The plastic / Aluminum radiator in my 1991 Ford F-150 is currently 25 years old. (Last replaced in 1998). It's still going strong, and I have no intentions of replacing it until I see a leak. The heater core is original, (32 years old and still going strong delivering plenty of heat).I'm not sure I'd worry about a radiator failure just because it's plastic . I've only had one failure myself where a crack caused a pinhole type leak .
I think the biggest contributor to short radiator life is the lack of proper coolant changes and flushes, along with how they are performed. NEVER use a flushing tee connected to a garden hose. Those things should be illegal to sell.
Most automotive radiators and heater cores are designed to operate at between 8 and 16 pounds of pressure. Most city water pressure is anywhere from 45 to 75 PSI depending where you live.
Turn that loose on an automotive cooling system, and you're looking for trouble. Especially one that is partially clogged. The pressure will build up fast. Something's got to give.
I drain and flush every 2 years. I look at engine coolant the same way as I do engine oil. Change it more often for less trouble. Oil and coolant is cheap. Engines, radiators and heater cores aren't. And it's a hell of a lot easier to change coolant and oil, than it is to change radiators and overhaul engines.
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