Why our stock radiators suck....

[doonze]

I think the pic says it all, but it blew out right there above the drain plug and leaked like crazy under pressure. Problem was, once pressure was released out of the system it would stop leaking. So it would leak while driving, then not leak but just a few drops while parked, so it took me a few days to catch on. In fact I found it because I was letting it idle while using the cig lighter for a portable air compressor and it started POURING out... Course if it had always been that bad I think I would have noticed...so I'm thinking it blew once and for all right then and there.

The good news?? The new one solved this problem by being all aluminium in the problem area....

Much better design if you ask me.....

 

[CHEESYPOOFS]

yea i remember when i had to replace mine at about 160k. What a pain in the ass that was. :

 

[96 XOD Prerunner]

mine just hit 200200 mi. and my radiator still taking it like a champ. although i noticed cooant leaking from the head. but i must say the head gaskets lasted 200k so not bad. im gonna replace the engine in stead of just getting the head gasket replaced or doing a rebuild

 

[Currency]

Mine has 183,5xx miles on it. It's leaks on the plastic. Top left side leaks where it goes from plastic to aluminum and where the metal line comes into it on the driver side has a small leak.

I believe at one time it was a 50/50 mix, Tested it 3 days ago to get "bad" sign so I still need to flush it. But someone added water over time so it's a nice sticky clear liquid now lol

About how much did the new one cost you Doonze? If you don't mind my asking, I seen them on ebay for about $80 I think. May not be all aluminum though.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Where did you find an all aluminum radiator that is a direct fit?

 

[doonze]

Where did you find an all aluminum radiator that is a direct fit?

Autozone, for like $119. I know I could have got one cheaper on ebay, but I needed it NOW, and i wanted someplace I could take it back to if needed.

 

[BrooklynBay]

That not a bad price for an aluminum radiator. What kind of warranty does it have?

 

[doonze]

I think it's lifetime.... if i remember. I'll have to check... I need to know that answer too I guess...! LOL

 

[doonze]

Yep, I checked, limited lifetime, pretty much it's covered as long as it's not "damaged" by rocks, exploding fans, etc....

 

[jd4242]

are the side tanks all aluminum?

 

[jd4242]

this was the one i was planning on running but if that one has aluminum sides its a little cheaper.
$155
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...0456543917&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK:MEWAX:IT

 

[Spdrcer34]

I posted that radiator on here a while back.

It's a great deal....IF you have a Manual Transmission.

It is not a Heavy Duty, Automatic Transmission Radiator.

It is about 2/3 the thickness as a HD A/T Radiator.

And because of that, the fan shroud is different for the M/T Radiators compared to the A/T.

Ryan

 

[jd4242]

yea i dont think they make an a/t one.i run an efan and an aftermarket trans cooler so i dont use an a/t radiator
Posted via Mobile Device

 

[doonze]

No, the side tanks are still plastic, it's just that the area where the stockers are plastic and fail so often is metal on this one, not plastic. Course I have a lifetime coverage, so if for some reason the plastic "tanks" crack, I get a new radiator! That's one of the main reasons I bought from AZ, and I have a rewards card so I get a 20% discount in the end...

 

[Currency]

I guess I will be getting one like you have next month. I hope it doesn't dip below freezing by then but my luck it will.

I pulled in a gas station today, Got a drink and some smokes. Come out to see a three foot long puddle, a nice drip. All from my radiator but now it's not leaking. I don't know what the deal is. I need to flush it to get the mostly water and a small amount of anti-freeze out of it before freezing temps arrive but I figure it would make my leak worse to the point where I won't be able to drive it until it's replaced.

Damn stock radiators

 

[Currency]

Just thought I would update everyone. My radiator may not be able to handle a flush with it already leaking. I had planned on flushing it because it's mostly water anyways and water will freeze at 32 degrees. Well a few days ago I topped of my radiator and my overflow. Now my overflow is empty so I won't be flushing it for fear my leak will be worse and equal to a waste of time and money.

I'll bite the bullet next month or sooner if I win the lottery. Then knowing my luck it's gonna dip below 32 and bust my radiator. Guess stuff really does happen

 

[doonze]

Just thought I would update everyone. My radiator may not be able to handle a flush with it already leaking. I had planned on flushing it because it's mostly water anyways and water will freeze at 32 degrees. Well a few days ago I topped of my radiator and my overflow. Now my overflow is empty so I won't be flushing it for fear my leak will be worse and equal to a waste of time and money.

I'll bite the bullet next month or sooner if I win the lottery. Then knowing my luck it's gonna dip below 32 and bust my radiator. Guess stuff really does happen

Just fyi, with water in there, your radiator is the LEAST of your worries...your block is what I would worry about...you REALLY don't want just water in there if it dips far below freezing..... you REALLY REALLY don't.

 

[Currency]

I know going to try and get it flushed tomorrow because it may snow here this weekend. Still have to get the T/C shift motor and MAF from a friends 95. Rock auto showed those parts numbers matching but that radiator won't work in mine.

It seems mine leaks bad when I first start it but only some of the time. Left a puddle in the parking space and at the gas station again today. Then found a power steering leak but someone gave me the line to fix that leak

I lined some computer hardware upgrades up so I should be able to make enough to get those parts from my buddy.

I should be able to have my radiator replaced next month sometime, But I'll most likely be changing them outside and will replace my radiator hoses and clamps at the same time.

 

[fallenauthority]

I had to put a new radiator in my 96 at 196,000 miles. Got it from RadiatiorBarn.com for 150 shipped. Works like a champ, although I still have a small coolant leak from what appears to be somewhere around the waterpump. Not bad for a truck with 205,000 on it now