Please HELP!

[Melkor1010]

I have a question...I don't know anything about fixing cars so please excuse my poor vocabulary. I have pictures that I wanted to upload but they are in my email and I can't figure out how to do it...

OK so my car has been overheating a little bit...not to the point where it's smoking or anything, but the gauge has been going up towards hot. I thought it was b/c I needed more coolant, so I went out and bought some and put it in, and things seemed to be getting better.

Yesterday I was driving my car and I found out everything is not OK. OK so that metal thing where you dump the coolant into the radiator in the front middle of the car (NOT the overflow) is connected to the TOP piece of the radiator? Is that right? On the 240sx convertible it's a black plastic piece, about a foot long, that runs along the front middle of the car...if you follow that piece to the left, there's a hose that is brings the coolant from where you dump it in into the engine? Right there where that black plastic piece and the hose meet, the coolant got so hot that it melted a piece of the plastic off...so now I can't turn the car on obviously b/c coolant just poors out....my question is does that mean I have to replace the whole radiator? Or does that plastic piece come off?? If anyone can tell me how to upload pictures I'll definitely do that.

[Melkor1010]

[Melkor1010]

OK best picture I could find...so you see where you dump the coolant in?? Follow that black plastic piece to the left and you hit that metal bar that's screwed down. RIGHT to the left of that, between the bar and that little white piece is where the plastic melted..you can see the hose going back from that area if you enlarge this picture...

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w229 ... 010015.jpg

^^ the URL for a bigger picture...

[Amays U G37S]

If the radiator blew and you have a plastic piece on top that is leaking coolant, you have to repalce the radiator. Its cheap, and is no hassle at all.

That vert looks to be in really good condition. Sometimes the radiators just blow, its common.

If you're not sure how to bleed the cooling system, I would take it to a mechanic to further inspect the radiator.

[Melkor1010]

tru...ok...i thought radiators were expensive...i was hoping just that plastic piece could be replaced, not the whole radiator.

ps, thats not my vert, i found that pic online...mine's in decent shape but not that nice

[biggie]

Should be able to get a replacement radiator for under $100. Or could get an all alum one on ebay for a little more (but wouldn't have to worry about plastic breaking).

[Amays U G37S]

I would get a OEM replacement radiator. The ones are Ebay are typically Mishimoto's, and i've heard mixed feelings about them. Something about the way they cool isn't up to standards and a OEM would be a much better choice.

The replacement of the radiator isn't hard. You can get a OEM one for like $129, or go to Autozone and get a off brand with a long-term warrenty for less.

However, installing, is not a problem, but bleeding the system is. If you're unsure, supply the radiator to your repair shop, and provide all the reciepts so they know its brand new.

Goodluck!

[Melkor1010]

thanks guys, i appreciate it...problem is all the websites I am going to have nothing listed for OEM replacement radiators for a 1993 nissan 240 sx....any ideas on where i can get one?

[Melkor1010]

Brands that I'm seeing are CSF, Flexalite, Performance, Koyo, Ready Rad, Replacement, Silla, etc....

Any links to some good options would be helpful...car is in the shop now but I'm expecting a phone call tomorrow. I'd love to have a better idea of what I should be asking him to do for me...thanks!

[biggie]

Go to http://rockauto.com and look it up, a few options on there. Just make sure you get the AT or MT depending on what you need.