Michael Roberts
Member
Good evening fellow STers,
I've been through a few aftermarket radiators in the five years I've owned my 04 ST. These were all the plastic-tank type. They either leaked at the tank to core attachment or ended up corroding out at the ends where the cores are welded to the tank structure. I'm assuming there's dirt and residual salt that the fan doesn't move that helps contribute to this.
About two years ago, I found an all welded aluminum, 2-core radiator on eBay for about twice the price of the plastic-tank version. Before installing this one, I spray painted the core to tank weld areas with zinc chromate primer only. It's done over a year now without leaking.
Recently when doing oil change etc, I noticed this radiator has developed a yellow to brown corrosion at the weld areas. Needless to say, the coolant is slowly disappearing again. I've just purchased another one as a just in caser.
The engine is running perfectly! I can't believe there would be anything like a head gasket weeping into the coolant. No indication of coolant contamination. Temp is right where it should be. Thermostat & Housing have been done recently. Water Pump also done recently which was leaking slowly.
What are you guys using for radiators?
Thanks, Michael.
I've been through a few aftermarket radiators in the five years I've owned my 04 ST. These were all the plastic-tank type. They either leaked at the tank to core attachment or ended up corroding out at the ends where the cores are welded to the tank structure. I'm assuming there's dirt and residual salt that the fan doesn't move that helps contribute to this.
About two years ago, I found an all welded aluminum, 2-core radiator on eBay for about twice the price of the plastic-tank version. Before installing this one, I spray painted the core to tank weld areas with zinc chromate primer only. It's done over a year now without leaking.
Recently when doing oil change etc, I noticed this radiator has developed a yellow to brown corrosion at the weld areas. Needless to say, the coolant is slowly disappearing again. I've just purchased another one as a just in caser.
The engine is running perfectly! I can't believe there would be anything like a head gasket weeping into the coolant. No indication of coolant contamination. Temp is right where it should be. Thermostat & Housing have been done recently. Water Pump also done recently which was leaking slowly.
What are you guys using for radiators?
Thanks, Michael.