Radiator leak, tough choice. 1992 GMC C2500 6.5TD

[ryley]

I just picked up a this truck, it just for parts for my other truck, it’s road worthy but needs some work.(this is 2WD, the other is 4wd.) However I am forced to drive it for the next 2 months.

I just started on some basic maintenance, new Rad cap, T-stat, air filter, oil change, Glow plugs, injectors, oil cooler/lines, misc seals, Harmonic balancer and pulley.

This trucks rad started to leak shortly after I put a new rad cap on, it one of those nice old copper/brass rads. Hear is the probelm, I am broke. I have to use this truck to get to work, I am thinking of using some stop leak, however it may push the problem to the next weak link, hoses or heater core. Normally I would pull the Rad take to a shop, hot tank, pressure test and repair.(I repair the old copper rads, before I would repace them with the crappy new ones.)

I will be pulling the engine out and using it in my gmc 4×4 2500. (broken crank, still runs. got me home.) Not too worried about the heater core plugging up, or making a mess of the hoses. I will replace that when I pull the engine for my other truck.

crappy choice. Thanks for reading, and for any advice.

Topic

[Richard Kirshy]

Depending on how large of a leak.. ( never been a fan of any stop leak products )
Might try the old school trick..
Pour some pepper onto the radiator and see if that helps.

[Fernando cunha]

lol the old egg trick should do it 🙂

[ryley]

It’s a small leak and only when under pressure. No leak is a good leak.

thanks for the tips. I just took a good look at everything, two hoses are failing now. Just going have to borrow some money, and fix it on my next day off. The hose on top of the water pump is over a 1″ 1/2″ in size, going to fail soon.

I guess that is what happens when you get a cheap truck. Engine runs perfect tho. I need to keep it that way.

[Jim Davis]

Will the radiator out of the other truck fit?

[ryley]

I am not a 100% that there the same, but it will fit. Thanks guy’s for the help. I guess the coolant system was overdue for a overhaul, and trying to get the maintenance up to date is causing the weaker parts to show signs of failure.

Can’t wait in till spring or when the snow is gone, so I can swcith the engine, and get the 4×4 truck back on the road.

[Author]

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