Cracked Radiator

[holden_chik]

Well this morning I was driving and I could smell coolant (sp?) so I went home and my fiance told me I have a cracked radiator

Now what do I do? I know NOTHING about radiators!!

It's a split through the side of it, not through the pipes but the actual radiator itself.

Is it fixable or do I get a new one? And where do I get them from? And price? .. I told ya I know nothing about them

[KRUPTD]

I would suggest replacing the split radiator with a brand new item.The best bet for is to find a local radiator shop who does mechanical work to get them to fit the new radiator then all the work and parts are under warranty if something was to go wrong once your get your car back.

[holden_chik]

Well, I rang a few places up and it's $255 brand new which is the one I'm gonna get but nothing is open until Monday now

My dad knows how to fit them all in so he's doing it for me.. at least that's good.

[andyman]

is that 255 including fitting? that seems a little high to me

[andyman]

eg,
HOLDEN COMMODORE VY V6 HEAVY DUTY NEW RADIATOR - eBay, Other Car Parts, Accessories, Car Parts, Accessories, Cars, Bikes, Boats. (end time 16-Mar-08 08:22:01 AEDST)

HOLDEN COMMODORE VY V6 AUTO RADIATOR - eBay, Other Car Parts, Accessories, Car Parts, Accessories, Cars, Bikes, Boats. (end time 04-Mar-08 14:30:36 AEDST)

i guess you need it asap tho, so that wont work in your favor to much

[Silver surfer]

depending on where in the radiator its self it can be welded up for example the top radiator tank on my landcruiser cracked and was welded back up. it is however a special weld.

[andyman]

depending on where in the radiator its self it can be welded up for example the top radiator tank on my landcruiser cracked and was welded back up. it is however a special weld.

im guessing that had copper/brass tanks on the cruiser, which can be fixed easily, commos have plastic tanks that are crimped on and when they split price wise your better off getting a newey

[whitey66]

This is a common fault with VY V6 radiators,the plastic in the side tank was not molded correctly (too thin).It's on the passenger side of the radiator right?
Get a qualified repairer to fit a new one,and make sure they use the correct coolant and pellets.

[KRUPTD]

Its a common fault for all commodores fitted with plastic tank radiators to split/crack or bulge in there side tanks.But the most common would have to be VT's in the last month at work we have done 8 radiators in commodore and 5 of them were VT's.

[holden_chik]

This is a common fault with VY V6 radiators,the plastic in the side tank was not molded correctly (too thin).It's on the passenger side of the radiator right?
Get a qualified repairer to fit a new one,and make sure they use the correct coolant and pellets.

Yep it is.

My dad is a qualified and I'm glad I have him because I don't have a clue and wasn't looking forward to paying extra for someone to fit a new one in.

Is $255 too high ya reckon? Just for the new radiator itself.

[tozagirl]

well you could try an old trick , crack an egg wit some pepper in 2 your radiator.you could try an aluminium weld unless its the plastic bit or best off replacing it,jump on ebay.

[whitey66]

Yep it is.

My dad is a qualified and I'm glad I have him because I don't have a clue and wasn't looking forward to paying extra for someone to fit a new one in.

Is $255 too high ya reckon? Just for the new radiator itself.

Yeah,I can get a price for you tomorrow (Tuesday) if you like on a genuine one.I'm a Holden Technician with over 16 years experience on Holdens alone,so i've seen a few of these let go.Some with as little as 5,000kms on them.Is it for an auto or a manual?

Edit:Yeow!! $467 for genuine.I'd get one from Ebay if I were you.They go for around $180 PP.

[holden_chik]

Woah $467!!!

Well, I ended up getting one from the radiator place up the road from me. I rang a few places and some went as high as $380 for just the radiator so $250 was the cheapest I found. I brought the radiator, tubes, coolant, thermstout (sp?) - I pulled that out to keep the car running while the radiator was cracked, I had to get to tafe somehow and some other things, all for $350.

[andyman]

Woah $467!!!

Well, I ended up getting one from the radiator place up the road from me. I rang a few places and some went as high as $380 for just the radiator so $250 was the cheapest I found. I brought the radiator, tubes, coolant, thermstout (sp?) - I pulled that out to keep the car running while the radiator was cracked, I had to get to tafe somehow and some other things, all for $350.

350 for all that aint that bad i guess, good to see your on the road again