Back in August right before our sadly needed vacation as a matter of fact 2 days before leaving I started to smell antifreeze, even though the car was not over heating. After closer examination i found that the plastic radiator tank had a slight split right near the Trans lines close to the top trans line.

FREAKING I immediately call the local radiator man whom I have done business with and saves the day by getting the radiator in by 4 that afternoon. Figuring the car had 106,000 miles on it. It didn't seem alarming to me that it cracked, being thankful I wasn't half way across the country at the mercy of "someone else".

I replaced the radiator BRAND NEW a 160 degree thermostat, a new cap, radiator and hoses... drove back east and home again :steering: and everything seemed fine until Saturday :eek: I get this wif of antifreeze AGAIN... I now have another crack in the NEW radiator same place! The car has never overheated ! I take the tank back to the radiator shop as it came with a 2 year warranty, the man tells me ...YOU HAVE SOMETHING REALLY WRONG! so they are "analysing to see if they are going to cover it under warranty...

I'm thinking well the "only thing it could be is a blown head gasket... HOWEVER... I'ts not over heating there is no oil or cloudiness in the antifreeze whatsoever. The ONLY thing I havent "tested" was the kit to check for "combustion gases in the antifreeze.

Has anyone seen this before? The car runs very fast, idles smooth and even on a 108 degree day here in So. Cal rarely gets above 200 degrees...

Does it look like I'm ready for a "pull" down of the heads?

Update they replaced the radiator under warranty :)

But I would still like some input if anyone has anything to share...

Thank you!

Mo

 

Put on a new radiator cap. They are built not to hold too much pressure and any overflow will go into the reservoir in the front right of the engine compartment. A bad cap may not be venting the pressure properly. Just a guess though.

 

I agree, replace the cap and probably the other tank too since the one that's breaking is on the low pressure side of the radiator. Surprise the other side hasn't broken too. For your year, the head gaskets should last longer than the heads.

 

Could it be that the transmission line is putting some torque on the tank somehow? Over tightened?

 

thanks folks for the ideas... I had the radiator replaced twice now.. in two months the cracking near the trans lines seems ironic.. I will look at the trans lines as they are not stock and loop through to my trans cool ..as I have a high stall converter... perhaps they are tweeking the tank when the hood is down.. hmmmm the cap was brand new... but for 5 bucks hey i'll replace it..

So consensis is since i have never overheated it ... head gaskets are probably fine?

mo

 

If it ain't running hot or consumin' coolant, ain't nothin' wrong with them thar head gaskets. If the cap is new, I would throw the suspicions to the tranny lines causing it.

 

Thanks '92

That was my suspision too... you know how it is.. after awhile a person starts second guessing...

Mo

 

I just replaced the radiator on my daughters 90 Lumina. Same basic radiator as the vette only the trans lines are on the drivers side. Same crack same place. I think that its heat related as the trans fluid probably runs pretty hot.

 

Just a question how is the motor mounts .If motor is pulling too far it would put stress in those connectors.I almost positive that would be the upward tourqe side of motor.I might be wrong but its worth a look.