Voyager/Caravan radiator leak

1992 Voyager. On its third radiator. The first lasted 140,000 miles. The
second was defective as installed. The third was a warranty repair for the
second and has lasted just a year.

Leak is the same place each time, top right side rear ( by the hose, facing
engine) at the crimped joint. This seems like a design flaw.

If I crimp the joint a little tighter can I make it last longer?

Joseph Osborne

 

Oh geeze, how could it be a design flaw if the original rad lasted 140000
miles?

Sounds to me like you have a bad rad cap. That joint just happens to
normally be the hottest and highest
pressure area in the cooling system since the hot water from the engine goes
into the rad there. So if the system is overpressure it will burst there.
Did you change the rad cap
or are you still running the
original?

Ted

 

Have you checked the engine mounts? I've seen bad engine mounts allow
excessive movement which puts stress on the radiator neck.. (Along with A/C
lines, power steering hoses etc...)

 

Well, yes, actually. The engine mounts have been bad for months. When I
replace them it will be the fourth set since I've owned it (90,000 miles).
Any idea why they go bad so often?

Joseph Osborne

 

The cap was replaced with the last radiator, about one year ago and perhaps
8,000 miles. Could it leak from the cap but leave no wet areas above the
crimp joint? There is lots of green at and below that joint but none above.

You're probably right that a flawed design would never have lasted that
long. I think the engine mounts may be the cause- see my other post. I
have let them go because I am tired of replacing them so frequently.

Joe