Looks like I need a new rad on my Saph. I've got a 4x4 i/c ( it's a 2wd G-reg ) and wondered what the best option was and what the costs/problems involved were?

1/ get this one reconditioned as it is only a small 'weep' right at the bottom on the passenger side where the fins go into the end tank

2/ get a a new standard one? ( no idea on cost£? )

3/ get an alloy one for about £350 from Radtec or Pace or similar.
Any ideas on which make of alloy is best. I was thinking more in terms of a std size alloy rather than uprated core as I have had no cooling issues on my car up to now.

Are there any problems or things to be aware of when fitting a new rad - should the alloy ones be a std replacement i.e are all the mounting holes there - are they the same.

If I wanted to upgrade to an RS500 i/c in the future is there a specific rad to buy with that in mind

Any info welcome!

Cheers

Mike

 

Also .....

...is there any truth in the rumour that an alloy one of std size doesn't cool (i.e. lose heat as efficiently ) as a normal type rad.

i.e what are the pros and cons of an alloy one?

 

I would have thought alloy cooled it better! Ally transfers heat quicker than steel, so can't see how it could possibly be inferior cooling wise.

 

Mike,
The Radtec Racing and Pro-alloy ones are definitely better than the OE one, as I have carried out tests on my Escort. Obviously I cannot comment on any other makes.

In my Sapphire, the Pace ones leaked CONSTANTLY, so this has put me off theirs for life.

 

So the Radtec ones are pretty good then - probably handy for me as they are close by somewhere up near Cannock according to their phone number in the ad.

 

The Radtec one in my Escort reduced on-track temps by 6°C . Fit and finish was sport on with the fan fitment being by four captive nuts .

 

Maybe a silly question, but I've seen the "Radman" mentioned on here. Is he a source of discount priced radiators or can anyone recommend the cheapest place if I go for a Radtec one ( or is that direct from Radtec )?

 

Dont waste your time and money on a recon one I did this there just not strong enough and the bottom of the core will expand, Mine did this at the time all tuners were saying Headgasket problem, I put an ally one in and it's been fine since and still on same headgasket that was 2000miles ago.

 

i have a low mileage std escos BEHR cored rad in perfect condition in my garage gathering dust

 

That's good Dave, but a 4x4 rad aint gonna fit a 2wd car

 

 

Quality reply

 

Cheers for the info - I think it is just the rad that has been on there for over 7 years( at least ) is a bit tired. I was initially a bit worried that it might be the head gasket as people often say the rad "bows" and pops the fins out the end tanks but that doesn't look to be the case and I took it up to a garage on Saturday so they could "sniff" the air in the header tank with an exhaust gas tester to check for hydrocarbons. That was OK so I believe it is just a knackered rad. It is only a slight weep at present and if it was an old car I'd put radweld in but don't want to use that on my Cossie. Am just looking to find the best option at present but it seems to be an alloy one is going to be my best bet.
Just hoping an aftermarket one will have all the original mounting brackets and screws on to make it an easy swap.

 

Mike,
Both the Radtec and Pro-alloy ones are direct swaps. It takes me 45mins from start to finish swapping a radiator over (inc jacking up and down and bleeding the system).

 

Any bleeding tips for a Sapphire Cos? Never changed the rad on this car so don't know if it is succeptible to air locks.

 

Never had an air lock in mine (2wd). Had to dump the water a fair few times because the standard rad had lots of oil deposits in it due to head gasket failure, which meant i had to keep flushing the sytem and not once did i have any bother.

 

they are self bleeding just have it on a flat surface fill it up and run the engine with the cap off untill the fan cut's in. Job done. ps 4x4 has a bleed screw on the stat housing but this wont apply to you.

 

Cheers for the info on the bleeding Dean, Cossierich and Mike - I know some cars are worse than others for air locks but it sounds like it should be an easy-ish job

Cheers

Mike

 

yes it will

 

will it??



ha ha you c-unts!

 

Will it? Straight fit?

Really?

I would have thought you would have had to change at least two of the hoses you stupid motherfuckers

 

didnt say 'straight' fit

but it fits


pedantic cock!

 

yeah it will and rich should know. The rad in my 2wd was fucked so i replaced with a 2wd rad...turns out thats not what was in the car so they had to mod it to fit with the 4x4 ic

 

If by straight fit, you mean the car wont run afterwards, then yeah, nice one

 

excellent..


double

lovely !

 

For fuck's sake you losers - of course the rad itself will "fit", as the bodyshells are virtually the same.

However, that's all that will happen, so Dave, trying to flog your heap of a rad to some poor unsuspecting guy is not exactly giving the full story.

Water pump and thermostat pipework all different.

Christ, it's like trying to teach children

 

Chop - nonsense. You always have to mod the 2wd rad and 4x4 intercooler setup slightly, as the 4x4 cooler is deeper - absolutely NOTHING to do with the rad.

 

flog? i said it was gathering dust..

if the bloke can collect it.. he can have it for free


ALRIGHTY THEN!!




plus, its not a heap.. its a perfect condition example

 

when AVA got the new rad it was different...

 

it was probably a scottish one

 

yeah cheaper scrappier build obviously

 

AH also VERY good rads, got one on mine and i never have any cooling probs. It also takes longer for the fans to come on. Before it used to be everytime i stoped the fans would kick in! lol now it takes a while

 

i fitted a 2wd rad to my 4wd saff ... it went straight in .. no pipework to be adjusted at all had to open up the fitting holes on the top .. but thats it .. straight in ..

then fitted a 2wd pace rad into it a month later .. fitted perfectly

so i guess that means im wrong then

 

Alright Pete - what did you do with the top hose off the thermostat housing - one side goes to the top of the rad, and the other to the bottom.

What did you then do with the water pump outlet, and the rail along the bottom of the rad?

 

Pete,
Someone had obviously already modded yours for a 2wd rad in the first place .

 

heres an esc cos one to compare

 

funnily enough its for sale

 

As far as i know as i run a 4wd cooling system but a 2wd rad there is NO difference in the rad itself.The bottom pipe that runs to the water pump as rich says maybe dfferent but that not the rad is it.The hoses are all different but not the rad or am i missing something my rad looks identical to the one radman posted up.

 

MIKE1 have sent you pm

 

My rad that i'm running on my car which is 2wd but 4wd cooling system.Which meant changing hoses not RAD