Rep Power: 332

What type of signs should you look for visually or mechanical? Obviously when your **** starts to over heat, but besides that what should we look for? Something about burn in marks on outside of radiator? Somebody told me I should think about gettin a new one, cause of those burn marks. So i replace with factory or aftermarket? I'm a daily driver, that likes some performance.

-Holla!

 
Rep Power: 314

If it leaks, ya need a new one
Seriously, if it ain't broke-don't fix it!

 
Rep Power: 336

yeah, when its leaking fluid and has holes in it. not till then. for no reason. seriously. good thing you asked. it would have been a waste of money.

 
Rep Power: 289

yeah, if theres a crack definately replace but if its still working dont replace and if you do replace go for the koyo full aluminum radiator.

 
Rep Power: 0

Also I would pay attention to the fins in fron of the radiator. Over time they get bent left and right which degrades the cooling capability of the radiator. Basically in daily driving you may not see the temps go up but when you push your car they can shoot up quickly cause of that. It all comes down to how much driving you do and if there are lots of bugs and rocks flying aroudn in your neck of the woods.

 
Rep Power: 305

Open the cap when cool. Look to see if the inside holes are clean, if they are clogged then your cooling is suffering. Most radiators will last a long time if kept filled with a coolant to prevent rusting and formation of deposits. You need direct water to metal contact inside to cool.

As for leaking, that is simple. Our radiators are made of plastic so they are not really repairable. The old school metal ones could be torn apart and have a new core put in, thus making them good as new.

Overheating can be caused by bad radiator, bad water pump, blown head gasket, or crack in the head.

 
Rep Power: 285

even if it is getting plugged, take it to a radiator shop and have it rodded out. Its usually only like $30-$50. And it works like new after.

If you have bent fins, buy a radiator comb. You run it through the fins, and they are as good as new.


i used to work at a radiator shop.