I've noticed for the past week or so that i was leaking coolant. I couldnt find where until this morning i walked outside and there was a significant drip coming from my passenger side. Popped hood and found what I believe is the leak in the lower passenger side corner of the radiator. Obviously, im needing to replace my radiator. This will be my first radiator swap, so i wanted to know what suggestions yall might have. Ive heard radiatorbarn is pretty legit site for new radiators.... 2or3 row? Ive found the step-by-step on this site for installing but want to know if theres anything yall had to add. Thanks for your time.

J

 

So. I guess radiatorbarn is no longer.... any other suggestions on where to buy

 

Buy local in case you need the warranty. You don't say what yr your XJ is but the Spectra Premium radiators are popular around here. Auto Zone sells them.

 

98 xj. theres napa and auto zone close

 

http://www.autozone.com/cooling-heat...66534_0_13752/

 

I put in a stock style Spectra Premium right before summer this year and it's been great. There's nothing wrong with using a stock rad if the rest of your cooling system is up to par.

Since you'll have all the coolant drained anyhow, you may as well throw in a new t-stat... Maybe some new hoses too.

One more thing, get yourself a new radiator cap too. They're pretty cheap...

 

i'd stick a water pump on too while your at it.

 

^ this

It's really easy to replace the water pump with the radiator removed.

It's really up to you and how much you want to do. Personally, I'd replace as much as I could just for peace of mind

 

Well. Everything's kinda been said already lol.

OP, how was your temps before the leak. I say yes to the radiator, hoses, cap and stat. Its up to you about the water pump, although now I a good time, and even do the fan clutch since you'll have that extra space. Least once you done. Cooling system is a thing of the past for a while

 

I recently replaced my water pump abt 3000 miles ago. Def gonna do thermostat. Upper and lower rad hoses are new. Fan clutch wouldn't be a bad idea. Heater Core is out too :/ so thinking saving all my time and patience for that job. I live high in the Colorado Rockies and running outta time up here.

 

Ok. So I've pulled the old rad but after inspecting it I concerned that it might be my condenser... Here's what I'm looking at.




Radiator





A/c condenser

 

I should also add that last weekend when I noticed a leak it seemed to only occur when I was running the a/c. Yesterday it was just leaking all the time.