Radiator leak

[kenz240z]

Last night I was driving my 240Z from my sweetheart's place to my uncle's house. I had about a mile to go when the radiator decided to spring a leak ...looks like the seam along the top tank above the fan shroud. Anyone have any good leads on where I might find a suitable replacement? Anyone had good luck with having a radiator repaired? The 240Z isn't my daily driver, but I plan to get it back on the road as soon as I can.

Kenny P.

[Bambikiller240]

If it's just a seam, take it to a Radiator Repair Shop and have them fully open the seam, rodd out the core, and seal it all back up. Cheaper than replacing the radiator. Your local BEST REPUTATION Radiator Repair shop is the place to go for a repair, or a recore if that is needed.

[ChrisA]

Your local BEST REPUTATION Radiator Repair shop is the place to go for a repair, or a recore if that is needed.

Carl hit it right on the head. Ask your friends and co-workers who they've had work done by and if it was quality work. Most rebuild/repairs will be a lot less than a new radiator unless they hose you and you have to go back three times for the same fix. :stupid: Sometimes you learn the hard way!

Chris

[kenz240z]

Hi Chris,

I just now noticed you are in Lincoln. I lived there for 30 years before moving to Colorado. I lived in Havelock, if you're familiar with the area.

One of the challenges of relocating is finding good repair shops, salvage yards, etc...but I did take my radiator to a shop here in Longmont. The guy there found evidence of several previous repairs done before I bought the car and suggested getting a new radiator. So, for $200 I now have a new radiator. Now I just need the time to put everything back together!

Ken

[CNIXZGO]

Radiators.com sell them for liek 120 and i see them on ebay all the time for like $109 at a Buy It Now Price

[Bambikiller240]

and in my opinion many of those found on the internet are of inferior quality. I returned a 1-800-Radiator unit in 2001 because it was so poorly made. Spent $200 on a new core at a local shop with a 3 year warranty. Haven't had a single problem with it since then. Looks brand new inside and out.

[seerex]

tried several ebay/internet rads for my crx and was very disappointed , ended up going to a local shop and was much cheaper and worked better, only bought one rad that worked great from ebay and it was an old stock msa 4 core, unless you are sure of what you are getting buy from a local , easier to strangle too when its not fixed right :rambo:

[ChrisA]

Hi Chris,

I just now noticed you are in Lincoln. I lived there for 30 years before moving to Colorado. I lived in Havelock, if you're familiar with the area.

Ken

Hey Ken, pleased to meet you! I used to live in Bethany and I have some friends in Havelock. Lincoln is still a nice place to live but the taxes are insane.

Hope your radiator project is a success!

Chris

[Daniel]

Go for the 3 row replacement. Good time for new hoses as well. if you get the old ones off without cutting them store them under your spare tire. Never know when that my come in handy.

[kmack]

Go for the 3 row replacement.

I replaced my original radiator with a 3-row replacement I got out of a 280ZX. Grabbed it from Pick-n-Pull. Radiator looked brand new inside & out, not even any of the fins were bent! Walked out the door for $39, including core charge!

Granted, you might not always find a "brand new" looking radiator at Pick-n-Pull or your local junkyard, but at this price, even a decent one is better than spending $200 on one. My opinion of course. The 3-row radiators hang a little lower than the originals, but the extra cooling is very worth it. Especially here in Texas!