Is this radiator done for?
 

Asking this for my brother in law.

1992 XJ 4.0 auto 4x4

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...6f294187d.jpeg

His radiator is leaking from behind the big nut & washer. It was hissing and leaking today so I noticed it. Can it be tightened down to stop the leak or does this mean it's leaking from where the threads meet the radiator and it's over?

Yup its done the plastic gets old and starts falling a part , when looking for a new one try to get the one with a thicker core it will cool better or at least the same you have now .

I told him it was done for haha. He said you think that washer and nut is there to stop water from coming out?

I said dude, that is the radiator behind that. Why would they have a seaper hole right there? Hahaha

He is trying to save money and I completely understand that. My radiator on my Jeep also just went out last week and I've got to replace mine. I guess his caught it haha.

trans cooler hose?

No, it's leaking coolant from behind the big nut and washer.

Yes, it's done for, but if money is tight, he may be able to get another month or two out of it by putting in some stop leak. Do NOT use the . It will gunk up your cooling system.

If he does that, he needs to understand that he's risking his engine. He'll need to keep a very close eye on the coolant level and on his temps while driving. If he has an idiot light, and not a temperature gauge, he should NOT do this. He should replace the radiator.

Lots of folks have had good success with the Spectra brand from Autozone. Lifetime warranty.

That metal fitting has a flat flange on the inside of the tank and the nut tightens it against the plastic. It may be loose, but I'm guessing the plastic is cracked. You can get all metal radiators, but they are EXPENSIVE!

I told him it was done for again. He has a heat hamd but it doesn't work right. So I told him he was really gambling filling it up and driving it any any because had no way to know how hot it is getting.

I've been doing that with some flush in mine. So far I haven't ran my hot. I just watch my hand and if I even think it's going to run hot I will pull over and let it cool off. I am changing the radiator next week but I needed this dirty system flushed good. I am going to flush it as best as I can with a hose pipe after running this blue devil. Curse anybody who lets a jeep sit without antifreeze.

So in total he had a broke E fan, which is bad enough, an unworking heat hand, dangerous, & then he got the air filled with R12 freon and it started working. I told the dude do not drive without an E fan, then I told him and definitely don't drive with AC and no E fan. "Ah it will be OK"

He ran it hot last Saturday & nearly blew his radiator cap and now has a leaking radiator. I tried to tell the dude, I even offered to give him my 8 blade E fan off my 94 for weeks. He finally took it after he ran it hot hahaha.

I agree. It might be possible to tighten the nut and stop the leak, but you risk breaking the plastic if it's actually cracked. All metal radiators aren't that expensive. Decent ones can be had for well under $200.

the plastic tank OEM style last about 15-20yrs in most vehicles, and cost ~$100

tell him to stop being a *****, break out the tools for the morning, before he cooks his motor

Just checked RockAuto. Cheap plastic is $63 and they have an all aluminum for $118.
https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...,radiator,2172