Crimping a radiator side tank

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Jadaharabi

Jadaharabi

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Okay it's not an a body it a 98 Durango radiator.


Here's a question can you recrimp the side tanks in order to tighten up the seal on the radiator?

This thing leaks at the bottom 3 in of that seal on the tank and I can push against the radiator hose and it'll gush out and I can pull it back toward me and it'll stop leaking.

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i

From the tip of those pliers to the outlet is where it will seep while in the vehicle I take it out of the vehicle it doesn't leak unless I push against it.
 
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They do make a crimper but it looks to have a different 'tooth' on it.

Northern Radiator | Product Detail

Go old school and wrap a motorcycle tie down strap across it. Would get you home for sure or would hold it close for a epoxy to dry.
 
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The radiator for my 01 Durango was cheap enough I replaced it. That's what they all do. You can try to recrimp the thing but I suspect it will lose the squish shortly and then you have to pull it out again. That makes me say words that makes my wife put dish soap in my mouth while I sleep.
 
yellow rose said:
The radiator for my 01 Durango was cheap enough I replaced it. That's what they all do. You can try to recrimp the thing but I suspect it will lose the squish shortly and then you have to pull it out again. That makes me say words that makes my wife put dish soap in my mouth while I sleep.
Click to expand...
I replaced the radiator in my 02 quadcab, (about the only thing I had to do in 15 yrs.) , the new one started leaking in the same place as the orig., I made a bolt together clamp to pull the pieces together and hold them, was still on the truck when I traded it off.
 
Okay you guys thank you. You gave me a couple of ideas. The first one was to lighty crimp where the leak was and just above it.
And number two was to strap it from one side to the other so I used plumbers tape. Along with a little duct tape for insulation to keep the plumbers tape from rubbing against plastic housing.
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Thanks again for your assistance I knew I could find an answer if I just asked you guys.

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I wouldnt waste my time. Look close at the crimps, they all cracked.little hairline fractures.

Mopar coolant=gabbage.
It turns into a silica-like deposit if left in rad too long,seepage into the gasket area will expand and force its way deeper,pushing the tanks away from core.
Not to mention the blockage.

I applaud your effort and creativity. Wonder if it was strapped with a couple rounds of ginormous hose clamps would work.
 
Tooljunkie said:
I wouldnt waste my time. Look close at the crimps, they all cracked.little hairline fractures.

Mopar coolant=gabbage.
It turns into a silica-like deposit if left in rad too long,seepage into the gasket area will expand and force its way deeper,pushing the tanks away from core.
Not to mention the blockage.

I applaud your effort and creativity. Wonder if it was strapped with a couple rounds of ginormous hose clamps would work.
Click to expand...

When I finally got the radiator out of the vehicle and I dumped it there was a sludge that almost look like wet sand came out of the radiator. I thought somebody had dumped dirty water or something in it.
What you're saying it's actually the antifreeze breaking down?
What is your recommendation for antifreeze if not using the Mopar antifreeze?
I did not notice any cracks in the aluminum crimps.
tomorrow I will go back with a magnifying glass and look and see if they are cracked.

Thank you for your input.
 
I use universal long life. One product on the shelf, compatable with everything.
I had an issue with a plugged rad. Cores blocked 95% with that sand-like stuff you drained out.
I cut tank off because i just couldnt believe a 10 year old rad could be plugged. Saved it. Will see if i have photo.
 
Here ya go
468B573C-02AB-416A-A8CF-D85FDA581F46.jpeg
was like this on rad inlet side -top to bottom.
 
Okay looked at the crimps where it had been leaking and did not see any that were cracked.
Got the radiator back into the Durango fill it with water. Drove around for a few miles no leaks no overheating.

The antifreeze that's in it now is green. So that slush probably came from the original antifreeze from the factory.

I'm going to back flush it, then put new antifreeze in it and see how long it will last, hopefully several years.

Thanks for everybody's input.
 
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