I've got a 240sx that has a crack in the radiator, and since this is currently my only car, not fixing it means being without wheels. It will be at least 3 weeks until I can afford to purchase a new one (not including shipping time to get the part), and I was wondering if someone can tell me if there's a temporary seal or fix I can jury rig until I can finally get a new one? How damaging would such a fix be to my vehicle?
Also, I'm fairly new at rebuilding cars (obviously). I've done a couple simple things like replacing the master cylinder and the oil pressure sensor, and while replacement of the radiator looks straight forward, I was curious if there was anything special I needed to know or look out for, or any tips or hints anyone had?
I've done a search in the FAQs, here and in the Nissan Tech forum, but havent seen any answers to my questions. If I missed it, would someone please post a link?
Thanks.
Radiator Problems
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guyaverage
- Posts: 224
- Joined: Thu Feb 19, 2004 9:48 am
- Car: Nissan 240SX Convertible
Re: Radiator Problems (firelocke)
Replacing the radiator really isnt difficult, relatively speaking. Just take your time, dont force it, and it should pull out and drop in fairly easily. YOu will have to push a hose or two out of the way while you are doing it, a second set of hands wouldnt hurt. You may want to replace the hoses since you are in there, since they are fairly cheap. I think the whole job took me about 2 hours or so. If you can get the front end up on a pair of ramps it will make things a lot easier to reach at the bottom.
I wouldnt recommend trying to seal the cracked one. You might be able to temporarily seal it, but if the seal gives out on the highway or you dont notice RIGHT AWAY that it is leaking you could easily overheat. Get a new one (not a junkyard one), preferably all metal. I got mine from radiator barn, its all metal and it was $110 shipped and seems to be a quality piece. I have been using it for about 9 months now and have had no leaks, drips, running hot, or anything. Its just as shiny now as when I pulled it out of the box.
There is an intake resonator box on the passenger side just behind the shroud on the radiator. Remove the resonator from the shroud, cut the hose about 2 inches from the intake pipe, screw in a large bolt (into the hose) and clamp it to plug it up (Home Depot or Lowes will have plenty of bolts big enough to screw into the hose to plug it, that wont slip out or leak unmetered air into the hose. The clamp will hold it even more). It wont affect your performance (it didnt help mine, some people say it will), but will make it a LOT easier to install the new radiator when the time comes. This will make more sense when you see it after you pull the radiator out.
Dont chicken out and take it anywhere. Its not a bad job at all. Basic tools is all you'll need.
I wouldnt recommend trying to seal the cracked one. You might be able to temporarily seal it, but if the seal gives out on the highway or you dont notice RIGHT AWAY that it is leaking you could easily overheat. Get a new one (not a junkyard one), preferably all metal. I got mine from radiator barn, its all metal and it was $110 shipped and seems to be a quality piece. I have been using it for about 9 months now and have had no leaks, drips, running hot, or anything. Its just as shiny now as when I pulled it out of the box.
There is an intake resonator box on the passenger side just behind the shroud on the radiator. Remove the resonator from the shroud, cut the hose about 2 inches from the intake pipe, screw in a large bolt (into the hose) and clamp it to plug it up (Home Depot or Lowes will have plenty of bolts big enough to screw into the hose to plug it, that wont slip out or leak unmetered air into the hose. The clamp will hold it even more). It wont affect your performance (it didnt help mine, some people say it will), but will make it a LOT easier to install the new radiator when the time comes. This will make more sense when you see it after you pull the radiator out.
Dont chicken out and take it anywhere. Its not a bad job at all. Basic tools is all you'll need.