New radiator, leak at cooler fittings

[kellen302]

Just did an unexpected radiator replacement yesterday. I have the disconnect tools but still couldn't get the fittings off of the hard lines so I had to just thread them into the included adapters on the new radiator Duralast by hand. Now I am getting some leakage from the lower fitting, looks like both the fitting into the radiator and the stock fitting.
I know the quick connect fitting can be readily had, does anyone know if the adapter that came with the radiator is one of the Dorman parts as well in case I mucked up the threads?
Or should I use some flavor of thread sealant on these as it looks like at least one of the joints is a tapered thread.

Thanks!

[gadget73]

remove the extra part. Those are pipe to flare adapters. You don't have flare fittings, you have quick connects which are meant to thread directly into the radiator. They probably need to be replaced too.

[kellen302]

That certainly explains the leaking then, even on a replacement/off brand radiator? I didn't find a solid answer either way in my research and none of the fittings went together in any combination particularly nicely. Are the Dorman 800-608 fittings decent enough for quality or am I better off waiting to get Motorcraft genuine parts?

[gadget73]

Dormans are fine, or if you're bored and have 20 minutes, an O ring kit, and some decent picks you can rebuild the originals. Pop the plastic clip out, fish the O ring out, stuff a new one in, put it back together. Getting the O ring out is kind of annoying but far from impossible. No idea what size they happen to be, I just matched them up with two that were in my O ring assortment kit.

whatever you do with it, make sure the lines are clean and have no burrs or anything on them before re-assembly. A dab of ATF on the line to lube the O ring won't hurt it either.

[kellen302]

Got everything sorted, fittings came off pretty easy once I used some channel locks to press the disconnect tool all the way in, and way easier to pull the line out with the threaded end in the radiator. One of the new fittings plastic clip shattered as I put the line in so it had obviously been on the shelf for a while. Had to swap the O ring into one of my original fittings to get it on the road while a new set of fittings ships. The tapered threads in the lower radiator hole were cut a little loose so there is a minor weep there as well. I'll use some thread sealant when I replace the fitting.
Minor leak from the radiator drain plug so I had to drain everything, lube the O ring and plug, then reinstall.
Might warranty this radiator given both above issues, but I'm not sure a different radiator will actually be made any better.

[friskyfrankie]

Got everything sorted, fittings came off pretty easy once I used some channel locks to press the disconnect tool all the way in, and way easier to pull the line out with the threaded end in the radiator. One of the new fittings plastic clip shattered as I put the line in so it had obviously been on the shelf for a while. Had to swap the O ring into one of my original fittings to get it on the road while a new set of fittings ships. The tapered threads in the lower radiator hole were cut a little loose so there is a minor weep there as well. I'll use some thread sealant when I replace the fitting.
Minor leak from the radiator drain plug so I had to drain everything, lube the O ring and plug, then reinstall.
Might warranty this radiator given both above issues, but I'm not sure a different radiator will actually be made any better.

The "bane" of modern aftermarket parts - too many times they are crap!

[gadget73]

the draincock on the new rad I put in the Conti leaked. I bought a better drain from Napa and the problem was fixed. This was an aluminum rad with a common 1/4" pipe thread where the drain screwed in, so replacing it was a non-issue. I got a right angle one with a hose fitting so I can turn it easier and connect a hose to direct the juice to a bucket instead of all over the floor.