My 2000 Dakota Sport 2.5 has developed a leak, squirting a spittle of a stream through the grill and dripping down to the bumper.
I've tried some of the K-Seal Coolant Leak Repair last year and it seemed to take care of the leak. But it has started again.
Thinking maybe this original radiator may have seen its days.
For the novice mechanic, replacing the radiator doesn't look like that major an undertaking.
Any tips and tricks? I found a replacement on eBay for around $100. I'm not looking for high performance, just something that works.
Thank all!

 

I have no tips except go local for a rad or rockauto.com ebay sucks these days full of cheats and con artists selling garbage or parts from amazon getting shipped to you with a small price increase.

ebay is not any good these days.

With local easy return ebay no

 

Thanks, 98DAKAZ. Good stuff to know. I've used RockAuto for several other parts and the prices are usually reasonable.
I didn't notice a leak after my 20 mile highway drive home yesterday, but the heater wasn't blowing real hot either.
The coolant must be low. Could low coolant be why I didn't notice the leak?
Can these radiators be repaired? Are they all aluminum?
My apologies for all the questions!
Thanks!

 

For the most part, its generally cheaper to replace them, than to repair.... If the leak is on a seam, where the plastic tanks are crimped to the aluminum core, it is essentially unrepairable. (at least, reliably....)

Being low on coolant may have the fluid level below the leak. Top off the system, burp the air out of it, then let it build some pressure, see what ya got.

 

I believe all these Dakotas can use the same radiator, regardless of engine size. I suggest doing a search for CSF 3516 which has a good capacity. Been running one since 2013.

https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...adiator-3.html

 

What sucks on rockauto is I don't recognize any of the brands they offer I usually go (4 seasons) but I didn't see them listed (4 seasons) is a good quality brand.

All the old good quality brands we used to trust are gone or were bought out and cant be trusted just China junk.

 

cant find any

 

Here's a review of the CSF I mentioned. You'll see what I'm talking about with regards to the capacity. Quality-wise, I think think they're all the same nowadays, unless you want to get real spendy and get all aluminum, etc. Aluminum core with crimped plastic end caps is standard, so you might as well concentrate on cooling ability.

https://www.google.com/search?q=CSF+...hrome&ie=UTF-8 (click "more reviews," bottom right corner)

"Excellent choice for OEM replacement which is NLA2 months ago
This is the only direct fit radiator I could find for my 2000 Dakota with OEM tow package. Cooling capacity is very close to the OEM radiator because of the 1 5/8" thick core as opposed to the standard 1 1/4" core on standard radiators. Everything matched up but the seats of the radiator transmission cooler fittings are machined differently than OEM. Was still able to use the factory lines and fittings with no leaks."