Am I due for a new radiator?

1994viper · Apr 14, 2010

Came home today and found a small leak under the front facia.

Openned a hood and found the source. It looks like the rad was spraying coolant from the top drivers side corner.

What should I do now? Replace the whole thing or its fixable. Would rather go for a cheaper solution if there is one.

Please see the pictures

You must be registered for see images

Chuck 98 RT/10 · Apr 14, 2010

Used will cost about $400 US. Rebuild around $200 but shop around to find a reliable builder. JonB can fix you up.

00prowler · Apr 15, 2010

Buy an aluminum radiator from Alan's performance...great fit...reasonable price...watch your temp gauge go down...cooler running= more power...Al

plumcrazy · Apr 15, 2010

im gonna buy an alans one if mine ever goes.

DanielR · Apr 15, 2010

I had a leak on the driver's side lower tank of my 99 GTS. A new radiator at the time was MSRP $876.50. I considered going with a new aluminum radiator that was slightly less expensive. I also contacted a local Viper tuner and they had a take off for $250.

I decided that I would try to find a reputable radiator repair shop in town. The repair cost me about $75. It has run fine since.

My logic was that if the repair did not work out; I'm out $75 and would try the local take off or a new aluminum radiator and still pay less than a new stock radiator.

jdeft1 · Apr 15, 2010

00prowler said:
Buy an aluminum radiator from Alan's performance...great fit...reasonable price...watch your temp gauge go down...cooler running= more power...Al

Ditto.... I have one too. Only issue was the mounting studs on the top were a different thread pitch than stock, resulting in my breaking both of them short.. Had to make some custom fasteners.

You must be registered for see images attach

Camfab · Apr 15, 2010

The worst part about the stock radiator is that the core is bound with steel shipping straps. The straps are painted on the outside, but the side facing the radiator gets no corrosion protection. My car which never sits outside had one of the straps rust out. I visually caught the potential disaster before it took out my fans. My guess is that while detailing the car, I had always sprayed the radiator with water to clean it out. The straps rusted out at the bottom of the radiator where moisture collected. In my opinion it's a terrible design. I had the extended warranty and got a new radiator. I actually sprayed the bottom section of the straps with Rustoleum to prevent future problems before I installed the unit. That Max-Care warranty was worth every penny, I only wish I still had it.

Cool fastners Jdeft1!

sdaddy · Apr 15, 2010

Back before Stop Leak there was a product called Egg White. They actually used to put egg whites in leaking Model T radiators under the theory that the egg whites would cook under temperature and seal the radiator leak. Kind of like bananas in a noisy differential.

Viper Wizard · Apr 15, 2010

sdaddy said:
Kind of like bananas in a noisy differential.

Locust chips work better. :smirk:

1994viper, find a good radiator shop and repair it.

1994viper · Apr 15, 2010

Thank you all for the advise. I think I am going to take it off and send it for the repairs. Any pointers on how to take it off? Do I need to take off the bumper? Or it could be done without removing the hood and bumper. Is there a step by step guide on how to pull this off?

jdeft1 · Apr 15, 2010

Step 1) Get a manual.... but it's not ******* a '94...
Most guys would remove the hood. I didn't. Here's what I did:

remove air box assy.
Drain radiator by removing the bottom hose (not by the drain plug)
remove upper hose
unplug fan and remove fan assy (fastened to the back of radiator).
unscrew the two nuts at top front
you may need to remove the drivers side hood spring (support the hood and remove it, I used a 2X4)
radiator leans back and pull up to remove

Hope I didn't miss a step!

plumcrazy · Apr 16, 2010

4 bolts and the hood is off. takes 2 people though.
goes on just as easy

Am I due for a new radiator?

1994viper

Enthusiast

Chuck 98 RT/10

Enthusiast

00prowler

Enthusiast

plumcrazy

Enthusiast

DanielR

Viper Owner

jdeft1

Enthusiast

Camfab

Enthusiast

sdaddy

Enthusiast

Viper Wizard

Enthusiast

1994viper

Enthusiast

jdeft1

Enthusiast

plumcrazy

Enthusiast

Similar threads

Latest posts

Members online

Forum statistics

Share this page