Coolant leak from radiator...

sky_lennard · 05-16-2004, 07:41 PM

CAR: 97 SC2

I don't really want to replace the whole radiator if I can help it, but I do have a leak on the driver's side of the radiator. The tech that pointed it out to me indicated that it was coming from a plastic tank that's attached to the side of the radiator, and I might be able to replace just that tank without the expense of swapping the whole rad out. Is this possible?

Thanks!

U2slow · 05-16-2004, 08:00 PM

Many radiator repair companies will tell you that they can't repair it due to the fact that it has plastic tanks, but it is possible for them to replace these tanks if you can find one that will. However, if you compare the price of doing this and having one new tank, to replacing the radiator and having two new tanks along with an internally clean radiator, I would personally go with a new radiator (aftermarket). I understand the idea of expense and this isn't coming from someone with money to throw around, it's just my personal opinion.

sky_lennard · 05-16-2004, 08:06 PM

Really...

BTW I do all my own labor so i'm really just looking at the cost of the parts. I will try to get in touch with saturn's parts dept, but I really just wanted to know if it is possible to replace just the tanks. From your answer I would deduce that you can?

What's the parts cost of a complete rad w/ tanks versus just 1 tank by itself?

thanks!

U2slow · 05-16-2004, 08:18 PM

I just went through the same thing awhile back with mine. I paid about $120 for a new radiator, and I think the best quote I got for replacing the tank was around $70 (labor included) I didn't look into buying the tank and doing it myself. I do most of my own labor as well, but this is something I didn't feel too confident about.

sky_lennard · 05-16-2004, 08:23 PM

OK thanks.

Thinking about it, if my car doesn't start overheating (it's not currently) it would be worth it to budget the cost of a new rad and repl it at some point in the future..since i'm over 115k mi on the car anyway...preventative maintenance, right?

budiceman0 · 05-17-2004, 02:09 PM

I would just replace the whole radiator it will save money in the long run

The plastic tanks crack right down the middle is very common on these stock radiators I seen a couple
bud

Blkdrgn99 · 05-17-2004, 05:44 PM

My radiator did the same crap! It cracked right down the middle of the drivers side plastic tank. Had to replace it with the radiator of my 99sc

Artificialist · 05-17-2004, 05:55 PM

This happens to many rads.
In an old Honda I had, I put JB weld on the radiator, as a temporary fix. I sold that car, so I don't know if the driver is still using the JB weld repair a year and a half later.

tristanlee85 · 05-17-2004, 05:57 PM

$120 for a new one!? Damn. Maybe I got ripped off. Mine was around $205...:-\

MD_BLUE_SL2 · 05-17-2004, 07:51 PM

Replace it with a radiator that has metal tanks.