[jaybird2437]

Can anyone out there give me a solid answer about my radiator problems? my 2002 chevy silverado z71 with a 5.3L engine had the front section of the radiator punctured. it is only hissing no liquid leaks so I am assuming this is a freon leak. Will this only effect my A/C and not cause my engine to over heat? my model of truck also appears to have 2 different radiators, stacked one in front of the other, the back one appears to be the main radiator cooling the engine thus causing the front one which was slightly punctured to only lead freon? any answer to this would be fantastic!

 

[randomsandwhich]

Well, if you have been driving it and still have coolant in your radiator and still get heat from the heater core then its probably something else. Trace the lines, they will tell you what its for. Some trucks can have several radiators, one for engine, transmission, a/c. If you can trace the hoses to the compressor for the a/c then you have a freon leak. Eventually once the freon leaks out completely the compressor won't turn on and you won't have a/c. I would try and get it fixed, because the freon is also a lubricant for the compressor, and when it does run low your could do some harm to the compressor.

 

[phoebeisis]

You are right- it is the radiator that cools the freon-gets the heat out of it- heat it picked up in your truck's cab- so now it dumps the heat outside the truck.
I think AC people call it a condensing coil- could be wrong about that- but...

Won't hurt you motor.
Charlie