Just noticed radiator leak today. Good thing I loaded it up with dye just a few weeks ago, eh? Going to just have to see if I can go 2 weeks until next payday to order everything. Looked for that thread about radiators, but did not find the one I half remembered.

Leak looks like it is coming from top or near top, on the same side as radiator cap.


UV light illuminating coolant/dye.


Am I missing anything here? (will get coolant distilled water, flush, and dye local when it is time to do all this)

Looking through the radiators at Rock Auto, seems like the CSF 2670 is the lowest price all metal radiator right now. Seems like 2 core will do the job, have a 3 core in there now:
https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...,radiator,2172

Gates hoses say "protective sleeve required" but I don't see a link for that, they do have a link for hose clamps. Don't see any spring clamps, is there any advantage of T-Bolt vs Constant Tension clamps for radiator hose application?

AC Delco radiator cap, 16 PSI

AC Delco 195 degree thermostat

Fel Pro Thermostat housing gasket (surprised that is cheapest or almost cheapest of the gaskets) need to put some gasket tacky stuff on the housing side not the engine side?

All I can think of at the moment.

 

Just remembered to check fan clutch later. Engine cooled off and fan turns easy. Will check it after I get to work tomorrow.

Noticed leak when I stopped at a convenience store on the way home. Drops of bright fluid on pavement, then checked with UV light. When I got home, none leaked onto driveway, it sits downhill a few degrees. Overflow tank still has plenty of coolant.

 

Don't get hung up on the number of cores. A one core that is well-designed and well made will cool better than a 3 core piece of Chinese junk.

Rockauto is great until something goes wrong with an order. Then they are not so nice to play with.

 

This is the one I have my eye on. $185.79 description claims copper core.
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...0314&jsn=11858

The only one cores I see are plastic and metal.

What about T-Bolt vs Constant Tension clamps?

 

Hasn't been like that for me. Twice I had issues with orders and both times they sent more parts for no charge and didn't want anything sent back to them.

 

If you have limited funds, here's a suggestion. I went to a JY and removed a 2001 radiator and installed it in my 96. Radiator was $40.00. Removing and installing a radiator in an XJ is a simple job. I realize some here may say you're buying a problem but it is easy to tell if a radiator was having problems. The one I retrieved was pretty clean and has been in my 96 for a year and is working just fine.

 

If it looks like this will not last commuting for two-ish weeks, that is something I will do if I can find one local. Right now I can't do it between pay days, but a full spread of the right parts is doable on the next paycheck.

Fan clutch has some resistance, so I guess that is something that can stay put.

Just remembered that Fel Pro does not want any goop added to their gaskets, but I should put a little dab on the thermostat to keep it in place while the housing and gasket are installed.

My A/C has no refrigerant at all, and in the spring I should be replacing most of the A/C stuff including the condenser. So I guess I can disconnect the condenser and block off the lines to make this job a little easier.

 

Instead of getting the Junkyard parts, try the Spectra Premium from your parts store. When I went looking, I found that Pep Boys had it for like $80 bucks. I know thats more than a junkyard, but I would be leery of any contaminents working their way into my cooling system. Although, if you could get it for real cheap and it looked real clean, it would probably be ok after giving it a good cleaning with a garden hose.

 

X2 I have a spectra factory replacement radiator and I have no overheating issues at all.

 

JY rads are always a massive gamble and buy the time you spend the money and time to get it out you could have bought a brand new one and had it delivered.

For something so critical the life of your engine tanking a cheap gamble just isn't worth it.

 

Are those all metal?

 

Majority of rads on the market these days unless you intend to spend a pay cheques worth of coin will be plastic and aluminum.

There are no issues with these and people need to quit overthinking radiators.

The plastic/aluminum are just fine these days.

 

Gonna take a wild guess here and guess that the temporary stoppage of the leak is no reason to stop worrying and get this thing replaced?

Added some extra coolant to the overflow bottle just in case it decides to get big.

 

Radiators can develop leaks and stop leaking all at the same time, but eventually that leak will completely fail to a point of disaster or a clean up.

I picked up a used rad last year and it was doing ok but developed some small leaks. Last week that rad completely failed and I had to do a replacement.

If a radiator is leaking its a ticking time bomb and could be fine for months or completely fail in a day.

How lucky do you feel?

 

Lucky enough to make it until November 8 and change.