98 v70GLT Opinions on Radiators when on a budget

Post by **TRuck** » 12 Jul 2014, 12:43

Hi all,

Pretty sure I need to replace my radiator. I have been loosing coolant..last night discovered the place..it is seeping from between seams (or seems to be the seams) on radiator above petcock (drain).

I am on super tight budget. I love FCP, but cant swing the price right now.

Looking on ebay at some like one of these:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/RADIATOR-FOR-VO ... d3&vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Brand-New-1-Row ... 5d42df9be9

Thanks for your opinions,ideas, feedback, suggestions.

My old black beauty here has 260k on the the clock. Want to keep her alive, but have limited funds to keep up with the various ailments.

thanks much

Post by **osman** » 12 Jul 2014, 15:14

Do you have access to a junkyard nearby, I can go pull one for $20 in about 15 minutes.

Post by **dosbricks** » 12 Jul 2014, 15:31

I understand budget constraints and that we must all live within fiscal reality. I put a $115 Behr on my wagon recently and it definitely lacked the quality of the OE. It was Chinese made and the fittings for the trans cooling lines were machined incorrectly by a whisker so that the retaining clips would not snap over the flange--yes I know the correct orientation for the clips and they were replaced just as they came off the OE. I had to file the clips a bit to get them to snap over the fittings.

The core was also about 1/16" thinner (front to back) than the OE. So whereas the temp gauge formally rested at the 3:00 o'clock position, it now runs at about the 2:50 position which doesn't really worry me because this is a NA engine and doesn't labor under the same load as a turbo. If I am in error here I would appreciate advice from the board, because I would send it back in a heartbeat if I thought it was going to harm my engine.

Given these factors, had I to do it over, I would definitely pay more for a Nissens if not the full price for the OE. Just my perspective at this point since we have no plans to get rid of the car.

Osman's advice to locate a junkyard radiator may be your best avenue. Erie vo vo is a recycler located in upstate NY and can ship to you in one day. They sell on ebay and guarantee their parts.

Post by **mecheng** » 12 Jul 2014, 15:58

Nissen makes a good rad for the money. Ebay stuff: who knows. I will say there is a lot of labour to replace a radiator so if you plan to keep your car, I wouldn't buy the cheapest

Post by **abscate** » 12 Jul 2014, 18:20

Nissens from a local shop that you can return if you need to. There's no free lunch with major stuff like this in ebay.

If you are squeezing 10s of bucks in your parts budget, these are not the best cars for that mindset. There are some big dollar fixes on these cars that you can get around. They are much cheaper than the upscale space they share with BMW , MB, Audi but they aren't Japanese or Fords.

Post by **shaker_chi** » 12 Jul 2014, 21:03

If your GLT is a turbo I would NOT go on the cheap. It is a PIA to replace and it's not something you want to do again in a year or 2. I would pick up an o/e from a junk yard before I would get a made in China aftermarket. If it is an N/A, the job is much easier and takes about 2 hours.

Post by **TRuck** » 13 Jul 2014, 01:22

Thanks much guys.
I really really appreciate the input.

You are all right. The radiator is important....i should get a good one. I don't want to funk around and do a do-over sooner than later.

So...I will not go with the ebay..

I don't rely on my car for work. So I can take a little time..save some$$ to purchase.

A couple of you mentioned Nisssens....FCP has them...but the reviews on their site are pretty NOT good.
http://www.fcpeuro.com/products/volvo-r ... -c70-turbo
thoughts?

As an interim stop-gap....sealants? I have always assumed they would ultimately create more problems down the road. Opinions?

I am going to see if I can find a junkyard.
@osman...I'll give you $60 plus shipping...plus a beer if you are ever in NYC!
@dosbricks...I will check them out.

In Redhook, Brooklyn....there is not too much near (junkyard wise)....we have everything else in the world you never knew you needed at your fingertips 24/7, but when it comes to the luxury of an affordable junkyard...they are hard to come by.

any radiator opinions/leads are welcome.

thank you!

Post by **abscate** » 13 Jul 2014, 03:23

Sealer...no no no no no

We don't recommend the internal type sealers in these engines. There are success stories but there are also some horror stories with these products. If you can find you leak and apply epoxy or something from the outside you can go for it, but once you have the rad out, you may well just replace it.

Post by **TRuck** » 13 Jul 2014, 12:20

....as suspected.
Thank you.

beigg · Post by **beigg** » 13 Jul 2014, 16:23

I bought and installed a VISTA-PRO Ready-Rad last year. It recently failed. not even a full years use, brand new radiator at that.

OEM Volvo is all I recommend.