TD5 Radiator question

evening all, I have a small radiator leak on my 2000 Defender. Not an actual leak to the point of noticeable coolant loss but there is coolant staining on the radiator so am thinking I might just replace it. I’ve not had one go before, do they go suddenly or just get progressively worse? Considering leaving it a while.

Also there seems to be two variants on radiator, one for early (PDK000100) and one presumably for later vehicles (PCC001020). One of the later ones advertised here on fleabay (https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/291663622951) specifically states “This part has an outlet on the lower left corner, some
models did not have this and will need to be blanked off.”, I’m assuming that this is a later unit that “will fit” but they mean the early ones didn’t have that outlet?

Before replacing the rad, after a decent run check and see how hard the top hose is.

lynall said:

Before replacing the rad, after a decent run check and see how hard the top hose is.

Click to expand...

How hard should it be?

Hard is okay rock hard means you have bigger issues.
I wasnt being cryptic (I hate people that do that) but leaking rad was first sign of my head gasket going on my old td5 disco.

I didnt actually change the rad until after the head gasket was replaced but reckon the pressure is what caused the rad to start to fail.

lynall said:

Hard is okay rock hard means you have bigger issues.
I wasnt being cryptic (I hate people that do that) but leaking rad was first sign of my head gasket going on my old td5 disco.

I didnt actually change the rad until after the head gasket was replaced but reckon the pressure is what caused the rad to start to fail.

Click to expand...

Good advice.

lynall said:

Hard is okay rock hard means you have bigger issues.
I wasnt being cryptic (I hate people that do that) but leaking rad was first sign of my head gasket going on my old td5 disco.

I didnt actually change the rad until after the head gasket was replaced but reckon the pressure is what caused the rad to start to fail.

Click to expand...

Thanks Lynall I’ll give it a run in the week and check