300Tdi Radiator options

[TonyC]

Hi All,
The radiator in my 300Tdi 130 needs replacing.
What's the best option?
Recore, standard or otherwise.
New, aftermarket or genuine
Given that my intercooler is leaking again is a full width radiator and a front mount intercooler a useful option? Or is the standard size in good order up to the task.
I have no great desire to up my fueling and I don't tow much so it's only standard hot Australian summer cooling loads.

Thanks

Tony

[PAT303]

Go a 4 fin recore,if mine ever rots outs thats what I'm doing.I wouldn't buy an aftermarket one,a lot of companys around here have used the bargain priced knocksoffs and they are rubbish. Pat

[camel_landy]

I'd just go for a re-core...

FWIW - You can get a 5 core in there... That's what I did. ;)

M

[BigJon]

Go a 4 fin recore,if mine ever rots outs thats what I'm doing.I wouldn't buy an aftermarket one,a lot of companys around here have used the bargain priced knocksoffs and they are rubbish. Pat

Surely a 4 row core is an aftermarket item?

[brianwood]

I went for a 4 core, roughly 100mm wider, threw out the little intercooler and put in a huge one in front of the radiator. Removed cowling and put in large electric thermo fan. Upped the fueling and boost. HOWEVER, when pushed up hills on warm days towing, it will overheat. I suggest the intercooler in front of the radiator is restricting airflow quite a bit. Also, I feel the electric fan doesn't work quite as well as the viscous variety with the cowling. Just some food for thought...

[JamesH]

I went for a 4 core, roughly 100mm wider, threw out the little intercooler and put in a huge one in front of the radiator. Removed cowling and put in large electric thermo fan. Upped the fueling and boost. HOWEVER, when pushed up hills on warm days towing, it will overheat. I suggest the intercooler in front of the radiator is restricting airflow quite a bit. Also, I feel the electric fan doesn't work quite as well as the viscous variety with the cowling. Just some food for thought...


When I recored my 300tdi Defender I asked about getting a 4 core unit in place of the standard 3 core. My mechanic talked me out of this idea, he sold me on the 3 cores the guy he uses puts in. Well, i guess he would but he wasn't keen on the idea that a 4 core unit put in there was going to necessarily do a better job than 3 cores in the same space.

[camel_landy]

The standard fit is a 3 core but IIRC there is an 'African' spec available which is either 4 or 5 core.

M

[Sly]

Pay the money and put a 4 core in, you will never have trouble in warm weather ( like its up there now). I got one done in Wang,arownd jan/feb cost $600, the wife tows a big 3 horse float with 3.9 auto and temp is never a problem.