My radiator sprang a leak at the radiator-endtank connection a few weeks ago after 167k miles, which I suppose is acceptable.
A new radiator for a non-turbo automatic is $360 from the dealership. Subiegal can get you one for $307+shipping. Thinking I might be able to save a few bucks I went to autozone to see what they had, and last Monday I ordered their fanciest radiator for $180. It claimed to be heavy duty. They claimed it would fit. I picked it up Wednesday, and from my brief inspection it looked to be about right. It had lines for the trasmission cooler which was a good sign. It also said made in mexico on the side which I guess could be a bad sign. Then Thursday at lunch I decided to open up the box.
The hose attachments were in generally the right place, but there was nowhere for a radiator cap. It had one small fill/drain hole on the side, and barb for a coolant tank was on the wrong side. Or upside down or something. Oh no bad. I'm driving to Phoenix on Tuesday to spend thanksgiving with my aunt and uncle.After a slightly frantic phone call to subarugenuine parts, I found out that Subiegal was unavailable and they didn't have one in stock. Luckily Timmons Subaru is just down the street from where I work, and said they could have one in by Monday. Their price? $395. I was like, uh, MSRP for that is $359.99. I can get it for $307 online. He dropped the price to MSRP and I got to go down there and spend a total of $390 to get one here. Damn. I even went in there with a printout that had the $307 price and he wouldn't come down. Not much I could do at that point.
Moral of the story is that if I had called Jamie in the first place I would have saved myself about $50 and a lot of trouble. Also Autozone is not a good place to buy a radiator.
I've heard of a koyo all aluminum one but I think it's only for turbos. As far as I can tell from searching, there are a few places you can get one, namely performance radiator.
Extra searching seems to indicate I may have recieved a turbo radiator. Oh well I'll have an OEM replacement which I guess is good.
My radiator adventure
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You really have to watch autozone and advance auto when you buy things for the legacy. The way there computers list items is very weird. Last time I went I watched as the guy sellected a 93 SS (correct) and when he went to spark plugs it listed items that said non-turbo. I have noticed the same thing when I have bought items for my NA...the computer will say Turbo only.
Well I got my shiny OEM Subaru radiator tonight and installed it in the dark with a headlamp. I wanted to do a nice write up with pictures and all that but there was a bit of a time issue plus it was dark. Bleeding sucks- I still hear air bubbles, although I drove on the freeway for 10min at 90 and the temp didn't move. I just got a big bubble out of there and I'll burp it again tomorrow morning when I change my oil before I leave.
The only additional tip I can think of is to buy new hose clamps and some 3/8"ID fuel hose if you drive an automatic. getting the lines off the transmission cooler sucked and I am not 100% about one of the lines I put back on. I bought hose and it was the wrong size so I re-used the old tubing.
The only additional tip I can think of is to buy new hose clamps and some 3/8"ID fuel hose if you drive an automatic. getting the lines off the transmission cooler sucked and I am not 100% about one of the lines I put back on. I bought hose and it was the wrong size so I re-used the old tubing.