Radiator advice please!!!

[Bloodyaussie]

I am need of a overhaul on my cooling system but the budget is low at the moment..

With other costs like a decent temp gauge and new thermostat good coolant the cost of a decent radiator is just not on the cards..

Has anyone had experience with some of those ones on ebay??

Seen some 3 core ones but am not sure.. My spare one has been checked out and is not worth repairing as I would have liked to have stayed with a copper/brass one but$$$$$$

[stevogq]

ba try this "rapidfix" ive used it on a cracked starter motor in the middle of the bay works a treat for small jobs, its $30 and sell at westar trucks in campelfield

http://youtu.be/bSmgEkbp5eM

[threedogs]

Have you rang Norm at Aussie desert Coolers, he has a range for different budgets

[Bloodyaussie]

Been doing a bit of reading and many say not to go oversize with the radiator... ??

Many comments about the ebay ones are about most saying good with maybe one in 15 saying it leaked....??

I was also talking to radiator specialists the other day and they were saying the worst thing is to have crap earth on your car and the more accessories the more chance for stuff not being earthed properly and causing damage..

My radiator in the car now has had a pinhole repair done and I would just rather replace it all now.

[threedogs]

Put some flakes in it, never use chemiweld unless selling

[Bloodyaussie]

Farkkk I dont ask for advice often... I'll figure it out???

[Winnie]

Don't go alloy... Wait and save for a good copper one. Got quoted between 300 and 400 at Natrad for a big HD 3 core copper job.

[Bloodyaussie]

Don't go alloy... Wait and save for a good copper one. Got quoted between 300 and 400 at Natrad for a big HD 3 core copper job.

Thanks buddy!!!!

[Winnie]

Just repeating what I have been told by the blokes at Natrad and a couple of mechanics I know.

[healy]

Try kool rad in braeside better than what you will get off eBay and around 200-250

[healy]

Nothing wrong with a proper built Ali radiator

[Winnie]

From what I was told they work good but if anything happens they are a throw away item... cannot be repaired.

[Sir Roofy]

Pin hole put in black pepper

[boots]

Buy a volkswagon beetle or a combi van . they dont need a radiator . hahahaha !

[Bloodyaussie]

Buy a volkswagon beetle or a combi van . they dont need a radiator . hahahaha !

Shut up Chris...back in you box!!!!!!!

When I was young my Uncle took me and my sister to see Herbie goes bananas in his new VW beetle and on the way back from the drive-in the engine fell out!!!!

[MQ MAD]

Seen some 3 core ones but am not sure.. My spare one has been checked out and is not worth repairing as I would have liked to have stayed with a copper/brass one but$$$$$$
OEM, the alloy crap is dearer than a copper core steel tank jobie
Ive put a copper/steel tank rad in the GQ,was factory alloy
The core is thicker ,and it was cheaper as well
Its a NATRAD ,bought from a NATRAD reseller cheaper than NATRAD direct, go figure

[MQ MAD]

Buy a volkswagon beetle or a combi van . they dont need a radiator . hahahaha !

That depends IF your still running the air cooled ???
Theres plenty of subbie , V6 commo,L series datto powered beetles running radiators
And its K,K,K ,for kombi,kaptain
Missus has a beetle , goes pritty quick for a whoppin 40 ponnies ......

[Bloodyaussie]

Well Natrad just quoted me just over $400 for a good brass/ copper one and $500 plus for a 3 row one...?????

He said alloy ones are good for certain jobs but does not recommend them for 4wding as the cars flex a lot and alloy does not...

Seen this one?? http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/261107951410?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649#ht_3114wt_1139

Decisions Decisions ???

[Winnie]

I'm fairly sure I was quoted just over 400 by natrad for a copper 3 core one. I will see if I still have the card at home

[Alitis007]

Well Natrad just quoted me just over $400 for a good brass/ copper one and $500 plus for a 3 row one...?????

He said alloy ones are good for certain jobs but does not recommend them for 4wding as the cars flex a lot and alloy does not...

Seen this one?? http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/261107951410?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p398 4.m1438.l2649#ht_3114wt_1139

Decisions Decisions ???

Ally radiators look good but thats about it!!

