Hi I'm a new member..the radiator in my 2003 Ram1500 just blew..I have already replaced it 2 times! What can be the issue....my boyfriend did the work he's not a certified mechanic but not a dummy...help!!!

 

Open the hood, with the motor stone cold, feel the upper radiator hose. (give it a squeeze) Start the engine, check the hose again. Does it get hard as a rock almost immediately? If so, bad head gasket.

 

Thankyou will check

 

Sorry to hear you guys are having unusual issues.
What Hey You offered is great advice sounds probable BUT if so, you can verify, trouble shoot before just pulling the heads and replacing gaskets. Hard hose is a 'clue' (and a likely clue at that)
Troubleshoot further before replacing any parts. You've already thrown a few radiators at it and even if they were free, you did a lot of work and are still with a vehicle that is not able to go cross country let alone cross town.

Please, please , I can't seem to say it enough, please return and tell us what you find, how you found it, how you fixed it and how much it cost you in 2024 dollars.
good luck and I can't wait to hear of the outcome, even if you end up taking it to a shop, let us know how it end$...
cheers

 

a little more information might also help.
What engine, how many miles, and overall condition (is she 'cherry' , a 'beater with a heater ' or somewhere in between.
CEL, is there any dash warning lights and do you know what they are trying to tell you (us)?
Have they (CEL, check engine light) been on for a while and have you been ignoring them? How long?

BTW, welcome to the forum!