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Vn series 1 Radiator drama

NickCook

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I had my daily check on car to find no water in the radiator so filled up started found a small hole squirting when hot out the side under top hose trying now to chase one up not going to happen plenty vs radiators around what will I need to do is it a simple swap Upgrade from vn to vs ?????
 

JetJackson

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I had my daily check on car to find no water in the radiator so filled up started found a small hole squirting when hot out the side under top hose trying now to chase one up not going to happen plenty vs radiators around what will I need to do is it a simple swap Upgrade from vn to vs ?????

Depends on what you want to do. The VS radiator may fit, but it has a radiator cap, where the VN s1 doesn't, the overflow is done at surge tank. I have just done a mod on my s1 VN, replacing the radiator with that from VR/VS and modded the cap on the surge tank so it doesn't overflow and used the normal radiator cap to take overflow to thermo syphon tank. Check my post here:
vn-v6-s1-cooling-system-mod.html
 

hi_ryder

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hit ebay, theres heaps of series 1 radiators new and reconditioned. all for under $100 shipping included... saves you messing around modding stuff, it will be a direct replacement. ive got a SSS chinese radiator in mine, put it in a year ago. no problems yet, not only that i paid $77 for it.

COMMODORE VN V6 SERIES 1 RADIATOR AUTO/MAN "BRAND NEW" | eBay
 

NickCook

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Does the vp vs radiator system stay cooler if I changed from series one set up or no difference what so ever
 

NickCook

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Thanks anyways but Need to sort before Work Monday
 

Cheap6

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For a temporary fix, which would buy you some time to sort it out, you might try using a repair kit. You need one that uses epoxy and fibreglass. Keep the surfaces to be bonded clean but other than that it's easy. I repaired one radiator a few years ago which held for a couple of years before splitting in another spot and requiring replacement.

(It helps to not lean on the radiator fan shroud when working around the engine bay too.)
 

hi_ryder

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Does the vp vs radiator system stay cooler if I changed from series one set up or no difference what so ever

changing over from series 1 is a bigger job than you think. totally different inlet manifold plus anyone correct me if im wrong, you have to drill a hole in the head somewhere without getting metal shavings down the hole. id just do a patch for now and order a new one. plus the engine is designed to run at a certain temperature, making it run cooler could mess up your fuel economy.
 

JoshSvc

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if its a small pin hole you can buy this stuff called seal-tab, its a powder you put in your radiator and it blocks small holes in the engine cooling system and radiator permanetly, atleast until you flush the system, its great stuff, i wouldnt promote it unless i have used it and it worked for me, i had a pin hole in my old vc radiator, i noticed the leak and already had sealtab in the system. I thought i would give it a chance and drove it 20 minutes home, by the time i got home the hole was sealed with minimal coolant loss.
 

PUSHIN

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I replaced the radiator on my S1 vn about 18-24 months ago, I went to my local natrad and got one for under $200 (can't remember exactly, but it wasn't what I'd call expensive)

Honestly it wasn't hard to find at all, and I didn't even think about doing any s2 radiator conversion as from what I know there's a bit of work involved, I still probably wouldn't even bother..

I'd also suggest replacing your thermostat and maybe your water pump while you're there too, I noticed a very big difference after changing the radiator, thermostat, water pump as well as all hoses, wasn't worried about temperature for months (until I lost all of my coolant, probably because I'm an idiot, and well.. water doesn't seem too cool as well as coolant, plus I haven't got around to putting the bottle I have, into the car.. :p)

Good luck either way! and when you replace the radiator I suggest giving the system a fairly good flush, I went the hack on mine for 30-60 minutes and it didn't get dirty again for a long time, I feel with a good flush along with correct maintenance every so often a good system will go far. (also, I was told by the local radiator joint not to put the 'radiator flush' stuff through my system, I had the cash out prepared to buy it and the bloke selling me coolant told me not to bother, and just to be very thorough with water.)
 
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