Found my coolant leak.

[nickid]

Been losing water a lot, and after a few months, found one leak at least. It's between the plastic and the metal radiator
Can this be repaired?

[TiAgX5]

No repair, replace the radiator.

This is a common leak point on high mileage E53s, mine started leaking in that area around 190k miles.

I went with a Behr/Hella unit.

[StephenVA]

+1

Rad is aluminum and the side tanks are plastic (resin) with a rubber gasket in between. When they leak, that is the end of life...Hence the word "lifetime part".

[g300d]

If you really wanted to, you theoretically could. I've had a few plastic tank radiators repaired before.

But it's not easy. That plastic is old and could be brittle. Also, the plastic may be cracked under that joint.

Resealing might not be 100% on reassembly too.

That is assuming a you find a shop that would be willing to tackle the job. Most won't want to, too much chance of the job coming back.

As radiators have come down in price quite a bit (I think the Niessen and Behr radiators are $200 or so), for me just replacing it is better. That's what I did on the 3.0. The 4.6 is leaking in that area too and I will need to do a replacememt soon.

I'd time the system cooling overhaul around it too, or at least the parts directly connected to it like the water distribution plate and the radiator hoses. IME doing piecemeal replacements in these trucks, something else always leaks shortly after.

[nickid]

I don't have high miles, 92k miles, but it is a 2001 model

[g300d]

Age does a number on these parts as well. I replaced the rad on my 3.0 at around 40k miles, it's at 63k now.

The 4.6 is at 49k miles or so and already leaking at that area. Already replaced a leaking radiator distribution plate and a few leaking hoses at around 40k.

[X53Jay4.8is]

Originally Posted by nickid

Been losing water a lot, and after a few months, found one leak at least. It's between the plastic and the metal radiator
Can this be repaired?

No its time for a new one. At least you know where its coming from before it becomes a bigger problem and leave you stranded and engine overheated.

[Fifty150hs]

Originally Posted by nickid

Been losing water a lot, and after a few months, found one leak at least. It's between the plastic and the metal radiator
Can this be repaired?

Mine leaked in exactly the same location. Tried a number of "fixes." none worked. Finally replaced the radiator. Installed a new Behr. $215.

[richardb]

I agree with others here, you need to replace that radiator. Replace the expansion tank along with it. When the cooling system fails and the car overheats it can do major damage to the engine which would cost a ton of time and money to repair.