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Thread: radiator leak

  1. #1
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    Default radiator leak

    Today my radiator died, the drivers side plastic bit that connects to the return hose had split, and spilled coolant everywhere. the car has only done 148000 km and this happens, which they are meant to last for more than 200000 kms before replacement?

    Anyway i was wanting to know if i should get an ls1 radiator as these are all aluminum and none of this plastic crap that will break? or if it will fit the v6

    thanks

  2. #2
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    REDHOT VX SS

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    mine died the exact same way at 185... so there is no set time that it should break lol

    do you plan on doing nother 200,000km in your car? if not just buy a replacement radiator lol cost me $170 and fitted it myself.. easy to do

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    yeh it died around the corner from the mechanics i go to so they are giving me a quote. im sure i can replace it myself just cant drive it without coolant.

    I am abit pissed off with holden that they use this plastic around the radiator, doesn't shout quality. Not sure why they could not have used aluminum like the vx ss ones.

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    That's not too bad mileage for it. I got one from ebay, had it delivered the next day for $100. Easy as piss to install. Runs nice and cool and had no probs, even running car hard doesn't affect it. Pretty good quality for a cheap radiator.

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    ls1 radiators still have plastic tanks the same as v6, they will not fit a v6, get one from ebay for about $100 make sure you run the right coolant concentrate and then top it up with a bottle of distilled water. in my experience i wouldnt try and flush the system as other parts such as water pump may start leaking from removing build up. if you only got 148k i would think someone had been runnning plain water in it somewhere along the line.

  8. #8
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    DLFHUB666 is offline Got Milk ???
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    Quote Originally Posted by vxcommie View Post
    . Not sure why they could not have used aluminum like the vx ss ones.
    The vx ss never had alloy tank radiators from the factory an the ls1 radiator will not fit the v6. try this:Alloy Performance Radiator Commodore VT VX V6 Auto New | eBay or if its to much: Holden VX Commodore V6 New Alloy Core Radiator | eBay dont expect the 2nd one to last to long though.
    Take it easy...But do take it...

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  9. #9
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    wrx884 is offline WA's ASR Rep
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    makes u wonder y they changed from bass radiators in the 1st place. least they can b fixed so they r brand new and cost less 2 fix than buying a new alloy 1
    Check out my ride in progress.... 98 VT V6, V8 Supercar kitted
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    They changed from brass, copper and lead solder 1st because alloy ones are far cheaper to make and 2nd alloy ones are half the weight of brass and copper. There is also an environment pollution element in the lead used to seal the brass and copper ones

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    Quote Originally Posted by vxcommie View Post

    I am abit pissed off with holden that they use this plastic around the radiator, doesn't shout quality. Not sure why they could not have used aluminum like the vx ss ones.
    Get over it mate you got 10 years out of it and they take 100 bucks and half an hour to replace.

  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by monkeys437 View Post
    get over it mate you got 10 years out of it and they take 100 bucks and half an hour to replace.
    ohhhhh snap!!!

  13. #13
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    i agree its 10 years old, but i do have a point, and it has been looked after and changed coolant when it is due

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