Alright, got my new exhaust in, and took it for a drive last night, and noticed steam coming from the passenger headlamp...odd, I pop the hood, see a little coolant, chalk it up to the overflow leaking a bit and go home. Temps perfect.

Go out this morning to investigate, crank it up, wait, go get some coolant to add to the tank from the shed, come back, and I see it peeing out of the end tank on the passenger side.

Inspect, there is a crack in the top of the end tank on the passenger side of the rad, right about where the slot is to look into the housing.

So I guess I need a new radiator, or is it repairable? what kind of job is it to replace the radiator? How many hours do you think it should take? And how much should I be spending? I'd like to get a nice aftermarket like a DeWitt, but after just getting laid off, I don't think I can afford it.

the reason I need quick help is I would like to get it done by the 28th, as my club is having a cruise I would like to take my father on with me for his birthday.

Cliffnotes: Rad cracked at passenger end tank, repair or replace? time and costs?

 

Repair at Rad shop would be cheaper than new rad, but that depends on the damage and if they can even fix it....
GM aftermarkets on ebay about $150-225

1st time doing changeout, 4-6 hrs...

 

I plan on having a local shop do it, so I'm trying to get a guess on how much I'm going to be paying for labor.

like I said its on the end tank, passenger side, tword the top of the inspection slot, right on one of the raised ribs.

 

Those side tanks/jackets are only held on with the little spring clips. There is a gasket there too but I wonder if you could replace the gasket with RTV only. You might be able to get the local shop to order you the jacket+gasket and put it on yourself.

 

hmm, thats a thought, just replace the tank thats cracked.

I went out and looked the crack is vertical from the bottom on the 1st rib, to the top of the 3rd rib.

I'm still waiting on the shop to call me with a price, and I'm still debating repair vs. replace vs. replace with DeWitt.

 

NAPA sells an epoxy radiator tank repair kit that works pretty well.

 

I may give that a try depending on the price that the shop tells me

 

Contact Chris May at Superior Chevrolet. He sold me a new OEM rad for my '94 this past summer for around $160, and it arrived quickly.

1-800-728-8267

Be well,

SJW

 

Dewitt's is having a sale right now. $50.00 off and free shipping.

 

I got a radiator from local wrecking yard with a year old mfg. date tag
for $100.
Pressure tested and 30 day warranty

 

drill a small hole at each end of crack and use permatex 2 part epoxy for plastic. only will cost 6 bucks and a little bit of time.

 

that seems excessive lol, the crack is only wide enough for me to arely fit a fingernail in, and about 2" long, I think ima try that radiator tank repair kit tomorrow.

 

Actually it's a time proven method of stopping stress fractures from spreading. The crack extends to the hole and the stress is distributed around the arc of the clean hole and is stopped. So you're thinking that the radiator is not a stressed part of the car. It doesn't carry any weight and is held in by rubber. All that is true. However, imagine driving down the road at 70 mph holding that radiator out the window in the airstream by one of the jackets. The reality isn't so severe but I think you see where the stress comes into play.

Good luck and let us know when she's all leak free again!!

 

I paid $130.00 for brand new AcDelco replacement radiator from the unmentionable place that sounds like skibaayy, the seller must do a huge volume, I couldn't believe the price. It arrived lightning fast, was the correct part, was brand new and I had no issues.

BTW mine cracked in the same spot, that crack goes much further than you can see, I took my old end tank off to have a look see, any fix you do will just buy you a little time. Install a new radiator and be done with it.

I took a picture of the inside of the cracked tank but damned if I can find it, when you get a new radiator or tank take a look at the inside of that crack, you'll wonder how it didn't just explode all over your engine compartment.

PM me if you want that sellers info.

 

PM Sent.

I may try the patch for now, just so I can see if it will help. A new radiator is needed, but with getting laid off from my job, money is very tight right now.

 

Yep.... UPS has mine, I'm tracking it...Can hardly wait.

 

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/90-91...81996711QQrdZ1

 

I buy most of my parts from "thepartsladi". She has a great rep. and 100% positive feedback.

 

I bought the one for my 87 from thepartsladi and it arrived and was correct. Excellent price, excellent part.