Recently i noticed an antifreeze leak under my car...i discovered it was a crack in the drivers side area of the radiator. Now this is a plastic piece mind you, and not(in a manner of speaking) part of the actual radiator. However it is spewing freeze everywhere. My guess is that my thermostat didnt open and the pressure cracked the weakest link. Does anyone know if this could be fixed or replaced without getting a whole new radiator, and of course just for kicks, how much would a new one for a 91 RS cost? Thanks in advance.

 

I had to replace the radiator once in my 86 TA...of course, i was dumb then, and had the dealer do it. It cost me a bit over $400. If you are mechanically inclined, you can probably get a radiator for around $200 or so, and do it yourself. Avoid the dealer if you can...its a rip.

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1986 WS6-Equipped 5.0 TPI Trans Am
Random Tech High-Flow Cat
Two Chamber Flowmaster Muffler
Megs Custom 4.5" Stainless Steel Rolled Tips
1999 Grand Am GT In-Dash CD Player w/Equalizer(fits like '86 original)
5% Tint On Rear, 35% On Sides
http://www.pitt.edu/~zyhst/trans86/

OTHER RIDE:
1998 C5 6Spd. Corvette Coupe
Silver w/Gray Leather Int.
12/14 Options
Stock(for now)
Best 1/4th: 13.5 @ 104.4MPH

 

You have the standard "plastic tank radiator", and they are easy to replace if you have the tools to do it. You can get a Modine radiator from Napa with a lifetime warranty for about $145. If you do it yourself, just be sure to clean up any anti-freeze spill because animals like that stuff. And if you have an auto tranny, be real careful reinstalling the fittings for the lines to the radiator, cuz they're easy to mess up - and costly if you do...

KAM

 

Thunderstick has it right, when I replaced my radiator about a month ago, I did it myself to save some bucks... picked up a used one at a junkyard for 45$. Had them pressure test it and everything. Put it all in and my dad accidentally crossthreaded the cooler fitting on the radiator... pumped out fluid all over, not to mention made the 45$ a complete waste. I was PISSED at him, and basically told him screw you and bought a brand new one with a life-time warranty at a local auto parts store for 134 and thats including tax, put it in myself and no problems.... though I can see how he messed it up, gotta be real careful. If you're going to replace the plastic tank, do it yourself, because by the time you have someone else do it, you'd be paying as much as a used radiator...

Call around to some local (and not so local) places and find the best prices, and what the prices include. Decide fom there.

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1985 Camaro SC - 2.8L, auto.

Mods:
Removed air baffles, mandrel bent cat-back pipes (but stock replacment muffler, Dynomax Turbo and Catco converter are on thier way)

 

I myself have done away with running the tranny fluid lines through the radiator and put in an aftermarket tranny cooler. One time my tranny fluid and coolant mixed to the point that my coolant was brow. One month later I replaced the f**ked up tranny.

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Big 454 72 Chevy Nova
383 86 Camaro Z28
10.5:1compression Dart Aluminum heads 215cc,234dur.488lift exh&int,Edelbrock performer intake, Holley750 vac.sec 400 crank,flat top pistons,edelbrock valve springs and lifters,tranny shift kit,2500 stall converter. Will install 3.73's later on and might go with a more aggresive cam.As of 4/01 added Hooker Headers,2.5inchpipes with 40 s. Flowmasters.Ignition upgrade include: MSD Coil and MSD module.

 

I tried replacing the side tank on my radiator once... got a new side tank gasket from a radiator repair shop for $5, followed the exact procedure, including the tab crimping sequence- and still got a damn leak! I figure I didn't line the gasket up properly, but didn't feel like tearing into it again. I wound up getting a junkyard radiator that looked brand new for $50... good deal!


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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards
---Think your car could be pic of the week? Visit http://www.f-body.net for details!

 

this is where these boards come in handy...
go to a GM parts distributor and buy the replacement side tank, it's like 25. Then find a radiator shop and they do it for like 30 bucks and pressure test it. Just pull your radiator and take it to them. It's too easy. Like 6 bolts is all. I did mine 2 years ago and haven't had a problem since.

 

Like said above, you can get it fixed... but the other side will follow and there is corrosion buildup no matter what you do. For 145 or less, go get a new one. You can install it yourself if you have a little bit of knowledge and a few tools, its not hard at all. Probably a good time to check/replace the hoses as well.

 

had the same problem... was going to get the drivers side tank replaced for about 60 bucks, parts and labour included but when i took a closer look the passenger tank had stress cracks in it... it would have cost 120 to get the two new tanks installed... i bought an aftermarket all steel rad for 130... its been great since

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Mike
88 Iroc-Z 350 tpi, Hedmann Headers, 3" Cat Back, MSD Ignition, K&N, AirFoil