# Ford 1998 F150 Radiator-Going on Number 5

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/ford-1998-f150-radiator-going-on-number-5/54365>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** ford, f150\
**Created:** [August 29, 2010, 9:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ford-1998-f150-radiator-going-on-number-5/54365 "2010-08-29T21:38:38Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![GWilcox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@GWilcox](https://community.cartalk.com/u/GWilcox)\
**Post date:** [August 29, 2010, 9:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ford-1998-f150-radiator-going-on-number-5/54365/1 "2010-08-29T21:38:38Z")

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The Ford dealership has replaced the radiator 3 times and a local mechanic has now replaced the radiator twice. I’ve added a kit that is supposed to eliminate the electrolysis problem, two radiators ago. The radiator replacements last about 6 months before a leak appears.  
  
  
  
 Any suggestions?

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**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\
**Post date:** [August 29, 2010, 10:06pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ford-1998-f150-radiator-going-on-number-5/54365/2 "2010-08-29T22:06:35Z")

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Has there ever been front end damage to the vehicle? If the radiator core support is tweaked, and a radiator is installed, it can put a stress on the radiator when it’s tightened down causing the radiator to open up between the core and tanks creating a leak.

Tester

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**Author:** ![GWilcox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@GWilcox](https://community.cartalk.com/u/GWilcox)\
**Post date:** [August 30, 2010, 4:55am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ford-1998-f150-radiator-going-on-number-5/54365/3 "2010-08-30T04:55:21Z")

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The Ford dealer checked the radiator mounts. No front end collisions.

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**Author:** ![lavakire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/74df32/32.png) [@lavakire](https://community.cartalk.com/u/lavakire)\
**Post date:** [December 26, 2010, 5:29pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ford-1998-f150-radiator-going-on-number-5/54365/4 "2010-12-26T17:29:24Z")

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My husband’s 1998 F150 with Trailer Towing Package has experienced the same multiple radiator replacement issue. The first radiator lasted 100,000 miles 2 subsequent radiators have failed yearly. Wondering if the Trailer Towing package included a heavy duty radiator that is not being replaced correctly during repair?

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**Author:** ![CapriRacer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/capriracer/32/22_2.png) [@CapriRacer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/CapriRacer)\
**Post date:** [December 27, 2010, 1:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ford-1998-f150-radiator-going-on-number-5/54365/5 "2010-12-27T13:24:33Z")

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Could there be a very slight head gasket leak? One that only appears after extended engine operation.