Hi all. 1995 Toyota Pickup 3vze 4wd 220k+ miles. I replaced my metal radiator with the Autozone special, a plastic radiator back in February of this year with toyota red coolant 50/50. All was well as I drove throughout spring turkey season here in Alabama and into the early parts of June. Then during a trip to the gas station, the radiator cracked significantly causing the majority of coolant to be lost. Luckily I was only a couple miles away from home. Again, I ordered another radiator from Autozone thinking it was my fault for not changing the thermostat and pressure cap. This time around I replaced radiator (AutoZone) the thermostat (factory) and radiator cap (standard) with pressure relief tab from AutoZone. Refilled with toyota red mixed 50/50 with water. Burped and have had no overheating instances since. However, I have noticed after driving that the plastic radiator is starting to leak around the seams of where plastic was joined. I am worried that the seams will eventually burst as before putting me on the side of the road once again. Has anyone had the same issues out of plastic radiators? What could be wrong with my cooling system to cause not 1 but 2 radiators to leak? Maybe I should try to find another metal radiator. Do you guys have a preference for a certain metal rad? Any insight would be great. Thanks!

 

Why assume it is the rad or you when you can test and be sure? Pressure test the system first and let us know what happened.
Car makers are using AL for a reason.

 

How long did that copper and brass radiator last???

 

There is a test "jig" for radiator caps.

I have a love hate relationship with safety caps, such a nice idea but usually poorly executed.

Don't recall off hand with certainly but I'd expect a rubber mount on the radiator to cope with expansion. If it's there and overtight it isn't doing its job.