I need a new radiator, need advice

[eagle eye]

Looks like I need a new radiator for my 97 firebird. I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions or does it even matter.

[nimrod.sixty9]

Re: I need a new radiator, need advice

In my experience it doesn't matter. Just get a lifetime warranty one and you'll be set!

[enzia35]

Re: I need a new radiator, need advice

Got this link from someone on this site, Kristin I think.
https://www.radiatorbarn.com/search....oduct=radiator

[eagle eye]

Re: I need a new radiator, need advice

well maybe you guys can give me some more advice. I took the car in to get the oil change and the fuel filter replaced, they tol me that they found something other than coolant in the radiator, they beleive that it's the transmission coolant an that the whole thing will need to be replace. The service manager guesstimated that it will run me aroun 400.00 give or take. What do you guys think? Sound about right?

[cam98aro]

Re: I need a new radiator, need advice

well maybe you guys can give me some more advice. I took the car in to get the oil change and the fuel filter replaced, they tol me that they found something other than coolant in the radiator, they beleive that it's the transmission coolant an that the whole thing will need to be replace. The service manager guesstimated that it will run me aroun 400.00 give or take. What do you guys think? Sound about right?

you need to check your trans fluid and see if it is milky first.

the trans cooler is in the rad, so when you replace it, the cooler gets replaced also.

$400 seems about normal for changing a rad out, i hope that includes a trans fluid flush also

although i would just do it myself, since it only takes a few bolts to take the old rad out and pop the new one in

[transamtom1]

Re: I need a new radiator, need advice

Here is what I did:

I had a coolant leak and think it was my rad,maybe not though it could be the intake

I got a Spectra Premium #CU1485 the core was about twice as thick as the factory POS.

It fit great and looks better built than the factory junk,a few new clamps,new hoses and couple hours work and she's running like a top.

That old coolant was bad,whew did it smell .

[eagle eye]

Re: I need a new radiator, need advice

Thanks guys for everyones concern. They flushed out everything and gave my car the all clear, turns out the radiator is fine they just couldn't seem to find out what it was.

[Tom Rs]

Re: I need a new radiator, need advice

I'll sell you my old one from my 97 for $50 plus ship if you want. It was in great shape before i swapped in the v8

[Opontee]

Re: I need a new radiator, need advice

My mom had the one in her 97 Exploder rebuilt for $250, and that was taking it to a shop and letting them do all the work. I bought one for my 95 f/b last year from an autoparts store for $165.

[cam98aro]

Re: I need a new radiator, need advice

Thanks guys for everyones concern. They flushed out everything and gave my car the all clear, turns out the radiator is fine they just couldn't seem to find out what it was.

what year is the car?

if it has dexcool the cooling system may have not been properly maintained and it got all muddy

[eagle eye]

Re: I need a new radiator, need advice

97, and that's exactly what it looked like, muddy.

[nimrod.sixty9]

Re: I need a new radiator, need advice

Did they replace with hulk blood or dexcrap? Youll probably have to do a few more flushes to get that crap out of there...

[cjdrake]

Re: I need a new radiator, need advice

metal end caps makes it last longer

[landj]

Re: I need a new radiator, need advice

If and when you decide to change it, don't fall for the "lifetime warranty" crap. What kind of value is it if you have to replace it three times in five years? Might as well just duct tape it together. (okay, don't try that, I was tring to be illustrative). I tried one of those "lifetime warranty" radiators once and a year latter came pinhole leaks. Ended up stopping them up with Barr's Leak stop, but I never knew when the "lifetime warranty" radiator would explode. But I always took comfort in knowing that if my girlfriend was stranded at night in some bad part of town that that "lifetime warranty" meant that I could get a replacement radiator after identifying the body and recovering the car from the bottom of the lake.

If you been using Dexcool, flush it out good. Be sure only to use distilled water. A lot of people want to blame thier ineptness in caring for thier cars on Dexcool by making people who swear by it seem crazy or dumb. Whatever you decide to use, just keep it maintained and you shouldn't have any abnormal problems.

[cam98aro]

Re: I need a new radiator, need advice

97, and that's exactly what it looked like, muddy.

yeah, it had dexcool, open the rad cap up next time you are under the hood and see if they put orange stuff or green stuff in.

if they put the orange stuff in, i would suggest bleeding the system and pouring some distilled water/dexcool safe coolant in.

one of the things that makes dexcool muddy is when air gets into the system or hose water is used, its fairly easy for the dexcool to get low if you have a small leak, air getting into the system and ruining it.

If you been using Dexcool, flush it out good. Be sure only to use distilled water. A lot of people want to blame thier ineptness in caring for thier cars on Dexcool by making people who swear by it seem crazy or dumb. Whatever you decide to use, just keep it maintained and you shouldn't have any abnormal problems.

THANKYOU, i cant stand people that think dexcool is worthless because they ignore properly maintaining their car.

my car had dexcool in it for 9 years and 120k miles with no problems, while my father (who just put hose water in) had it get all muddy and caused the intake to leak