Thread: Cracked Radiator?

'04 GP with 259k on it. So i had to replace one of the transmission line bungs on the radiator it was the lower bung. I replaced the lower radiator hose and in doing so tweaked the bung because it started leaking there right after the hose install. Bung went in fine and it looked like I stopped the leak. I have what appears to be a residual leak or maybe a cracked radiator.

Is it common for the radiator to crack at the prongs which insert into the rubber bushings? That's where it looks like I have a leak as I'm not sure if it's just residual or a leak from the crack at the prong. I imagine it might be the prong due to hardened older rubber bushings with age and the miles I put on it. Seems like that's my issue but wanted to get a consensus here.

Well, if the 04+ rad. is anything like the 03 and down with the metal fitting that screws into the plastic sidetank of the rad, then yes it's possible. Plastic sucks, especially with high mileage.

There is an o-ring between the metal fitting and the radiator, then the line just snaps into the metal fitting. Not sure what you mean by "prongs".

I'd take a can of cleaner and spray down the entire area and let it dry. Then see where the leak actually is. After a hose change there is likely crap everywhere so it's going to be impossible to tell where the leak is coming from.