3rd radiator at 240K

Post by **songzunhuang** » 29 Feb 2016, 01:33

So last week my 2nd Volvo OEM radiator gave way. What's up with that? The aluminum part was fine, but the plastic neck connected to the upper radiator hose cracked clean through. This left my daughter (who drives the car now) stranded. My wife picked her up and I had to go tend to the car after work.

So in the dark, I was able to get it reconnected to the little bit of plastic that was there and drive the 20 minutes home. It was leaking a bit, but it worked long enough.

It took some poking about to get the proper radiator. I ordered it from the local auto store over the phone and when they were not sure which one to get, I had them order both of them. The multiple ones I ordered didn't have the oil and and transmission coolers. I started to compare the different radiators and one store had one that was for an XC, but it had the right coolers so I ended up getting one made in China! It had a lifetime warranty and I guess Volvo is owned by the Chinese now.

It takes a bit of doing to get the radiator off of the car. Here's what it looks like in process, a bit of a mess.
The radiator, turbo intercooler, A/C condenser and the electric fan are all connected to the radiator.

: This is the scene in my driveway as I replaced the radiator in my V70 T5.

Here's hoping this radiator lasts the rest of the life of the car.

: Old one had the plastic upper connector broken off. There was a metal insert,but it broke right at the end of the metal. The new radiator (made in China) is on the right.

Post by **erikv11** » 29 Feb 2016, 07:33

How long did the Volvo (2nd) one last?

Post by **benpineapple** » 29 Feb 2016, 07:50

When/how did the connector break, causing the problem described?

Post by **scot850** » 29 Feb 2016, 07:59

I would check all your engine mounts. The top hose connecter breaks in my opinion as the engine move the most at the top and the top hose as it gets older becomes stiff and has no give which loads up that top connection more than the lower one.

Specifically check the condition of the mount under the crank pulley and the top torque mount.

Neil

woodsytf · Post by **woodsytf** » 29 Feb 2016, 08:06

i had a similar experience with my local advance, auto-zone and o'reilly's auto stores . ALL three had the wrong part for a 2000 xc70 i owned. it was a frustrating day, let me tell ya.... their computer systems had some error in them and we found the proper radiator after bringing my spoiled unit in and opening a few boxes in the store-room. and the intercooler/radiator sandwich adds a slight degree of difficulty. my '95 N/A 850 has a chinese aftermarket radiator with more than 80k miles on it... so far, so good!

scot has a good point too, my old engine mounts probably help my old radiator fail because it happened at the hose necks.

mine had similarities just like those two, just don't give the hose clamps the 'gorilla-grip' and tighten them properly, not as tight as you can make them.

Post by **mecheng** » 29 Feb 2016, 09:54

Made in China or not, all plastic end cap radiators have a very finite life. I wish they still made one piece radiators like back in the old days, I really don't understand how we have gotten worst with time.

I've always used aftermarket (Chinese ) radiators on all my vehicles because the OEMs never last any longer, (sometimes less) and the cooling capacity is equivalent. I'd rather have my money go into the materials not labour for such a part, and with a plastic cap, they are all more or less different shades of garbage IMO.

Post by **dosbricks** » 29 Feb 2016, 12:03

I was dismayed to find the Behr radiator I installed in my wagon was made in China. The other car has an Auto Zone which is probably the same. It's rather sad to be forced to install cheap parts on cars that were originally made to high standards.

Post by **songzunhuang** » 29 Feb 2016, 12:10

erikv11 wrote:How long did the Volvo (2nd) one last?

1st radiator lasted until 88K, when it was replaced. So the second radiator lasted pretty long at 152K miles. Still, I'm a little surprised as the car has been in Northern California all it's life and the weather is not what I'd call "harsh".

Now the car has 240K miles and it's got a non-oem radiator (3rd one). It's got a lifetime warranty so we'll see what that means...

: The Chinese radiator with a lifetime warranty.

Post by **songzunhuang** » 29 Feb 2016, 12:13

benpineapple wrote:When/how did the connector break, causing the problem described?

It broke right at the connection for the upper radiator hose. It looks like the plastic just fatigued. It was backed by a metal part, and the break was right where the metal ended.

Here's a picture of the part that came off.

: Upper radiator connection where the break occured.

Post by **JDS60R** » 29 Feb 2016, 12:29

Wow - look at the corrosion on the metal part - What are you using for antifreeze??

If the corrosion got through , or on the backside of that metal ring it would fracture the plastic easily.