Yep the vertical cooling tubes are mighty small and can get blocked with muck and sludge out of the cooling system if it hasn;t had reasonably regular changes of fluids.
You could try to flush it out by backflushing with a hose etc but it may be best to bite the bullet and get a new rad. Haave you pressure tested the rad etc ? It may be that the cap is not sealing properly do you have to top up the water after a trip ?