radiator end tank exploded

[Bosco]

Why?
My brother's end tank (on the passenger side) blew a large hole in itself. We're replacing the rad cap, thermostat and, of course, the radiator.

Any idea what would cause that kind of rupture in such a spot?

This is a '92 N/A Legacy.

[Legacy777]

It's normal....well maybe not a rupture, but that spot is pretty normal for cracking because the hot engine coolant comes out and hits that end tank making it brittle over time.

[BXSS]

A crack could be caused be old age, but a radiator "blowing-up" could be caused by a blown head gasket.

My cousin had a Acura Legend coupe that was "blowing up" radiators & it was caused by a bad headgasket.

[Bosco]

well, that's food for thought. Thanks.
The used radiator we put in seems to hold water, and all seems well. We'll cross our fingers about the HG. There have been no other signs of HG issues as of yet.

[dzx]

had the same thing happen to my car a couple years ago. I was driving and coolant temperatures were fine then all of a sudden the radiator end tank blew large crack all the way yp and down. Headgaskets were fine tho. I ran with a n/a radiator in the car for a while until i could find a turbo replacement.