So while filling up my coolant today I noticed a decent size hole in the radiator. It has 100k miles on it anyway so I guess it was due. Any recomendations on what brand and wehre to buy a radiator from. Im not going tubro so I dont think I need a high performance one, unless its reasonable. How is radiator.com and radiatorbarn.com. Im checking them out now,a nd tomorrow Im going to my mechanic see what he says.

 

radiatorbarn.com

got mine in 2 days. they ship from NC for NJ.

i actually just ordered another one on Monday and got it Thursday for my sister's corolla. installed it with no problems. they sent me a CSF one.

i replaced the one on my Integra last summer and got a ACDelco sent to me that time.

 

My radiator blew at a little under 100k. I replaced it with another OEM-type. Since I dropped my car, my car would take potholes pretty bad sometimes depending on the size of the hole. I ended up cracking the plastic on the radiator in less than a month. I went with an all aluminum one that has given me no problems in over a year now.

I believe there are all aluminum radiators out there for like $200 these days. I'm sure someone would point you in the correct direction if you chose this route.

Btw, when you change out your radiator, it's probably a good time to swap out your hoses for new ones and also swap out your thermostat if you haven't done so.

 

hoses are brand new, thermostat isnt. Radiatorbarn has OE style for $114, and all metal for $175 shipped. And radiator.com has OE for $125 lifetime warranty. Only thing is I think I have to have a mechanic install it, but Ill see if my mechanic can jsut give me a receipt saying he did. O plus I have a $25 off coupon for radiator.com so its only $100 for a radiator with a lifetime warranty, plus shipping I believe.

 

If it were me. I would just go ahead with the all aluminum one for $175. Especially since you said you needed a mechanic to install it for a receipt. It may cost more in the beginning, but atleast you won't have to install another one with downtime for you car if your plastic on breaks again.

 

well the one for $175 is metal, and the aluminum one is $250. Unless thats a "racing aluminum" radiator. The thing was I was goign to install it myself, radiators are easy, and just have my mechanic write a receipt that he did it when he really didnt. Its worth a try, hes a cool guy like that.