Radiater/ cracked head

BSCVOLS

MEMBER
1997 CHEVROLET ASTRO
6 CYL
4WD
AUTOMATIC
130,000 MILES

I was told today that in my 97 chevy blazer 6. Liter, that I had oil in my radiater, and that my head was cracked, there was a little rust in there from previosly. Is it cracked and should it run over 500. Dollars?

Monday, January 10th, 2011 AT 11:23 PM

3 Replies

DAVE'S BIG BACKYARD!

MECHANIC
262 POSTS

It might be a leaking trans cooler inside the radiator

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Tuesday, January 11th, 2011 AT 1:49 AM

MHPAUTOS

MECHANIC
31,937 POSTS

If the trans cooler is leaking the coolant will normally get a pink frothy look, if engine oil it will be dark and ****my due to the increased carbon content, if the head is cracked it will cost closer to 1K depending on the severity and location of the damage, unfortunately only a crack test with the head off will give you the full extent of the problem.

Mark (mhpautos)

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Monday, February 7th, 2011 AT 9:09 AM

DAVE'S BIG BACKYARD!

MECHANIC
262 POSTS

You can allways tell if you have a blown head gasket buy the way the car will run, it will leak into a cylinder and cause it not to fire on that cylinder, and trust me you will no the difference, p.S have they torn down the engine? If not theres no way to tell if its a blown head gasket or a craked head or a cracked block or what it is. And yes if it is a cooler it should look pink if your tans fluid is not burnt, if it is then it will be black.

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Tuesday, February 8th, 2011 AT 12:10 AM