Thread: Radiator replacement

I think you're right in that copper transfers heat better than aluminium, but a copper radiator also has the solder inside it which causes issues internally and with all the cooling issues these cars have probably not worth it.

Aluminium is lighter, and is typically used in race cars. I'd do it. But, that's me. Make sure you've got some good fans on it and give it a whirl.

I just got my old one recored. Asked around about aluminium ones and the cheaper copper ones and got told either buy original or get old one fixed as all the cheaper options will fail on you. The cheaper copper ones usually have plastic tanks as do a lot of aluminium ones.

Unless you go alisport or something well built (just as expensive) I wouldn't buy it.

I spent 540 to get my old one recored. Yea it's expensive but the guy is reputable and a LR specialist here advised me to go that way and stay away from cheaper ones being that tdi really need care in the cooling department. I know yours is v8 but possibly same principle. If they are same radiator then face the same issues

Thankyou Fausto79

A mate of mine had told me the same as you actually.
And given i do a lot of low range driving, cooling is absolutely a must.
So i will step away from the alloy one i think.

Whats your thoughts on a pressure tested second hand one?
Buying into more trouble down the track?

Im not a wealthy bloke so am thinking perhaps getting a second hand one.
Getting my old one reconditioned as time/money permits and then replacing.
Sure i will have a spare radiator at that point but it will give me a window of time to reco my old one properly.

If it's a good second hand one i guess it would work but hard to know. They are afterall pretty old cars. If you look at my cylinder head thread you will find a pic of my old radiator core. Had no leaks or anything but was pretty much completely blocked. Some of the fins were starting to crumble.

Depends how well looked after the car was and even so maybe at least get it flushed.

You could try MR automotive. They do second hand parts and have a reputation to upkeep, so they may have one there in your price range.

A second hand one that has been successfully pressure tested could still have enough muck in the core to give you an overheating problem. (I think 20% will do it.)To be on the safe side, you'd want to get a s/h one rodded before installation.
Don.

Originally Posted by Don 130

A second hand one that has been successfully pressure tested could still have enough muck in the core to give you an overheating problem. (I think 20% will do it.)To be on the safe side, you'd want to get a s/h one rodded before installation.
Don.

Thats a good point.

To buy a second hand one and get it reconditioned will cost around the same as a new one i suspect. No cheap way around this problem i guess.
In for a penny, in for a pound.
Might as well start looking for a new one.
Sigh..... means i have 2 choices until the car is fixed.

1) Drive the wifeys kia.
2) Walk everywhere.

And im getting sore feet!!!

New one will set you back from 700 and above.

If you ring around you can get recore for a few hundred less and if a good fix is just as good.

I rang a few places n 540 was not cheapest price but was close to it enough that i was happy to pay the extra 60 for someone i know does a good job from my old days as a workshop lakky in the 4wd tour industry.

Like i said, give mrautomotive a call. I've bought a few new and second hand parts off them. Very fast and good.

Just don't go the cheaper alloy or copper plastic ones.

Thanks mate i will give them a call Monday and see what they can do for me.