Radiator leaks
Asked by mdayton1982 Jan 05, 2015 at 04:02 PM about the 2004 Dodge RAM 1500 SLT Quad Cab LB RWD
Question type: Maintenance & Repair
I have a 2004 Dodge 1500 that over the past year we have put six yes SIX radiators in
and the sixth one is now leaking. Two of them came from Advanced Auto Parts and the
last four have come from NAPA. They all developed leaks within the finns and no one
seems to have an answer as to why this keeps happening.
4 Answers
are you sure that that is where the leak or is it in the water pum p have youchecked for crackes in the water pump
mdayton1982 answered 9 years ago
The water pump was replaced about a year ago and every time this happens we pressure test the system and you can see the fluid coming out of the fins for the radiator. Not on the edge but 2 or more inches into the fins
I've replaced ours 3xs in 4 years also wondering whats going on
I build them radiators. I can tell you exactly why they leak if you have fluid coming from the fins. It's a leak from the tubes. Basically the tube is formed thru a series or rollers and folded at the seem. Then a powdered flux is allpied and ran thru a furnace. If the shape of the tube is not correct the brazing process will not fill the seem correctly. It will hold long enough for us to leak check it and it will pass all of our tests but over time and actual driving conditions will cause the braze to fail. And you end up with a leak. You probably want to find another manufacturer other than the ones you have.
