Yup … it’s the self-same vehicle as in this thread.
I noticed a bit of steam coming from under my hood after my thankfully-short commute Friday. Upon opening the hood, steam and tiny bubbles were coming out of a 3-inch crack at the very top of the radiator, on the side away from the engine and upper hose flange.
Thankfully, the crack is way up high … so coolant is not leaking out when the truck is parked. At the moment, I add water to top off the radiator for every trip to and from work (about a 10-15-minute drive each way on 35-mph surface streets – no open road). I realize that is diluting the coolant/water mixture, but it’s only been a stopgap measure until I can determine what level of repair I am dealing with.
I understand that sometimes cracks in radiators can be successfully sealed. My GQ is this: how can I tell the difference between a crack that’s a good candidate for sealing, and one that necessitates a new radiator? That a new radiator would cure all is a given … the issue, as it so often is, is the cost of the repair.
I am hoping that the location of the crack works to my advantage, as there is no slow-leaking when parked. TIA for any advice or anecdotes.