That Brass one doesn't look too bad and its only in Huntingdale so you can go and pic it up aswell, just need to make sure they honor the warranty

[Robo]

looks the same as the one my son stuck in his,
so far no problems , 6 months.
recon it looks standard.

Tip.
remember to remove once a yr or every other,
up you you and it's wear n tear
clean, flush inside and out.
lightly repaint and replace.
the copper will last ten fold with this sort of maintance.

[Winnie]

I'm fairly sure I was quoted just over 400 by natrad for a copper 3 core one. I will see if I still have the card at home

Sorry mate quote was 330 for a second hand 3 row and 500 for a newie

[Bloodyaussie]

Cheers Chris... I am weighing up my options at the moment but am going to steer clear of the alloy jobs and stick to the copper brass ones..

Work is starting to pick up a bit so might have a budget to play with soon????

Is there a coolant that is recommended for these rigs??

[BigRAWesty]

Hay BA. Did you have heat issues with the old radiator? Or planning any mods which require that bit extra? If not I'd just stick in the same as what your taking out. I mean its nice to have the absolute best of everything but if budget is tight and the stock style does the job fine then no real need for the bigger one imo.

But yes to copper.

Kallen Westbrook
Owner of
Westy's Accessories (http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/showthread.php?15134-Westy-s-Accessories.-A-small-back-yard-builder.)

[Bloodyaussie]

I am not that poor I am just married to an accountant so it can be hard to get things by the boss who thinks cars are stupid and why would I want to do something that costs so much money....... oh such fun..!!!

I dont want some over the top system I just want a good one... I have had many bikes and one went from overheating all the time to over cooling as I did a mod that worked too well so I know not to go nuts.

For the reasons stated about alloy being too ridged I will stick with copper and it is not an option to repair mine as there are signs of old age and I dont want to thrown good after bad!!

[MudRunnerTD]

BA i have just taken my radiator out and taken it in for a pressure wash inside and out, a repaint (Paint is cheap though so i would normally do this myself) and all the fins straightened and its ready to go back in. As stated above taking it out every 1 to 2 years and blasting it clean will see it last a LONG Time! every couple of years you should be replacing your coolant anyways ;)

is yours knackered or does it just need a clean and paint mate? Mine cost me $60 drop off and pick up. all good.

[Winnie]

BA i have just taken my radiator out and taken it in for a pressure wash inside and out, a repaint (Paint is cheap though so i would normally do this myself) and all the fins straightened and its ready to go back in. As stated above taking it out every 1 to 2 years and blasting it clean will see it last a LONG Time! every couple of years you should be replacing your coolant anyways ;)

is yours knackered or does it just need a clean and paint mate? Mine cost me $60 drop off and pick up. all good.

Where did you get that done? I need to do the same thing. Last time I couldn't take the radiator out and take it there but I've got a work car now so can do it and save some coin!

[MudRunnerTD]

Just a Local random bloke mate. about the going rate i reckon.

[Winnie]

Was told 140 by Natrad for the same job... Will have to ask aroubd

[Bloodyaussie]

That's bloody cheap Darren , mine has had a pinhole repair as mentioned and more than likely there other weaknesses in there.

I would rather it be 100% than have doubt...??!!

Being I don't have a second car at the moment I can't affords the time to do certain other options??

[threedogs]

Cores are about $350, so you have two decision Ali or copper
You go copper, 3 or 4 row, you go 3 row,

Now ring big Norm at Aussie desert coolers for a price
Problem solved

bit hard being daily driver to,

[Robo]

A mate if mine used a larger think 3 row ALLOY ebay special.
he deep sixed it, 3 days after fitting it.

seemed ok normal driving, but a slog up hill and it was getting hotter.
guess the fins were to close together to allow sufficient air through at lower speeds.

[Bloodyaussie]

A mate if mine used a larger think 3 row ALLOY ebay special.
he deep sixed it, 3 days after fitting it.

seemed ok normal driving, but a slog up hill and it was getting hotter.
guess the fins were to close together to allow sufficient air through at lower speeds.

Yeah I have made my mind up I am just doing 2 projects at the same time and a third to come so putting dollars away so its done properly !!!