yact: Saturn SL2 1992 radiator leak

[BullyCanadian]

I havent driven it since Sept, just got it insured again for the summer (drive my '04 Sentra at University and this during summer) But since then it has acquired a very nasty radiator leak. I took it to my mechanic and he tried "squeezing" the bottom of the radiator to fix it and no go.

How good are those radiator leak sealers you can buy at like walmart? Would u reccomend it? Also it is the Radiator ITSELF leaking not any of the pipes or anything? Or would you know approx. How much a new rad would cost? I can get my friend to install it.

 

[thedarkwolf]

$80 from autozone/advanced

 

[BullyCanadian]

Originally posted by: thedarkwolf
$80 from autozone/advanced

that for the rad it self? or the sealer?

 

[91TTZ]

Originally posted by: thedarkwolf
$80 from autozone/advanced

Bad idea.

I also have a 1992 SL2, and I also had my radiator go on me. I bought that radiator from Autozone and it's a POS made in China. The drain cock instantly stripped on it, and upon further investigation I saw that the threads on it were made of plastic.

Horrible quality.

 

[Insane3D]

If you are going to keep the car for awhile, don't use the leak stoppers While they tend to gumm up most leaks, they also can do their work inside the engine and block coolant passages. Your best bet is to just get a new radiator.. A autozone one might not be the best, but ti should have some sort of warranty, and they are fairly straight forward to install.

Parts America has one for $148 with a lifetime warranty

Looks like Autozone has a GDI unit for $148 as well, but only a 3 month warranty...

 

[thedarkwolf]

Well the one I bought from autozone has a lifetime warranty and it works fine.

 

[Black88GTA]

I had to replace the rad in my T/A a while back. I got the cheapest one I could find ($117), cause I didn't have much money at the time. It's gone 5 years and 40k miles so far, and no problems at all.

 

[Insane3D]

Originally posted by: thedarkwolf
Well the one I bought from autozone has a lifetime warranty and it works fine.

I looked up radiators @ Autozone's site for a 92 SL, and there is only one choice. It is a GDI, and it states a 3 month warranty. Was the one you picked up for a Saturn?

 

[ttown]

You might try http://performanceradiator.com/

I bought one for an old honda -- reasonable cost and good quality.
Recomended them recently to a friend with an Alpha Romao and he was happy, too.

 

[TwoBills]

I'd probably just buy the cheapest rad. I could find. Probably be an AZ Chinese model. However, in the mean time, instead of a sealer off the shelf (they plug everything, BTW) I'd just put a couple of tablespoons of black pepper in there. Course ground if the leak is really bad.

 

[Summitdrinker]

common saturn problem, don't try using the drain valve if it has one

 

[myusername]

Originally posted by: Insane3D
Looks like Autozone has a GDI unit for $148 as well, but only a 3 month warranty...

GDI is made in mexico and have heard bad things about quality in past couple years. Should be able to find something from Modine or CSF for similar price.

 

[Insane3D]

Originally posted by: myusername

Originally posted by: Insane3D
Looks like Autozone has a GDI unit for $148 as well, but only a 3 month warranty...

GDI is made in mexico and have heard bad things about quality in past couple years. Should be able to find something from Modine or CSF for similar price.

I was going to mention that. IIRC, Peb Boys carries Modine as their main radiator supplier...you just can't search them online.

 

[SuperSix]

I've had excellent luck with http://www.radiator.com