Radiator - FYI

[jamesmost]

My origional radiator lasted 6 yearsi have been installing aftermarket ones for every 2 years since.they seem to burst at the seams.

this time i am trying CSF - actually cheaper then the $210 aftermarket onesthis one is $110.

just fyi.shulda had a custom one made years ago, maybe next time.

James

[AlabamaDan]

Wow. I've still got my OE radiator. I thought there was a concensus about the best replacement radiator. It was something that had metal end caps instead of plastic. I also thought it was a little bigger.

[maxnix]

Q45tech runs a Griffin.

[Q45tech]

The question is economically how does a $600 custom rad compute.The 3-4F improvement and 5 minute longer heat capacity - slowing the rise above 195F is the real reason for selecting special products.

[Haitian_King]

Hmm. I really wish I knew what my Q was doing from 1998 to 2007. (Probably partying, doing coke.) From 1991 to 1998, it didn't seem that the car was driven too much. About 2571 miles a year. The last service record stopped at 1998 at 18k. I have no clue as to the condition of the radiator. It's function well, but I don't know if it will need to be replaced anytime in the near future. You guys say that it need to be replaced every 6 years OEM and 2 years for aftermarket. I don't know if mine is the original. Is there anyway I can tell?

[StarPD]

Don't forget to have your radiator/condenser cleaned from behind regularly. Crap builds up and inhibits air flow. Also check for plastic/paper sucked up onto the front of your radiator, or worse, between the radiator and condenser, where it's hard to see.

This is a part of maintenance that most owners overlook.

[Haitian_King]

That is really some good advice. I'd never considered a problem like that before. I'll have to take a look.

This may be especially pertinent to those who drive in urban areas where litter is abundant.

[Q45tech]

Even more often overlooked is the rubber and foam air seal between the perimeter of rad and frame and condenser perimeter and frame ..............ozone/O2 breaks these down and creates gaps which allow bypass flow and redice efficiency of both systems................theses need replacing when you remove rad to clean or replace!

[Skibane]

Don't forget to have your radiator/condenser cleaned from behind regularly. Crap builds up and inhibits air flow. Also check for plastic/paper sucked up onto the front of your radiator, or worse, between the radiator and condenser, where it's hard to see.

This is a part of maintenance that most owners overlook.

Mine, at about 73K:

[StarPD]

Mine, at about 73K:

Yup, that's what happens to 'em.Thanks for the photo which shows just how bad it can get, skibane.I wonder how many other members have rads that look like that and don't know it.

Note that if you start out with a clean radiator and shoot moderately high pressure air through the radiator from the rear, it shouldn't get that kind of buildup. Soapy water under pressure would help too, but not sure if that might damage the fan motor. I'd be careful doing that, and would only uses it as a last resort to remove heavy buildup and you don't want to remove the radiator and A/C condenser.

And Q45tech is right. Air leakage= poor cooling. Only if the incoming air, ALL of it, passes completely through the radiator will the cooling system operate effectively. I suspect many members suffer from this problem too.

Cooling system flushes, replacement of thermostats, hoses, and radiator caps is necessary, but so is exterior cooling maintenance. It's a commonly neglected area.

[mtcookson]

My Q is at 200k+ miles and was definitely way worse than that (naturally).

Not only would I clean the radiator up but there are holes at the bottom that allow extra air through to the radiator, this is where most of the junk comes from. I'd definitely clean those holes out as much as possible as well.

[AlabamaDan]

I've still got that foam stuff on my Q45, but it fell apart on my QX4 when I changed the timing belt. What's a suitable replacement?

[heywier427]

i went to home depot a got some of that grey foam that you use the seal up your ac units in your home. worked like a charm!

[AlabamaDan]

Looks like the 92 in the local junkyard has a recently replaced radiator. Would a 92 radiator fit a 94? Maybe I should grab it for a spare.

[lino]

I have a CSF radiator in my car now. The previous owner had the oem replaced with this one just before I bought the car.

Here are the specs:

http://www.yourautocoolingsour...U1404http://www.yourautocoolingsour...61638

Regarding getting a custom one done, I hear these guys make great stuff including Evans NPG+ Waterless Coolant:

http://evanscooling.com/

Click on English, then passenger cars, then catalog on the left side, and check out coolants and radiators.

[AlabamaDan]

I guess since that site has different radiators for 90-93 and 94-96 they're different. Thanks.

BTW, Lino I got a kick out of your mod list with "Driver's Seat Fragrance Unit." I have that and it works well doesn't it. You don't notice it, but it must be working because my car always smells the same and yes it's good.

[lino]

BTW, Lino I got a kick out of your mod list with "Driver's Seat Fragrance Unit." I have that and it works well doesn't it. You don't notice it, but it must be working because my car always smells the same and yes it's good.

At first, I didn't notice it as much, but then I really did. Bear in mind, I apply a leather conditioner + protectant every 8 weeks and that has a real nice scent too.

[3Q Jay]

I guess since that site has different radiators for 90-93 and 94-96 they're different. Thanks.

90-93= 1 atf tank94-96 =2 atf tank (to go with the external filter)

[maxnix]

Looks like the 92 in the local junkyard has a recently replaced radiator. Would a 92 radiator fit a 94? Maybe I should grab it for a spare.

Only if you bypass the inferior earlier heat exchanger for the ATF.