Does This Debunk the "Coolant Can Flow Through the Radiator Too Fast" Idea???

Swinger 340 said

I had the same issue. The plastic tanks swell and crack when heated. I tried to repair the tank withy JB Weld, but it would not work with the tank swelling. I installed a new radiator and used less torque on the mounting bolts, to relieve some pressor at the breaking site. Seven years and so far, so goo.

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When the "aluminum core with crimped on plastic reservoirs" began in early 1980's, I thought "this will be a cluster-f", particularly since they rely on a rubber gasket to seal the plastic. I did see some early ones taken apart at radiator shop when getting my brass Mopar radiator repaired, so perhaps some early teething problems, but they have since been fairly reliable. Best thing is they are cheap to replace in most vehicles (<$100), so no more rodding out cores.

Never had a leak from one, but replaced several when the tubes plugged with debris. Once was when I made the long-life Dexcool mistake (orange coolant) and it formed brown solids. My googling found that isn't due to the oft-claimed "reacts with any residual green coolant" but rather because it reacts with atmospheric oxygen. Apparently, cars using Dexcool (mostly GM) have a different coolant design to keep air out of the coolant system.