Radiator Leaking - New or Used?

locovaca · 01-28-2009, 03:40 PM

Got home after a quick drive, saw some coolant leaking. It's coming from up by the upper heater hose, out of the seam between the radiator fins and the side posts (not sure of a better word?). At any rate, it'll need to be replaced. Used radiators are about $50, new ones are about $140. Is this something you can get by with used, or is it worth going new? I mean, if mine went bad, I can't imagine the used ones would be much better.

Just curious if anyone had any experiences or thoughts.

poda · 01-28-2009, 06:04 PM

Yeah get a new one,that way you don't have to worry about a used one leaking also, I just replaced mine a week ago it was also leaking at the seams. Don't forget to get new hoses and clamps. Good luck

85_Ranger4x4 · 01-28-2009, 06:26 PM

Yours is "used" too.

shadetree · 01-28-2009, 07:01 PM

You can have that one repaired if you have a local repair shop. They will clean it and replace the cap. I just had my Explorer done, $107 bucks here. Normal cleaning is $67.)shady

fordboi415 · 01-28-2009, 07:44 PM

Well if the new one is 140 and you paid 107 to repair a used one it would seem to be a better investment to just buy the new one not have ot worry bout leakage again, just buy the new one locovaca

shadetree · 01-28-2009, 10:15 PM

I took the radiator in for cleaning. It was discovered that the end cap was cracked. I needed the truck asap. No one stocked a radiator around the corner. I would have to wait a day or longer if I ordered it, or driven in to Houston to pick one up. All this adds to the cost of a new radiator even if I could locate one for $140, plus tax of .0925%. So the cost would have been much more than $140. I have no worries as to the radiator leaking. If it does, I can take it right back to the shop.

shady

85_Ranger4x4 · 01-28-2009, 10:57 PM

That depends a lot on your area. Our local radiator shop is an hour away and he isn't the quickest at getting things done.

For radiators as cheap as a RBV it is easier/cheaper to just stick in a new one when they get one in.

fordboi415 · 01-28-2009, 11:20 PM

If it breaks again your gunna end up spending more money to again fix it, jb weld that bad boy and order a new one, they are cheap so its not that big of deal, most radiator shops can get them pretty fast

locovaca · 01-29-2009, 06:05 AM

Thanks for the info. I checked around and it turns out Rock Auto has them for about $115, so I'll probably head that route.

