Radiator defective or something else?

[hotkarl]

Back in October the Radiator started leaking at bottom by drain, looked to be leaking from between plastic tank and aluminum core. Not a horrible leak but still a leak. Don't know if this was original radiator or not, was in truck when I bought it. So I buy and install a replacement. Less than a month later it starts leaking from the same spot. Same thing just dripping.

It's new but in order to get it replaced I have to pull it and return it which would leave me without wheels for probably a week. So being just a drip I procrastinate. Fast forward to yesterday, it's now a legit leak, although manageable with a top off of coolant every so often. So I spoke with company, I purchased another radiator and they will reimburse me for all once the defective one is returned.

I'm just curious if this has happened to anyone else or if there is something else going on that would cause this same leak. There is nothing there to damage it, nor is it really in a spot that it could be damaged by a stone or whatever. Just strange. It looks to be leaking between the seam at the bottom of the radiator where the plastic tank and the core are connected and this is exactly where the last one failed. Just an oddball coincidence or is this a known problem with these radiators?

 

[hemihustlin]

What brand is it? Where is it made?

Yes where the plastic meets the aluminum is the place where most rads fail, and yes jobbers fail out of the box occasionaly. Nature of the (Chinese) beast unfortunately.

 

[hotkarl]

Don't know what brand. Probably chino junk. Bought it on eBay from a reputable seller. Got the new one delivered and installed already, just gotta ship the other one back for my refund.

 

[hemihustlin]

Good luck.