98 v70GLT Opinions on Radiators when on a budget

[j-dawg]

i bought a Nissens and it's fine after......two months. not a long testing period, but handing it it seemed as well-built as whatever it was that came out. i don't expect it to fail any time soon based on what i've heard about them.

if you want to try a probably-safer sealing solution - and i've suggested this recently to others, because i'm curious about its effectiveness - JB Weld sells an epoxy putty, JB WaterWeld, that will seal underwater and claims to be resistant to "most chemicals". i bought a stick of this when my radiator tank was cracked. my intention was to drive until the radiator was hot and the crack opened up, then apply the stuff, and let it cure for a day. i had already bought the replacement radiator, though, and i had a good opportunity to install it one week, so i never ran my experiment.

i don't think the risk of the JB Weld entering the coolant system is too high - as long as the engine is off, i'd expect it to cure without circulating - but who knows. i think there's no band-aid that's gonna be as good as a new, quality radiator, but i'd still be interested in learning if this particular band-aid was effective.

[mecheng]

Valeo is the oem Volvo rad. They are well made and last relatively long for a radiator

[rspi]

I recently found a newish Nissen rad iI the junk yard so that is a good option. It cost me $53. I was surprised at the high price but much lower than new.

[Jazzop]

There are several decent-looking radiators in my local junkyard right now. I would have no reservations about putting one of them in my own car. I can get one for about $20, and it would cost probably $20 to ship. PM me if you want to go that route.

[Ben850]

I went with the Nissens in my Turbo wagon while I had most of the engine compartment apart.

It was 17 degrees below zero out side and I had limited time to use a friends garage. I had seen some drips at the tank seems.

It was a little expensive, but I needed immediately and they were able to do it for me.

FCP was able to over night the Nissens and I was/am impressed with the fitment. The fittings were perfect for the turbo, and the trans lines. The a/c condenser and intercooler bolted up to it with no problems

I also notice it seemed to have wider cores in the center which can't be bad. I also replace the thermostat and temp. sensor.

Everything heats up and stays right at 3 o'clock.

6 Months later and it seems great.

Nicely packaged. This box was inside another.

Looks good too.

[TRuck]

Thanks thanks all. really helpful and informative.
Ben, thanks for the pics...nice.
Jazzop> PM sent

here is a pic of the green apple martini seeping ....because we all like pics..right?

[cn90]

Different car but the Nissens radiator in my 1998 BMW 528i was installed in May 2006, 8 years later, rock solid.

[TRuck]

I ordered the Nissens. I think it is better to start at "0" with a new one with a warranty.

thanks again Jazzop for your generous offer.

thx all for the input

[TRuck]

So I installed the NIssens today. FCP is lightening fast Here. Ordered saturday got it wednesday with standard shipping. Sweet!

Thought I would post a few pics and thoughts.

Everything went fine except that ALL the bolts holding radiator were so rusted I had to replace them.
Proabably tripled the time spent.

The clips on radiator shattered when I tried to remove the screws.

Lowe's has some 1/4" clips that worked very well in the "Auto" nuts and bolts. But be sure you get the right thread on the 1/4" bolt !.....or you will have to go BACK to Lowe's

ALSO: the Main bolts that attach radiator to car frame were so rusted they broke off the nut which was attached to car frame. This was even after much PB blasting. I would PB. let it sit. turn a few times. Then repeat for 40 minutes or so ...and they still broke off. I had to break the plastic flang/mount on the old radiator, and hack saw the nut to get it out. Then put new nuts and bolts in. Just a head's up to anyone who may be doing this on an old car like mine.

This is probably all addressed somewhere on the forum here, but I didn't see it.

In the video on the FCP website Ben makes it look sooooooooo easy....he doesn't have to deal with rusty nuts!

[TRuck]

meant to put these up too

New frame mount set up.

sweetness

Thanks for the help!