I've posted this elsewhere, but my (somewhat limited) experience with both suppliers on my 93 850 NA was/is not great with either brand. If I were to do this again, I would look to find a good price on an OE part.
I bought a Nissens from FCP, and it leaked out of the box from near the top hose. I sent it back (return cost from Canada was almost the price of the unit) and had to pay the shipping on the new Behr part. It was/is a pain as even with new Volvo top pipe (and even tried aftermarket pipes) it is a swine to get it not to leak from the top hose. It took a lot of fiddling to eventually stop the constant weeping (and not just from me in frustration!!). By the way, I've never had a problem with FCP, their help or even the cost of their shipping to Canada.
It was a year ago now since I tossed the OE unit, so I don't know if this is true for it also, but I noticed when I was working on my 2000 V70R that the OE radiator in that has a metal (brass?) insert in the top pipe to help it maintain it's shape when you tighten the top pipe clamp. Had no problems with this. So if the OE part for the 850 has this I'd opt for that for this alone!!
My thoughts are that the aftermarket parts have a flimsy top hose mount that collapses out of round when you tighten it.
With the benefit of hindsite, it is possible what I thought was a fault with the Nissen radiator may have been the same problem. Either way, my vote is OE, so now need to find a cheap supplier!!
Good luck with whichever way you go!
Neil.
theWIFES_S70 wrote:Steve, which radiator are you going to get? Are you considering getting one of those shiny race radiators from eBay?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/GPI-Radiator-93 ... mx&vxp=mtr
I feel like a radiator leaking on a 5-speed is so wrong. Less ports being used. Should be a simpler machine with less things to go wrong... Glad your low coolant light caught this thing. Which reminds me... I should probably replace that sensor in the Spring, just to be on the safe side.
Gee- but look at the price of that!!!
