My end tank cracked on the passenger side near the top facing the front of the car. The crack is still very small but coolant splurts out of the plastic if I drive it longer then 10 minutes.
I've read this is a common problem on 1990 Legacys.
My Question is where can I find the best aluminum one online? (I don't want to mix metals)
and could a person with minimal experience change the radiator? Is there an online guide with pictures? I'm not too familiar with "burping" So any information on that would be helpful.
Thanks again all, this board has already been helpful in pointing me in the right direction. I just need the specifics for my Manual 5-Speed 1990 Legacy LS No Turbo
It is a common problem with most cars actually, It isn't hard to change the radiator, all you will need is either a 10 mm wrench or socket and ratchet and a 12mm. If your car is a manual trans it makes it even easier, unbolt the two 12mm bolts from the radiator support, take the hoses off and unplug the fans, after that IIRC with the 1990 you should be able to lift the radiator out and then lay it next to the new one and swap the fans over.
Burping the cooling system is also pretty easy, if your new radiator comes with a bleed screw just unscrew it and fill it up with your coolant mix until it gets to the top and install the screw. If it doesn't come with a bleed screw, fill up the radiator and start the car with the radiator cap off, run the car and "massage" the lower radiator hose every once in a while until the fan comes on and the lower hose is hot, the air is gone from the cooling system if the fan shuts off.
The dealers that I have worked for always go through Mac's Radiator if the customer does not want OEM, I think it is a reasonable price but you may be able to find cheaper elsewhere.
Is this the correct size? Any opinions? I can't tell if it's aluminum or not. Also since radiator express has a price match guarantee I was wondering if you guys knew any other good websites I could check out. I'm hopefully going to order it today and pick it up at the distribution center later.
Where are you located?
I have a brand new, in box, brass-end-tank radiator I could let go for a reasonable price. I bought it ~1 year ago and didn't end up needing it.
93 legacy wagon L, 22T swapped (TW imitator) now with five forward speeds. (Gone, but never forgotten)
johndrivesabox wrote: Rally, my kyboard is brok, his has nohing o do wih h liquor.
The radiator in that link is the correct one, however I would suggest verifying that it is truly an aluminum radiator. It says OEM quality replacement, which means squat.
Josh, do you recommend I go with an aluminum one then? Is there an aluminum one with copper end tanks? And thanks for the offer beatersubi! I'll let you know soon. I live in Minnesota.
Also if I end up going with the plastic end tanks again, any recommendations so it doesn't happen again?
RhinO wrote:Josh, do you recommend I go with an aluminum one then? Is there an aluminum one with copper end tanks? And thanks for the offer beatersubi! I'll let you know soon. I live in Minnesota.
Also if I end up going with the plastic end tanks again, any recommendations so it doesn't happen again?
Shipping would be prohibitively expensive.
Check with a local radiator shop (that's where I got mine), they can usually get a metal-end-tanked replacement for a reasonable price.
93 legacy wagon L, 22T swapped (TW imitator) now with five forward speeds. (Gone, but never forgotten)
johndrivesabox wrote: Rally, my kyboard is brok, his has nohing o do wih h liquor.
I'd recommend the aluminum radiator. With brass/copper end tanks you can get added corrosion due to dissimilar metals. Koyo makes a replacment radiator that is aluminum with plastic end tanks.
The radiators crack there due to the heat cycling over time....it's just one of those things.
I ended up calling the radiatorexpress.com place asking questions about everything. Although he repeated everything on this site http://www.radiatorexpress.com/faq.asp .
It WAS an aluminum core with plastic Tanks. And it didn't matter that I had an manual or automatic, I just left the hoses for the Automatic plugged.
My Friend helped me with the install, The part + Shipping was 123$, it shipped that day and came in roughly 2 Days in the Afternoon.
The Install went surprisingly well. It was just like you guys said, I needed a 10mm and a 12mm, swapped the fans and put it back paying careful attention to reattach all the hoses. Lastly did the "Burping" Turned up the heat and drove around. It roughly took 1 Thing of Prestone to fill it up, I purchased some Disttilled water from the gas station on my way home from getting the coolant. 50/50 dilution.
Overall, my car got a lot quieter, I had more throttle response, the air works better, no more overheat and it just feels better to drive! Some Pics below of the process. Thanks for the help guys!
So I just did the same radiator replacement as RhinO. The radiator shipped to me within two days (for $125), and it took me about 1-1.5 hours to change out the radiator. There really weren't any issues, it was very straightforward. While I was in the engine bay, I noticed the valve covers were really grimy. I think that will be my next project to tackle.
When I had my state inspection, I took the car to Firestone. They wanted $350 to change out the radiator. So I just saved $225! Thanks guys!
RhinO wrote:Glad My project post helped you! Always feels so good when you save money and get to work on your car!
Always, until you do it for a living and don't want to work on s#*t when you get home from doing it for 10 hours.
Try not to let life wear you down, though, it's better than the alternative.
93 legacy wagon L, 22T swapped (TW imitator) now with five forward speeds. (Gone, but never forgotten)
johndrivesabox wrote: Rally, my kyboard is brok, his has nohing o do wih h liquor.
Thanks for the help guys!
