Radiator imminent fail?

[AlexatWagan]

I noticed this weekend while I was cleaning out the throttle body that my radiator is a yellow-ish hue on the plastic. Rather than having a catastrophic radiator failure, I'd like to change it out. Is that the indicator of a radiator about to fail?

Thanks!

 

[hickuptruck]

Yeah, the plasticizer has left the radiator plastic thus has turned brown. Its a sign you should change it as soon as you can.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

I wouldn't say imminent, but it's def. an indicator the plastic is old. Most common is the seam between the plastic tank top and the metal body, not the actual plastic failing. I'd put it on a to-do list in the near future, but wouldn't panic about it.

 

[AlexatWagan]

I wouldn't say imminent, but it's def. an indicator the plastic is old. Most common is the seam between the plastic tank top and the metal body, not the actual plastic failing. I'd put it on a to-do list in the near future, but wouldn't panic about it.

Thanks everyone. I'll work on the rack and pinion first, then.

 

[flintknapper]

I noticed this weekend while I was cleaning out the throttle body that my radiator is a yellow-ish hue on the plastic. Rather than having a catastrophic radiator failure, I'd like to change it out. Is that the indicator of a radiator about to fail?

Thanks!

^^^^

Yes. It's only a question of when. Without benefit of a picture to show us just how degraded it is.....I wouldn't say that radiator failure is 'imminent' (soon to happen)... but it IS 'assured'.

How it manifests will be the question.

'Most' will develop a leak between the plastic caps and the radiators metal core (seal failure). Yet others (like mine) will crack somewhere along the cap. Worst case (I've seen this happen), the entire top of the radiator fails and you have an instantaneous eruption like Mt. Vesuvius.

 

[neoworm]

Radiators are relatively cheap and easy to replace. Overheated 2uz's are not . Just do it. lol