P80 Nissens Radiator Internal pictures V70T5M autopsy

Post by **abscate** » 30 Jan 2017, 07:32

I opened up my old Nissans radiator around the transmission cooler to satisfy my curiosity...noteworthy that the trans cooler is a simple open brass tube

Post by **mecheng** » 30 Jan 2017, 08:29

Wow, that is a pathetic! Not a very good way to exchange heat due to the low surface area. Compare it against the OEM Volvo Rad I took apart :

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=71851&p=378544&hili ... or#p378389

I would expect more from a reputable aftermarket brand

Post by **erikv11** » 30 Jan 2017, 09:01

But mecheng isn't that an oil cooler and you never actually looked at the trans cooler?

The radiator debate rages on and on but it's a lot like the axle one. Just buy OEM on the radiator (Valeo) unless you are consciously making a budget/quality (lower) choice.

Post by **abscate** » 30 Jan 2017, 09:17

I have to say - Im tempted to put a bead of JB Weld around that gasket, recrimp it, and see if it holds pressure to 1 atm. If anyone wants to guinea pig it on a their car for a cheap repair, Ill send it for free after I do that.

My OEM failed the same way, at the crimp. Resealing these might not be crazy. The AL tab open really easily with a screw driver - takes 30 seconds

Post by **mecheng** » 30 Jan 2017, 10:09

abscate wrote:I have to say - Im tempted to put a bead of JB Weld around that gasket, recrimp it, and see if it holds pressure to 1 atm. If anyone wants to guinea pig it on a their car for a cheap repair, Ill send it for free after I do that.

My OEM failed the same way, at the crimp. Resealing these might not be crazy. The AL tab open really easily with a screw driver - takes 30 seconds

Can you open the other tank, to Erik11 point, I may have opened the oil cooler side. JB weld doesn't last on Rads, but it does work in the short term, sometimes.

In the end, the cooler probably doesn't really matter that much unless you do a lot of hot weather driving, given that these Volvos are all Aluminum anyways.

Post by **abscate** » 30 Jan 2017, 14:04

No oil cooler on the other side, since the 1999+ have biscuit oil coolers on the engine block (and more hoses)

I have observed no temperature variation in AT fluid on this car, regardless of outside temperature, correct.

Post by **wizechatmgr** » 30 Jan 2017, 16:31

*Adds to list of things to only buy OEM for Volvo*

Post by **mecheng** » 31 Jan 2017, 06:46

I would think the Trans cooler on the OEM Rad is the same, because the transmission fluid requires cooling no question, the oil for the most part does not unless you are driving hard in hot climates.

I have an aftermarket rad, I'm not concerned, but I am really curious to see more brands internally. I'm sure the aftermarket coolers are adequate for most conditions.

Post by **JimBee** » 26 Mar 2017, 18:23

I've been wondering about the interior designs, too, since I'm going to replace my OEM (96 850 turbo) radiator, just for maintenance.
If the pictures in the following links are what I searched on, it looks like there's a standard double tube design inside the end tanks for oil and trans fluid.

The links I searched show different radiator formats with side tanks for cooling fluids. I searched separately on Nissens and Valeo but the photos aren't captioned with the makes so manufacturers are not perfectly clear. In all the photos the interior designs look the same, using a dual tube configuration. If that's the standard, then the care of soldering could affect quality as far as fluids leaking into coolant or reverse. Cooling efficiency wouldn't likely be any different from aftermarket to OEM. Of the 2 tubes, the inside one apparently has a "corn cob" surface, providing more cooling area for the fluid flowing through the interior tube as the radiator coolant flows past the corn cob dimples on the outside to draw away heat. The poster claiming the most knowledge does mention a different type that has plates with tubes, but I couldn't find any pictures.

This link seems to have the best discussion.
http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/so-what ... 66307.html
https://images.search.yahoo.com/yhs/sea ... tion=click

War Iron · Post by **War Iron** » 27 Mar 2017, 15:43

abscate wrote: ↑30 Jan 2017, 07:32 I opened up my old Nissans radiator around the transmission cooler to satisfy my curiosity...noteworthy that the trans cooler is a simple open brass tube

Wonder how much coolant movement there is through the middle of that double-wall tube. Could be quite a bit given the position of the bottom hose port, right next to the end of the cooling tube.