Radiator advice for '92-240 sedan

My 1992-240 sedan has about 225K on it. Still runs great. Had radiator
cleaned 3 years ago. Replaced thermostat a year ago. Have noticed that temp
gauge needle goes above normal range but not quite into "red zone"
occasionally. Have noticed it more lately especially when idling for a few
minutes. Then after driving, it will slowly,over a period of a few minutes
return to the normal range.
Question: With this amount of mileage should I be looking at a new radiator
or should I just remove it and have it cleaned again?
Also, if you think I should get a new radiator, what kind should I get and
are there any web sites with this radiator info?
Thanks.
JB

 

btw. to reply by e-mail, please remove parenthesis.
thanks.
jb

 

There's not really any set mileage, it depends on too many factors to
predict, including both the construction of the radiator and the properties
of the water you put in it. For replacements, Nissens makes a nice 3 row
radiator, I have them in both of my cars and have been very pleased with the
performance.

 

Hello JB:

I concur with what James had to say but might add this: you never
mentioned where you live. Climatic conditions can make a big
difference in how long a radiator lasts.

I live in Upstate NY near Canada and they use salt on the roads--which
can seriously shorten the life of a rad.

One thing I'd suggest is cleaning it front and back with a pressure
washer to determine there is not any debris clogging the cooling fins.

If you need to replace the rad and keep the car for a long time, I'd
suggest you look at the three-row copper rad from FCP Groton
http://www.fcpgroton.com

My recollection is they are about $175 and are made by Nissen--but I
could be wrong on that. Anyway, specs look good and it's the way I'd
go for a car I was going to keep for more than a few years.

Another option is http:/www.eEuroparts.com

They have the OEM rad manufactured by Valeo (same company who makes
them for Volvo) for $120 and change with free shipping this month.
Keep in mind the Valeo is the same as the original OEM and has plastic
tanks. I hear many complaints about the plastic tank rads--but my 93
wagon has the original rad and so far it's fine (not sure if I should
have said that, as for all I know it will fail next week.)


Anyway, I don't work for FCP Groton, eEuro or IPD but have had good
experiences with all of them and have recently ordered parts from
each.

I prefer FCP Groton as they are in Connecticut and I'm in NY, so I
usually have the parts in a day or two at most.

IPD is a different story. I've been buying from them for years and
customer service is great but if one lives on the East Coast I simply
cannot recommend UPS ground for shipping.

My most recent order took 10 days to arrive. I now find out it would
have taken 3 to 5 days via US Postal Service and would not have cost
more.

Allow me to make it clear that this is a UPS issue, and has nothing to
do with the quality of service I've gotten from IPD over the last 25
years

Good Luck,

DOc

 

The biggest problem with the plastic tank radiators is not that they fail,
but the way they fail if/when they do. It's usually catastrophic and results
in complete coolant loss in a matter of seconds with no warning at all.

 

thanks for all the advice.
JB

 

Hello James:

Thanks ever so much for that tip! I was not aware of the catastrophic
failure issue and see now I had best budget for a new rad to be on the
safe side. For $150 and under 30 minutes to swap it out for the new
one I'd be crazy not to do it ASAP.

And yes, I will spend the extra few dollars for a three row Nissen or
comparable rad.

I've owned Volvos since I was 16 and issues like this trouble me.
Let's hope they are not still using plastic tank rads on the newer
cars. Anyone know?


Regards,

Doc