99 Volvo s80 volvo radiator doesn't fit

skunkd84 · Post by **skunkd84** » 10 Jul 2014, 16:51

Hello. I'm new and had hoped I would never have to ask a question, but I find myself with a problem and am unable to find an answer. My problem started when I had a small leak on the side of my radiator and so I ordered one for about $200 and was unable to install it because it was much thicker than the one I took out. Got one from the Volvo dealership and it was just like the one I had ordered. The dealer ship searched for the one using my VIN # so I thought it would be a perfect match. I cannot read the part # on the old one. Its a 99 Volvo S80 non-turbo. Has anyone heard of anything like this? Any help would be much appreciated.

Post by **kahl** » 10 Jul 2014, 19:31

Did you just compare the new radiator to the old? or is it too thick to slide into the radiator slides? I was just thinking you are replacing a replacement that may have been thinner than the original.

skunkd84 · Post by **skunkd84** » 10 Jul 2014, 20:36

Thank you...the alluminum(sp) part of the original is 1" thick. Both of the new ones are about 1 1/2" thick. The plastic part has about the same width so I went ahead and tried to install the one from the dealership and had similar issues with the plastic divider between rad and condenser lineing up, they fit while on the outside . I don't have slides I'm trying to make a sandwich before I attach it to the body. Does that sound right?

THAI UNG · Post by **THAI UNG** » 11 Jul 2014, 17:57

As long as the plastic parts are identical,there would be no problem.Because I did mine with the aftermarket radiator which has a wider core than the original one and it fit perfect,that was 3years ago.
I believed I assemble it first before install.Hope it helps...

skunkd84 · Post by **skunkd84** » 19 Oct 2014, 16:26

sorry so long to respond, that did help, some how I had the plastic frame backwards. Thanks for the help.