Plastic vs. aluminum radiator

The part you miss is that the radiator itself expands and contracts,and the
plastic tanks may not stay sealed to the aluminum core,nor is ordinary road
shock and vibration healthy for the plastic/metal seals.

Stick to Jeeps.

 

The part you miss is that the radiator itself expands and contracts,and the
plastic tanks may not stay sealed to the aluminum core,nor is ordinary road
shock and vibration healthy for the plastic/metal seals.

Stick to Jeeps.

 

The part that you miss is that the Jeep has a plastic tank radiator in it
too, and I haven't seen this happen. I didn't like the idea of a plastic
radiator twelve years ago when I bought the Jeep, but I am getting used to
it. The Civic I also have seems to be doing OK with a plastic radiator.
I used to see all metal radiators pop solder joints from heat, vibration,
who knows? Maybe the plastic ones are better.

Earle

 

The part that you miss is that the Jeep has a plastic tank radiator in it
too, and I haven't seen this happen. I didn't like the idea of a plastic
radiator twelve years ago when I bought the Jeep, but I am getting used to
it. The Civic I also have seems to be doing OK with a plastic radiator.
I used to see all metal radiators pop solder joints from heat, vibration,
who knows? Maybe the plastic ones are better.

Earle

 

Check out www.radiatorwarehouse.com. I needed a new radiator for my '98 CRV
and they sent me a Honda OEM unit. The only difference being the filler neck
was slightly longer. Otherwise, it was a dead-ringer for the one that it
replaced. In fact, 'Honda" on the plastic tanks had been ground down but you
could still read it pretty easily.

The price was right and it arrived at my door in two days. I recommend them
highly.

 

The only plastic tank radiator I've had apart was on our '85 Volvo. The
tanks were crimped on and sealed with big honkin' O rings. That tank failed
when the hot coolant from the upper radiator hose eroded through the
plastic - the Volvo gurus tell me that is the common way they fail. My
favorite radiator shop replaced the upper tank with a metal one made for a
Chevy radiator.

Mike

 

The only plastic tank radiator I've had apart was on our '85 Volvo. The
tanks were crimped on and sealed with big honkin' O rings. That tank failed
when the hot coolant from the upper radiator hose eroded through the
plastic - the Volvo gurus tell me that is the common way they fail. My
favorite radiator shop replaced the upper tank with a metal one made for a
Chevy radiator.

Mike

 

do they know about corrosion of dissimilar metals? unless the tank is
the same alloy as the rad, there's going to be trouble.

 

do they know about corrosion of dissimilar metals? unless the tank is
the same alloy as the rad, there's going to be trouble.

 

This will probably be all right if he follows a reasonable coolant change
schedule. There is a voltmeter test you can do too, to see whether
electrolytes are building up. Basically, that tells you whether it is too
late or not. ;^)

Earle

 

This will probably be all right if he follows a reasonable coolant change
schedule. There is a voltmeter test you can do too, to see whether
electrolytes are building up. Basically, that tells you whether it is too
late or not. ;^)

Earle

 

right, for stuff /inside/ the rad, but not the stuff outside!

 

right, for stuff /inside/ the rad, but not the stuff outside!