Another one bites the dust

[Bruces]

Installed a CSF all aluminum radiator about 20k miles ago. Yesterday while installing snorkel I notice coolant dripping. Sure enough there is a leak mid way up on back side on the left. Can’t see the actual spot of the leak because the sides are enclosed. Fortunately I saved my plastic aftermarket radiator so I put it back in.

While I was at it I replaced my 12” generic pusher fan with a 16” spal pusher fan. Little louder than the 12” but moves a lot more air.

CSF is gonna have to get there act together. I have read about several having the same issues but gambled because of the deal I got. Hopefully it is repairable. Thankfully I did not pay any where near full amount as it was new in box but second hand.

 

[rascole]

Take it to a radiator shop and have it tested and post pics.

 

[alrock]

Wow, that's a shame. I've been lucky so far with my $100 eBay special radiator with about 6 years/70,000 miles on it.

 

[Clark]

I made the mistake of using the plastic inserts thru my radiator fins to hold my electric fan. It brought me endless aggravations. I went thru
2 aluminum radiators because of the inserts. So I bought an aluminum shroud and I bolted my fan onto it and I also bought aluminum clamps
to hold the shroud against my radiator. And it's great. NEVER!!! thread anything thru your radiator fins.

 

[Mb30sdl]

U have electrolysis going on. U need to ground your transfer case to prevent it. Plus newer coolants are more corrosive if u don't use truck regularly coolant and water will separate causing damage.

 

[Bruces]

I made the mistake of using the plastic inserts thru my radiator fins to hold my electric fan. It brought me endless aggravations. I went thru
2 aluminum radiators because of the inserts. So I bought an aluminum shroud and I bolted my fan onto it and I also bought aluminum clamps
to hold the shroud against my radiator. And it's great. NEVER!!! thread anything thru your radiator fins.

i have the pusher fan on the condenser not the radiator

U have electrolysis going on. U need to ground your transfer case to prevent it. Plus newer coolants are more corrosive if u don't use truck regularly coolant and water will separate causing damage.

i have put over 65k miles on it in two years. Bought it used with just over 90k on the ticker. Change coolant yearly. Don’t think it is an issue with grounding as I run ham and other radios and have OG (over grounding). I have everything grounded...lol

 

[rascole]

Would still like to see where the leak is coming from. I have the CSF and so far so good. But it would be nice to see where a potential leak could happen and look out for it.

 

[Bruces]

Would still like to see where the leak is coming from. I have the CSF and so far so good. But it would be nice to see where a potential leak could happen and look out for it.

looking at it from engine side about six inches above bottom left corner behind the aluminum that covers the sides. Could not see it from front or back but dry above that point. Steady trickle running down. Fins clear and undamaged. Just sprung a leak. Previous no issues.

 

[Mb30sdl]

Do u see any dark spots on radiator? If u do its electrolysis. I had one in my F350 for about 2 years it developed pin hole on top corner and separated only once in awhile. But when I pulled radiator out it had a few dark spots- electrolysis and I only put on maybe 10k. Pinhole was from water/coolant separation that rusted it from inside.

 

[Bruces]

No dark spots. All aluminum so no rust, or oxidation. Also came polished and still very shiny. Even all the fins.

 

[rascole]

Do you have pics?

 

[Bruces]

I’ll post a pic this weekend but like I said you can’t see the source of the leak.