New Radiator

[Dale Reed]

My mechanic has discovered a crack in the top of my 90 W250 radiator but is having trouble finding a new radiator. Do any of you know where to buy one or if they are not available anymore how would you repair yours? I live in Seattle, WA. Thanks for the help. Dale

 

[JLEONARD]

3 years ago I bought a new radiator for my 91 and had zero trouble finding one thru a radiator repair shop. Is your mechanic looking there rather than thru a parts house?

 

[Curious Dave]

If you have the $$$ go with a Griffin.

 

[Dale Reed]

Tried a few parts houses but they shipped the wrong radiators. I told him this morning to get it repaired so maybe the repair company will already have a radiator in stock. Thanks for the idea.

 

[Firstgenfanantic]

I have not had to repair or replace my 1st gen radiator. I'm sure an industrial radiator shop in the Puget Sound area could get what your looking for. I am just glad that these tanks are not plastic like newer vehicles! :-laf So is the tank leaking or someplace on the fins/core?

 

[NOTABLAZER]

Not sure if you have a car quest nearby (or maybe you've already tried) but they had one in stock at my local warehouse. I was damn suprised...

 

[Dale Reed]

Sorry about originally saying the leak is at the top of the radiator, it is at the bottom.



Mechanic showed me the wet area below the radiator near the bottom hose. I told him that I pull the hose off to drain the radiator during the yearly drain and install of new Prestone and if I don't tighten the clamp tight enough it leaks something like that.



I, and the mechanic, will know more about the leak when the radiator is removed to be repaired and whatever else they do to rejuvenate a radiator. As I remember this is the second time my truck's radiator has been repaired.



Noticed a few years ago that the round disk-like supports/bumpers below the radiator looked like they were getting old and possibly failing. Assumed they were not important because the radiator is held from above but maybe not.

 

[Mel Fuelling]

carparts.com for a new radiator 2 years ago for a 93.



The bottom hose fitting gets a lot of shaking at start up and shutdown; I took one of mine out that was starting to seep and built up a lot of solder on the joint. It hasn't leaked any more in the last 5 years since then.

 

[Paychk]

One other thing to check, is the motor mounts. When they tear, the motor moves a lot and puts extra strain on the radiator hose necks.