What radiator should i get any suggestions

[lars04]

My radiator is old and crappy and want to replace it, what's a good aftermarket radiator I've heard alloy is crap and 3 core ain't that good either, some people say different things 2 is better blah blah. can anyone with experience give me some info.
Cheers.
Engine is a rb30 efi

[Turtle_au]

If you didn't have problems with old radiator, then stick with something similar.

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[lars04]

Good point

[AB]

It is true though. "Generally" speaking most manufacturers have the cooling system sorted to a degree.

The issue is idiots like some of us here including myself modify things causing overheating issues ;)


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[dom14]

It is true though. "Generally" speaking most manufacturers have the cooling system sorted to a degree.

The issue is idiots like some of us here including myself modify things causing overheating issues ;)



It iis not easy to stay away from engine mods when you have a good diesel rig. The need for more power is an addiction. :) ;)

[mudnut]

I will be in the market for a radiator, real soon, so I recently spoke to a retired radiator expert. He recommended a copper/brass radiator unless you completely clean and flush the system. You need to pay particular attention to the heater core, because the iron deposits create a battery-like effect with an alloy radiator, causing them to fail quickly.

[dom14]

I will be in the market for a radiator, real soon, so I recently spoke to a retired radiator expert. He recommended a copper/brass radiator unless you completely clean and flush the system. You need to pay particular attention to the heater core, because the iron deposits create a battery-like effect with an alloy radiator, causing them to fail quickly.

I just had to do the welch plug behind the power steering pump. It's an absolute PITA with having to pull out the pump, while managing to drop the new welch plug between the A/C pump mounting bracket & engine block(impossible to fish it out). I didn't know there's damn welch plug there, otherwise I would've replaced it last year.
The amount of rust crud that was coming out of the leaking welch plug was unreal, 'cos I only used a chemical bottle to break down the rust two weeks ago while reverse flushing it again few times. All this is old rust afaict 'cos with new coolant with distilled water should've stopped further rust. I'm still reluctant to use a stronger flushing chemical 'cos of the fear of more leaks developing from the chemical breaking down rust and much more.

Alloy radiators are basically aluminium alloy, aren't they?! Assuming that is the case, there shouldn't be any iron deposits?

What's wrong with your radiator?

Mine is a copper one by the looks of it. It's been going good for years since I bought the vehicle, regardless of cylinder head and engine block having serious rust buildup issues.

[mudnut]

Mine is weeping from a corner, where it was repaired a couple of years ago. The iron deposits are the rust in the block and heater core.

[Chimo]

My radiator (89 GQ 4.2 TD) was weeping when hot and under pressure (Electrolysis?)

It was repaired 2 yrs ago but I have now given up and put an Al alloy unit in as recommended by my 4x4 mechanic / specialist 4wd guy. He uses the same type in his rigs so went that way too.

Looking forward to another 27yrs of trouble free motoring.

Cheers
Chimo

[threedogs]

Recently replaced mine with a std looking unit, cost me $300 from
Bundoora radiators cant fault it.

[mudnut]

My radiator (89 GQ 4.2 TD) was weeping when hot and under pressure (Electrolysis?)

It was repaired 2 yrs ago but I have now given up and put an Al alloy unit in as recommended by my 4x4 mechanic / specialist 4wd guy. He uses the same type in his rigs so went that way too.

Looking forward to another 27yrs of trouble free motoring.

Cheers
Chimo


So you had the whole system cleaned and flushed to a high standard before fitting the alloy job?

[Chimo]

mudnut

At my 5000km services the coolant is tested and if not up to spec it is flushed and replaced.

When the radiator was replaced recently it was just a couple of weeks after the the most recent 5000km service when the clutch master cylinder was replaced after 27 yrs! Two weeks later the radiator was identified as suspect and was replaced. I assume the system was flushed out again but to be honest I didn't ask. I do assume tho that the system was again flushed as new fluids were used.

Sorry to sound vague but the 4 x 4 guy who does my servicing and repairs has my full confidence and has not let me down over the last 15 yrs so he does what needs to be done when its needed.

If you are in SW Vic you are not too far away from a really good turbo etc guy that I used to use when I was down that way. He fitted my turbo and nothing has had to be touched since the mid 90's apart from a seal in the pump due the diesel composition being changed.

Chimo

[dom14]

Mine is weeping from a corner, where it was repaired a couple of years ago. The iron deposits are the rust in the block and heater core.

I think mine was replaced just before I bought it, otherwise it's good performance can't be explained, when considering the goo of rust inside the engine block. It definitely need an aggressive clean, but I don't wanna deal with more corrosion related failures like welch plugs, head gasket failures right now. So, I reckon I'm gonna leave it for the time being.