A little background on the truck, purchased used with 223,000 miles. I've had the truck for about three months. I did a coolant flush with distilled water and VC-9 a month ago. I can't say that I've watched this area since owning the truck. After doing the flush I have been watching this area.

When I look at the radiator from the front, from the top, I do not see any leaks. When I look at the radiator from the engine side, from the top, I do not see any leaks. Is the bottom flange of the radiator leaking? Is this fluid coming from radiator? Is this a typical leak location for the OEM plastic radiator?

Is this, gulp, a symptom of something else? Is my truck okay?

 

Looks like you sprung a leak around the crimp for sure. With the miles and unknown, I would replace.

 

If the tank's not cracked a good radiator shop can reseal them, but those aluminum tabs tend to stress crack. OEM radiators aren't that expensive, and as John said, with that many miles you'll be better off to replace it. They are known to leak around the tank seam.

 

Radiator depot has them for 200 bucks with lifetime warranty

 

But where do they come from? China maybe?


Then there is Aluminum Radiator, Performance Radiator, Cooling Products - Mishimoto Automotive
They are on the other end of the price spectrum.

Sean

 

There's trusty Ford OEM...

There's Mishimoto aluminum radiators...

There's Bullet Proof Diesel Aluminum radiators...

Personal testimonies about each one that you can share?

 

Guess it depends on how much you want to spend. I've used radiator depots radiators for years and never had a problem with them. But in saying that I normally dont keep a truck longer than 6 months so thats about all I can say about that. As for trusty fords, never bought one. All I know is ford didnt do that great with radiators for the 6.4 and 6.7's. I kinda had to throw that in.lol