Replacing radiator on '98 S70 GLT

[ZionXIX]

Here is really nice write up regarding the transmission cooler failure of an acura radiator. Lots of good pictures.
http://www.mdxers.org/forums/73-first-g ... -pics.html

I have often wondered what kind of coolers they use in those do88 radiators. If they are the nice multi layered aluminum ones with nothing but aluminum fittings I may consider going that route and never worrying about the radiator again.

[ZionXIX]

And then of course this other thread has revived just in time with fantastic OEM radiator dissection pictures.
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=71851
Notice the multi layered cooler variant instead of the brass tube. I will never buy a radiator with the brass tube style coolers if I can help it.

[cn90]

- I may have to head to junkyard and play with some radiators today?

[June]

And then of course this other thread has revived just in time with fantastic OEM radiator dissection pictures.
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=71851
Notice the multi layered cooler variant instead of the brass tube. I will never buy a radiator with the brass tube style coolers if I can help it.

Seeing that radiator and it's well designed cooler makes me glad I had the dealer put a genuine Volvo radiator in my car. Also notice how clean the Volvo coolant kept the core. My coolant tank has stayed perfectly clean with the Volvo coolant all these years if that is any indication of the rest of the system I'm glad I kept things Volvo. June

[cn90]

I took another look at abscate's photos for 1999 model, it looks like the the rubber washer sits on the INSIDE of the Nissens radiator. Kind of makes sense as this seals the coolant from getting to the outside world.

- Maybe all I need is to tighten the hex (on the cooler port) a tiny bit, just to seat the rubber seal better?
- Or maybe I should add another seal on the OUTSIDE of the radiator?

Still thinking...

Nissens-Washer.jpg (205.12 KiB) Viewed 1389 times

[abscate]

I think I can find it. I'm not sure there was a gasket or Oring

Two rubber gaskets on transmission cooler!!

[ZionXIX]

When building custom all aluminum radiators, I wonder if anyone has ever tried to weld an aluminum cooler to the aluminum radiator housing essentially making it impossible for fluids to mix due to failure with fittings or corrosion from dissimilar metals.

[cn90]

UPDATE,

Found the leak! Just replaced the “Crymoax” Radiator, installed by Volvo dealer in 2010 at 130K or so.

* Car is now 7y/57K miles later, the Cryomax rad cracked at 2 places:

1. Driver’s side Mounting tab.

2. Tiny vertical crack below the Passenger’s side Upper Outlet, only leaked coolant when hot (under pressure).
- The Cryomax looks ”OEM” with rubber mounts etc., but from what I understand it is made in Taiwan, so my theory is back in 2010 with P.O., Volvo bought the radiator from some local supplier such as Napa etc. and installed it, b/c I am not aware of Cryomax being OEM supplier.

- I thought it was leaking from the cooler fitting, so I tried all kinds of stuff (garden hose washer, copper washer etc. etc.) to no avail, only after the rad was removed then I realized the minor crack is below the upper outlet, difficult to see in the car. Interesting crack, very different from the typical circular crack that detaches from the radiator.

[erikv11]

... Just replaced the “Cryomax” Radiator, installed by Volvo dealer in 2010 at 130K or so. ...

Grrrr, that is so disappointing, another very shady move by a dealer.

I know you haven't had this car very long, PO installed that rad, but do you know: did the dealership charge the PO the full cost they would for a true blue box part? Which dealer was it?

I'm guessing they didn't have one in stock so picked it up from the local NAPA or whatever. I've heard of them doing that with axles, for example. Some people will say "hey the Volvo dealer installed it, it must be good" but thats just being blind. It's so important to know to what extent your local dealer service department can be trusted.

You can get that Cryomax rad for under $200 from IPD, it is their aftermarket part these days.

[850 LPT]

I just finished replacing the old radiator in my 98' XC and the old was also a Cryomax. Because of the mixed reviews on the Nissens, I went with an OEM one. The first thing I noticed was that there is a significant difference in overall thickness, 10mm or 3/8" to be exact. The OEM is 45mm thick, and the Cryomax is only 35mm thick.
That's quite a bit less of actual cooling area, and I don't think that's a good thing.
See the difference here:

And then I noticed that the new OEM has a cut in the top aluminum profile that goes almost all the way down through the fins to the first water channel, or whatever that is called. I wonder what the purpose for that is?

Dirk