its in your system its there....
I would go one way or the other with it.
Either use it and be done or get a new rad and not use it.

 

[5.0Flareside]

if your goin to use it, then use it.
Once its in your system its there....
I would go one way or the other with it.
Either use it and be done or get a new rad and not use it.

true. hmm will a radiator from a 88 F150 with a 5.0 fit? it should fit shouldnt it?

 

[john112deere]

true. hmm will a radiator from a 88 F150 with a 5.0 fit? it should fit shouldnt it?

Go on NAPA or some parts store with a website, and compare parts numbers between your truck, and the truck you want to use a radiator from.

Another thing to keep in mind is the transmission...I don't think it matters on the pickups, but I know on my Escort it was a different p/n for the auto than it would have been for a stick.

 

[Truckin4life]

should, but as ian said double check pns...

 

[smokey]

A automatic tranny just has a cooler built in is all. A auto radiator will work in a manual but a manual will not work in a auto equipt truck no cooler inputs.
You know you popped the radiator trying to do burn outs .

 

[73F100Shortbed]

I would hold off and get a new radiator. Like said above it does get into all of the small passages in engine and heater core. If it is a small leak and you have to wait for radiator just make sure you don't run it out of coolant.

 

[73F100Shortbed]

A automatic tranny just has a cooler built in is all. A auto radiator will work in a manual but a manual will not work in a auto equipt truck no cooler inputs.
You know you popped the radiator trying to do burn outs .

Yeah and the extra weight of stop leak will slow him down even more

 

[5.0Flareside]

its saying the part numbers are the same. but the one i found on craigslist is sold. thats the only one i could find used. a new one is 152.99 from autozone.

 

[5.0Flareside]

Yeah and the extra weight of stop leak will slow him down even more

haha truffcakes.

 

[DNFXDLI]

Personally, I'd try to spring for the new one if you can...who knows what kind of shape a used one could be in or how long until it develops a leak.

 

[5.0Flareside]

yeah i think im gonna spring for the new one.

 

[73F100Shortbed]

its saying the part numbers are the same. but the one i found on craigslist is sold. thats the only one i could find used. a new one is 152.99 from autozone.

That is about what I paid for mine from Autozone.

 

[5.0Flareside]

im just gonna baby it along till next week. just keeping a close eye on the coolant level. bought a new jug of antifreeze to have with me at all times.