Radiator Leaking - New or Used?

[locovaca]

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]

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]

Yours is "used" too.

 

[shadetree]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.