01-28-2009, 03:40 PM	#1
locovaca Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: DeWitt, IA Year: 1993 Make: Ford Model: Ranger XLT Engine: 3.0 Class: 2WD Stock Posts: 704 Rep Power: 12 iTrader: (1)	Radiator Leaking - New or Used? Got home after a quick drive, saw some coolant leaking. It's coming from up by the upper heater hose, out of the seam between the radiator fins and the side posts (not sure of a better word?). At any rate, it'll need to be replaced. Used radiators are about $50, new ones are about $140. Is this something you can get by with used, or is it worth going new? I mean, if mine went bad, I can't imagine the used ones would be much better. Just curious if anyone had any experiences or thoughts.
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01-28-2009, 06:04 PM	#2
poda New Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: centeral wisconsin Year: 1992 Make: ford Model: ranger Engine: 4.0 Class: 4x4 Used For: street and dirt Posts: 17 Rep Power: 0 iTrader: (0)	Yeah get a new one,that way you don't have to worry about a used one leaking also, I just replaced mine a week ago it was also leaking at the seams. Don't forget to get new hoses and clamps. Good luck
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01-28-2009, 06:26 PM	#3
85_Ranger4x4 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Between Omaha & Des Moines Year: 1985 Make: Ford Model: Ranger Engine: 5.0 Class: 4x4 Used For: A weapon of massive consumption. Posts: 11,186 Rep Power: 51 iTrader: (0)	Yours is "used" too. __________________ 1985 Ford Ranger Custom, 4x4, PA 3" BL, 5.0 HO wannabe, C5 Transmixer, 31 spline T/L 8.8 w/ disc brakes. Build Thread My Ranger is not old; no one would call her old. She has a bluff bow, lovely lines. She's a fine truck: weatherly, stiff and fast... very fast, if she's well handled. No, she's not old; she's in her prime.
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01-28-2009, 07:01 PM	#4
shadetree Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: East Texas Year: 1994 Make: Explorer Sport Engine: 4.0 Class: 2WD Used For: Work Posts: 1,799 Rep Power: 15 iTrader: (0)	You can have that one repaired if you have a local repair shop. They will clean it and replace the cap. I just had my Explorer done, $107 bucks here. Normal cleaning is $67.)shady
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01-28-2009, 07:44 PM	#5
fordboi415 Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: rancho cucamonga california (socal) Year: 2001 Make: ford Model: ranger Engine: 3.0V6 Class: 2wd offroad Used For: haul dirt bikes, and play in the mud Posts: 702 Rep Power: 12 iTrader: (0)	Well if the new one is 140 and you paid 107 to repair a used one it would seem to be a better investment to just buy the new one not have ot worry bout leakage again, just buy the new one locovaca __________________ 2001 Ranger XLT 3.0L 2WD camburg 5.5 f31 deavers 33" maxxis buckshot 1059 pro comp wheels Fox Shox/Premeir Pioneer sound system http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2978855
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01-28-2009, 10:15 PM	#6
shadetree Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: East Texas Year: 1994 Make: Explorer Sport Engine: 4.0 Class: 2WD Used For: Work Posts: 1,799 Rep Power: 15 iTrader: (0)	I took the radiator in for cleaning. It was discovered that the end cap was cracked. I needed the truck asap. No one stocked a radiator around the corner. I would have to wait a day or longer if I ordered it, or driven in to Houston to pick one up. All this adds to the cost of a new radiator even if I could locate one for $140, plus tax of .0925%. So the cost would have been much more than $140. I have no worries as to the radiator leaking. If it does, I can take it right back to the shop.shady
	Tweet

01-28-2009, 10:57 PM	#7
85_Ranger4x4 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Between Omaha & Des Moines Year: 1985 Make: Ford Model: Ranger Engine: 5.0 Class: 4x4 Used For: A weapon of massive consumption. Posts: 11,186 Rep Power: 51 iTrader: (0)	That depends a lot on your area. Our local radiator shop is an hour away and he isn't the quickest at getting things done. For radiators as cheap as a RBV it is easier/cheaper to just stick in a new one when they get one in. __________________ 1985 Ford Ranger Custom, 4x4, PA 3" BL, 5.0 HO wannabe, C5 Transmixer, 31 spline T/L 8.8 w/ disc brakes. Build Thread My Ranger is not old; no one would call her old. She has a bluff bow, lovely lines. She's a fine truck: weatherly, stiff and fast... very fast, if she's well handled. No, she's not old; she's in her prime.
	Tweet

01-28-2009, 11:20 PM	#8
fordboi415 Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: rancho cucamonga california (socal) Year: 2001 Make: ford Model: ranger Engine: 3.0V6 Class: 2wd offroad Used For: haul dirt bikes, and play in the mud Posts: 702 Rep Power: 12 iTrader: (0)	If it breaks again your gunna end up spending more money to again fix it, jb weld that bad boy and order a new one, they are cheap so its not that big of deal, most radiator shops can get them pretty fast __________________ 2001 Ranger XLT 3.0L 2WD camburg 5.5 f31 deavers 33" maxxis buckshot 1059 pro comp wheels Fox Shox/Premeir Pioneer sound system http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2978855
	Tweet

01-29-2009, 06:05 AM	#9
locovaca Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: DeWitt, IA Year: 1993 Make: Ford Model: Ranger XLT Engine: 3.0 Class: 2WD Stock Posts: 704 Rep Power: 12 iTrader: (1)	Thanks for the info. I checked around and it turns out Rock Auto has them for about $115, so I'll probably head that route.
	Tweet

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