Good afternoon. I have a 2011 suburban 5.3 L. In the past 25,000 miles I’ve had to replace the radiator four times due to coolant leakage. Each radiator was a new replacement part from Napa. The leak is between the metal section and the plastic end cap every time. I have done a pressure leak down test each time with no leakage after the radiator is replaced and multiple block checks for head gasket leakage with no indication of head gasket leakage. I’ve also replaced the radiator cap twice. Has anyone experienced multiple radiator failures like this before? Any ideas what might cause it?

 

Did NAPA replace them for free under warranty? Did they fit in easily or were modifications made to make them fit? When were the mounting bolts tightened up did, they put any pressure on the radiator? I would try a different brand of radiator.

 

Yes, NAPA replaced them under warranty. There were no issues during any of the installations, no issues with them bolting up, no modifications performed or needed.

 

What do they say at NAPA about this? They can't replace them under warranty forever!

 

NAPA keeps replacing them without a good answer. They asked if I had the system pressure tested, I told them I did, and they aren’t sure what else to say. I am tired of changing radiators (though I am getting better at it every time) and want to find a solution.

 

Are NAPA radiators made in China?

 

I’m not sure and can’t find reference to where they are made on the NAPA website. Good chance they are made in China I suppose.

 

Radiators with plastic end caps (or plastic top and bottom caps) use rubber gaskets between the aluminum core and the plastic parts, crimped together. The radiator cap should release pressure when it gets to about 13 psi. I'd get a psi reading from a gauge that replaces the radiator cap. I might ask NAPA for a refund and try a radiator from another source if your system is not over-pressuring.

On our 2005 Yukon, the driver side plastic cap simply exploded and left poor Mrs. Cusser stranded while towing her horse. I installed a replacement radiator from local Autozone (small town), was in stock, and fine. Yes, I'd assume that radiator and the NAPA ones you installed were ALL made in China.

Before we took ownership of our 2014 Yukon, I noticed its radiator had a small leak, so had that replaced (unknown source) before we took the vehicle.

We have a 1998 Frontier and its factory leaked at its top crimp seal; replaced that with lifetime O'Reilly radiator well over a decade ago.