Hi all,

Been a while for me since I've been on here.

Two years and one month ago, I replaced my radiator with an OEM one from eBay that cost £55ish, with two year warranty. I've done maybe 4000 miles since then.

I took a trip to get some petrol and noticed a leak. When I got home, had a look and it seems to be coming from the bottom of the new radiator. Because it was new, I've tried some k-seal (or whatever it's called) but had no effect.

Seems apparent I'm going to need to replace again, I'll get an aluminium one this time, but why on earth has it gone? Would that indicate that my engine is not standard? I was looking at upgrading air filter and getting remap done but this has kind of thrown that plan out the window. I'd love to get her in to a specialist for a once over, but until my business picks up I'm kind of stuck, and I really don't want to have to let her go.

So before I start hunting for an upgraded radiator, I thought I'd see if anyone could shed some light on the situation for me

 

Where is it actually leaking from ?
Does the car have anti freeze in ?

 

Now you have put K seal in it, the next thing is no heat from the heater matrix, as all that stuff does in clog the small tubes running through it.

 

Yeah, has antifreeze. Leak appears to be at the bottom of the new rad, where the aluminium is crimped onto the plastic.

I know the sealants aren't the best, but considering I can't afford to replace radiator again, i thought it was worth a shot

 

^^^^this^^^^
Worst thing you could have done,could be costly,flush that cr@p out asap.

Can you see the water coming from the rad? You sure it's not just a hose?
If it is the rad and money is tight,might be worth trying to source a 2nd hand one cheap. Saying that a new one isn't expensive and very easy to fit yourself.

 

Well Ive already replaced rad before, clear I need an ally one. Hoped some sealant would get me through the winter. I'll flush the system before I fit new rad.

I can see seeping coming from the front of the rad, all hoses look fine, but can't quite see the bottom/back of rad without lifting car.

I'd like to know WHY first before I do anything, not looking to have to buy a rad every 4k

 

Get the head gaskets checked if you can't see any obvious damage,
Rads last 10 years plus if all is well.

 

What checks can I do on the drive for that, without compression tester etc?

 

You bought a cheap 55 quid one off ebay, thats your problem. You say its oem, subaru charge over 200 for an oem rad.

 

Fair point, but the original rad that was in there split the plastic at the top, fairly sure that was genuine.

 

Yeah but it did more than 4000 miles. lol

 

I paid £65 for mine, and it came in the same box as a Subaru Rad, my dealer used the same place as it was them that put me in touch with the rad place.

 

buy a sniff test kit then,
you can do a compression check on the drive, but that wouldn`t really show you what you wanted anyway. . .

 

I've never heard of a sniff test. Just done a little Google, looks like a very cool piece of kit, so I'll see if anyone I know has one I can borrow.

Seems sensible to check that first before looking for a new rad, especially if it means an engine rebuild :/ sounds very expensive

 

you can get the radiator repair if cash is tight

 

To be honest I don't think its worth repairing.

I'll go down the aluminium rad route when finance allows, although more than likely a used one

 

£55 does not sounds like a proper subaru rad, sure it wasn;t just a copy?

some listings on ebay are 'oem quality'

 

Yeah, may well have been. Needless to say that it's lesson learnt for me, won't be buying that sort of thing on eBay again

 

I can't post in the "wanted" section, but I am looking for a replacement aluminium radiator now. I don't mind if it is a used one as long as it's on good condition.

If you have one for sale or know someone who does, please let me know

 

Mine sprung a leak yest got tolook into where its coming from but think its the rad. Looking at this. Any good? Also any suggestions on what coolant to use?

http://www.eurocarparts.com/mobile/e...38305a4&000261