are aluminum radiators generally repairable?, my renegade radiator is leaking : ( Options

[Cairo94507]

That just does not make sense. Aluminum radiators have been the performance solution for decades and I have never heard of them springing leaks routinely. What is going on to cause these units to fail? I do not like the bars leak fix either.

[rmdinmd]

I have never known bars leak to work for any period of time. Years ago if it was just one tube the Radiator shops would close off the leaking tube.

[Cracker]

Jim - I attached a little message on your thread earlier in the alignment post - don't know if you saw it. Anyhow, why don't you consider a steel radiator? I highly doubt weight is important with your application and they are used in OEM ALL the time. I'm using a steel unit and I have a problem OVER cooling. Just another option (that is stronger) and less leak prone. All the best.

Tony

[jimkelly]

I did miss that post. someone mentioned copper core. for $140, i think i'll give aluminum one more try. but will keep steel in mind. thanks (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

Jim - I attached a little message on your thread earlier in the alignment post - don't know if you saw it. Anyhow, why don't you consider a steel radiator? I highly doubt weight is important with your application and they are used in OEM ALL the time. I'm using a steel unit and I have a problem OVER cooling. Just another option (that is stronger) and less leak prone. All the best.

Tony

[crash914]

be sure to use the correct coolant for aluminum.

You might have to use the "Extended life" coolant. Just read the label carefully....usually the color is different. I like BMW coolant, its blue.

[jimkelly]

few more pics of the shrouding.

[dlkawashima]

Back in my day Renegade radiators were made by Ron Davis. Maybe they will warranty their work as they have a rep to keep.

My Renegade radiator also failed. Contacted Ron Davis and they said they will not warranty or even touch a radiator installed with the Renegade Hybrids kit. They said the mounting method is a flawed design that does a poor job of isolating the radiator from the stresses introduced by the relatively flexible nose of the 914.

Renegade now gets their radiators from CBR Performance. I *think* they're custom made for Renegade, but the model that's closest in size is the CBR1003, about 31”X14”X3”. They're not cheap.

The 2000-2005 Celica radiator is approximately the same size and quite a bit cheaper. You can find them all day long on ebay for less than $50 (with plastic water tank). You can even find all aluminum ones for under $100, including shipping.

[jimkelly]

I bought this one today. thanks.

[ThePaintedMan]

Chads74 has a Renegrade radiator too, and he's had it repaired at least twice. Renegade will NOT warranty them, despite the fact that the radiators are $800+. That's (IMG:style_emoticons/default/stromberg.gif) in my opinion - knowing that and how many people are having problems with them tells me they don't value people's business. Right up there with AA.

[Chris H.]

Dang that Celica radiator is really becoming the standard! I've been using it for a couple of years myself. BIGKAT pointed it out (shocker). Fits great. Cools well.

[Mike Bellis]

Dang that Celica radiator is really becoming the standard! I've been using it for a couple of years myself. BIGKAT pointed it out (shocker). Fits great. Cools well.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

Works great!

[jimkelly]

ray (aka: A&P Mech) provided me these additional pics of his celica radiator install. many thanks to ray for sharing these with us (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

and here is his link to the grommets he used. I think the tabs at the top of the radiator have a different OD then the bottom tabs. I will confirm. I plan to make vibration cushions of similar dimension with smooth-on product.

[A&P Mech]

Jim, you are correct. The top and bottom isolation mount posts are different sizes. The post for the lower mount is larger than the top. All the pictures of the radiator that I found show the radiator sitting up side down from the way the that the Toyota OEM lower vibration mounts would dictate. I mounted mine based on that.

[76-914]

Jim, once your radiator is installed and topped off with fluids take your VOM and place your + lead in the liquid and the - lead to ground. Your checking for stray voltage which will amplify the electrolysis. Do the check with the key on and off. Let us know what you find. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[jimkelly]

i'm thinking you are serious? just never heard anyone mention this before but then again, most of us to not have a radiator in our cars. you are wondering is stray voltage could be exacerbating a corrosion issue in my coolant system. interesting (IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif)

Jim, once your radiator is installed and topped off with fluids take your VOM and place your + lead in the liquid and the - lead to ground. Your checking for stray voltage which will amplify the electrolysis. Do the check with the key on and off. Let us know what you find. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[76-914]

Absotootely. The reason I wanted to see the voltage with key on/off is to isolate and ground any devices dumping voltage into the coolant. The transmission even does it to some extent. You, and I repeat, you cannot have too many grounds. In severe instances you can use an anode fitting to control it. Your Al radiator and CI block are worlds apart on the Galvanic chart. This will get you up to date............ http://www.engineersedge.com/galvanic_capatability.htm

[dakotaewing]

ray (aka: A&P Mech) provided me these additional pics of his celica radiator install. many thanks to ray for sharing these with us (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

and here is his link to the grommets he used. I think the tabs at the top of the radiator have a different OD then the bottom tabs. I will confirm. I plan to make vibration cushions of similar dimension with smooth-on product.

Jim or Ray, can you provide the link for the grommets please?

Also, Ray do you have any more detail images of your mounting frame,
especially where the mount bolts into the body at the base,
and the mounts at the top connecting to the radiator?

Thanks so much for what you have already provided !

Thanks! Thom

[A&P Mech]

ray (aka: A&P Mech) provided me these additional pics of his celica radiator install. many thanks to ray for sharing these with us (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

and here is his link to the grommets he used. I think the tabs at the top of the radiator have a different OD then the bottom tabs. I will confirm. I plan to make vibration cushions of similar dimension with smooth-on product.

Jim or Ray, can you provide the link for the grommets please?

Also, Ray do you have any more detail images of your mounting frame,
especially where the mount bolts into the body at the base,
and the mounts at the top connecting to the radiator?

Thanks so much for what you have already provided !

Thanks! Thom

The link for the lower vibration mounts is:
http://www.amazon.com/Genuine-Toyota-16535...adiator+Support





There are a few more pictures in my build thread.

[dakotaewing]

Thanks Ray! What were you using for the uppers?
I looked at the images for your thread, but didn't see a reference.
Looks like a aluminum mount with the rubber bushing ?
Thanks again for the additional images !

[A&P Mech]

You are correct. I made aluminum mount and found a thick walled rubber gommet at the local hardware store that fit the radiator.