plastic radiator crack, Burb

This ain’t the old days where you boil the radiator, braze up the holes and re install.
Radiators are cheap now, slap in a new one and call er done.

Cheap insurance...Replace!

I would seriously considering replacing all of the cooling related parts while you have it apart. Not that much more work and the peace of mind would go along way. If it has a clutch fan I would recommend changing it too.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

It’s normal for the plastic tanks to crack with age and heat. They wil all donit eventually!

new radiator is the only choice, if you do a lot of boon docking then you might want to invest in J-B weld as a quick get you out of a jam fix it will work on plastic and other things including metal

I would replace it with a new one for sure. Why chance it ? I have had to replace the radiator in all my older Chevy trucks.

Our 96 Suburban did the same thing on the first long trip with our camper, going through the hills in PA.

Just kept it full until we got to our destination, then did a parts store run and swapped it at the campground fast enough that they didn't notice!

I wouldn't bother trying to fix the tank on anything you are planning to tow with, when you can get a new radiator for under $200. And I love cheap fixes!

Years of road trips with my dad taught me to always keep a toolbox in the truck.

One part of why my Sub has 180*F thermostat, Severe duty fan clutch, synthetics in everything and flush American Green Coolant on a two year cycle

Keeps it cooler than stock, but high enough to pass SMOG and get power mode most of the time

Careful on replacements. Make sure it is the same or better level.

'El Cheapo' has some with less rows, less numbers of tubes per row, less fins per tube, etc. Not as critical for a 5.7L small block vs the big block, which needs all the help in cooling it can get

Another careful is to blow out the engine oil and ATF coolers inside the radiator. Engine oil cooler is in the hot tank of the main radiator. ATF oil cooler is in the cold tank of the main radiator

Took all your advice, got a new radiator from NAPA, $179. Was easy to install as the General engineered the Suburban so you can get to all the hoses and bolts from the top, real important when you have a 4x4. NAPA has them in stock which was great since I wanted to get it done before the predicted snow storm hit. Just made it.

I've been pretty happy with Rock Auto several times. I'd replace it if it were me. In fact, it was me a year ago.