Ive gone through two autozone radiators in the last 8 years . What to buy ? I like the look of dome of the all aluminum ones on ebay . Jeep is stock but it does get hot here in NC . Is a 3 core too much ?

 

I fitted what was advertised an as an OEM style, which has plastic side tanks, and is quite thin like the original, so it fits right in easily

It was very inexpensive. Most OEM vehicles have plastic side tanks these days, and tend to last over 10 years

The Chinese Tig welded Al ones had a bit of a reputation for springing leaks

We have a hot climate, and my Jeep does not overheat

 

What fails on your radiators?

Some common knowledge that I learned late, is to never use tap water to mix the coolant. The radiator would always rust out in about 4 years. Since I quit doing that, my radiators have lasted the rest of the life of the vehicle.

 

leaks....i put some dye in it and with a uv light it lit up the aluminum beside the plastic tank. it was leaving a nice spot on the ground as well .its not the hoses or pump.fluid is good a clean. just put in this radiator about 4 years ago.

 

Unfortunate to hear you've had bad luck with the Spectra rads. I've read lots of reports of people having the cheap aluminum radiators leak shortly after install. I wouldn't put one in mine. If you absolutely need it, look into a Griffin or maybe a Mishimoto.

The best option would be a Mopar branded replacement if you can find one.

 

All my XJ's had Valeo rads, so I assumed they were OEM but then, afaik, Valeo don't make anything, they just buy companies that do, with an inevitable downturn in quality; just look how they destroyed Cibie's world class reputation, by producing lights that were inferior to the replicas. On the other hand they've all lasted 20-odd years so can't really complain - but, as a matter of principle, I'd not get another one.
Radiators are like all other components, they should be from a leading manufacturer of that part..

 

Yall talked me outta the ebay ones . Bought one at napa today . We will see . Got a pump too . Figured while i had room to work plus it was 10 years old .

 

Distilled water and regular coolant flushes/changes are your friend.

 

May be sound advice (although I was brought up on distilled water being for aluminium) but not sure how it prevents, or even delays, plastic failing, which seems to be the major failing of XJ radiators.

 

Copper & Brass radiators have much higher thermal transfer rates than Aluminum & Plastic Radiators.
C&B are somewhat springy.
A&P are not.
C&B and have very similar rates of expansion and contraction.
A&P do not.
C&B rads are repairable and rebuildable.
A&P rads are neither.
A& P rads are lighter C&B rads.
A&P rads are cheaper than C&B rads.

​
If I had to go Aluminum it would be an all Aluminum by Mishimoto.
​​​​​

 

Buy one locally. Napa generally has the higher quality parts. And, if there's an issue just bring it back.

 

Who makes it is more important than who sells it - but f you can buy locally, it's probably worth paying a small premium (convenience is expensive)

fwiw, just bought a NAPA wiper blade, Made in China! But then, I'm not sure of the status of the "napa.eu" operation