I have a 2002 Ram 1500 5.9 with 97,000 miles that is getting black spots on the radiator and eventually the black spots become little pinholes. Its got 3 black spots and they are all leaking. The radiator is 1 year old. Does anyone have any ideas? Thanks.

 

Is that what electrolysis does? Anyone have ideas? Thanks.

 

Kinda, but it sounds like you have "hot spots" from the extrusion process during manufacturing. This is typical of cheap aluminum proiducts when not cooled properly during manufacturing. Generally, these spots dont show up until you produce heat or anodize the material. In your case, your producing heat and thus weakening the hot spots.
I'd try to get an exhchange on the radiator for a better unit. It will need to be replaced. Also, when you replace it, use distilled water. it's not de-ionized water, but atleast it will be less intrusive on your aluminum than straight up tap water.

 

I will try to get a better quality radiator for it. I saw on the internet that you can check the voltage of the coolant with a voltmeter by connecting the negative lead to the negative battery post and putting the positive lead in the coolant. I tried that on the Dodge and got .30v. I decided the try it on my 2000 GMC and got .10. I dont know if that matters or not but I had some free time to mess with it. Thanks for the reply.

 

It was a bad radiator. Thanks for the help.

 

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