Hello. I have a severe rad. problem that I can't find any answers for. After reading some posts on the forum I am wondering if the fluid I am using is to blame. Everytime I have refilled the rad. after repair I have used Prestone "Ready-to-Use 50/50 mix" green every single time. I am wondering if I am not using the right kind of fluid.
I have a 1993 Caprice with a 350 that develops a radiator leak in every radiator that it has ever had.
In the course of 7 years: I have had 2 brass/copper 2 row, 2 aluminum w/ plastic tank 2 row, 1 Howe Racing all aluminum 2 row radiator and now a custom 3 row brass/copper. All rads have had in tank coolers for trans and oil fluids.
Yes guys...I have gone through 6 radiators in 7 years. The plastic tank ones have seemed to last the longest...about a year and a 1/2 on each. The original brass/copper 2 row went out in the first 9 months of ownership...the 2nd lasted about a year...the Howe Racing Rad. lastest only 9 months and started leaking at the top three tubes on the pass. side. Then I sent it back to have them fix it...again it only lasted 3 weeks and started leaking again. I sent it back and they sent me my money back. I then went and had a local shop build me a 3 core out of brass/copper. This rad now has been fixed 3 times in a row and has started leaking after only 3 weeks each time. This particular 3 row rad starts leaking right around the threaded trans. cooler lines recess. Without fail...in the exact same area...on the pass. side...it seems to be eating out the lead solder used to repair the pin hole leaks.
I don't have anywhere to turn guys. I have spent almost 1000 dollars on new rads and fluid and shop fees in trying to determine what is causing this problem. I need someone who knows cooling systems inside and out.
I also installed a sacrifical annode rad cap and it is showing signs of being eaten...but when the shop I took it too put it on a dyno and ran the car up in RPM's...that didn't find any electricity in the fluid at all. They are completely boggled by this.
BTW...this isn't just an ordinary shop...this is a shop that is owned by a man who has built some very wicked cars...some specifically for GM and Chrysler both. He is dumbfounded by the problem and for the life of him...he can't figure it out. I don't want to get rid of the car but at this rate...I don't seem to have any other choice anymore. I can't keep going on like this.
The only thing that is not stock under the hood is a dual electic fan that I have installed by Flex-A-Lite. It has never had an over heating problem and it has a 190* T-Stat. I have the fans kick on at about 200*-210*.
The 1994-1996 Caprice's had aluminum heater cores and came from the factory with Dex-Cool. My 1993 Caprice has a brass and copper heater core from the factory and it came with green from the factory. Through all of this nonsense the heater core has never failed. If it was true electrolysis ...shouldn't the heater core have failed too?
I have had some electrical issues...cruise control has never worked...3rd brake light has never worked...the horn buttons don't work...the power antenna doesn't go up and down, front side turning markers don't turn on when directionals are used.
The one thing that is glaring to me is the mechanical rpm gauge flickers from time to time. Sometimes it actually slams to the bottom of the gauge and jumps back up to the proper point again. I am wondering if some kind of electricity is getting from the rad area and jumping down the metal trans cooler lines and hitting the trans. there by causing some kind of glitch on the rpm needle.
I am sorry that this post is so long but guys...I am desperate...
Thanks for any and all input.
JBLTZ
I have a 1993 Caprice with a 350 that develops a radiator leak in every radiator that it has ever had.
In the course of 7 years: I have had 2 brass/copper 2 row, 2 aluminum w/ plastic tank 2 row, 1 Howe Racing all aluminum 2 row radiator and now a custom 3 row brass/copper. All rads have had in tank coolers for trans and oil fluids.
Yes guys...I have gone through 6 radiators in 7 years. The plastic tank ones have seemed to last the longest...about a year and a 1/2 on each. The original brass/copper 2 row went out in the first 9 months of ownership...the 2nd lasted about a year...the Howe Racing Rad. lastest only 9 months and started leaking at the top three tubes on the pass. side. Then I sent it back to have them fix it...again it only lasted 3 weeks and started leaking again. I sent it back and they sent me my money back. I then went and had a local shop build me a 3 core out of brass/copper. This rad now has been fixed 3 times in a row and has started leaking after only 3 weeks each time. This particular 3 row rad starts leaking right around the threaded trans. cooler lines recess. Without fail...in the exact same area...on the pass. side...it seems to be eating out the lead solder used to repair the pin hole leaks.
I don't have anywhere to turn guys. I have spent almost 1000 dollars on new rads and fluid and shop fees in trying to determine what is causing this problem. I need someone who knows cooling systems inside and out.
I also installed a sacrifical annode rad cap and it is showing signs of being eaten...but when the shop I took it too put it on a dyno and ran the car up in RPM's...that didn't find any electricity in the fluid at all. They are completely boggled by this.
BTW...this isn't just an ordinary shop...this is a shop that is owned by a man who has built some very wicked cars...some specifically for GM and Chrysler both. He is dumbfounded by the problem and for the life of him...he can't figure it out. I don't want to get rid of the car but at this rate...I don't seem to have any other choice anymore. I can't keep going on like this.
The only thing that is not stock under the hood is a dual electic fan that I have installed by Flex-A-Lite. It has never had an over heating problem and it has a 190* T-Stat. I have the fans kick on at about 200*-210*.
The 1994-1996 Caprice's had aluminum heater cores and came from the factory with Dex-Cool. My 1993 Caprice has a brass and copper heater core from the factory and it came with green from the factory. Through all of this nonsense the heater core has never failed. If it was true electrolysis ...shouldn't the heater core have failed too?
I have had some electrical issues...cruise control has never worked...3rd brake light has never worked...the horn buttons don't work...the power antenna doesn't go up and down, front side turning markers don't turn on when directionals are used.
The one thing that is glaring to me is the mechanical rpm gauge flickers from time to time. Sometimes it actually slams to the bottom of the gauge and jumps back up to the proper point again. I am wondering if some kind of electricity is getting from the rad area and jumping down the metal trans cooler lines and hitting the trans. there by causing some kind of glitch on the rpm needle.
I am sorry that this post is so long but guys...I am desperate...
Thanks for any and all input.
JBLTZ