Radiators... and birds

[ar0u2211]

It seems I have a leak...
After taking out a flying bird thing (god knows why it didnt employ its flapping ability at the time) I have noticed that there is quite a substancial leak from my radiator. A well informed friend seems to think this is from where the bird took my number plate clean off and straight into the rad.
The mechanic is looking at the options of trying to fix the leak; would re-coring sort out this sort of damage?
Or getting a new radiator for which I am being quoted 400 quid plus fitting; I know this is the price of the new aloy rads but I dont feel ad liberty to go nuts on a specialist rad when it never had overheating issues in the past.
I don't really want to be outlaying mega buck for fixing the problem so would prefer to go along the recoring path if this is an option, but if not is there anywhere I can get a standard rad for less than 400 quid?
Many please thankyou,
Dom

[piston-broke]

I have read on here from a few people that have had their rads re-cored without any problems.

You can apparently get a range rover rad that fits too, I'm sure that'd be considerably cheaper than a new super alloy rad.

[ar0u2211]

thank for the advice mate. My mechanic seems to think that its a certain type of radiator which is basically not one with a cheap option.
Its out of a 98 'R' car, I don't know if the year of manufacture makes a difference?!?!?!

[ray_von]

I'll sell you a recently recored later style rad, with the alloy core and plastic end tanks for £350.
Seriously mate, get it recored should be around £160

[ar0u2211]

sorry if I'm being an arse, but does the level of damage caused create any issues with getting it recored?

[ray_von]

No the core is the bit that is replaced, unless the bird was a particularly vindictive sort i.e magpie and had damaged the end tanks then it will be a reasonably cheap fix for you.

[ar0u2211]

wonderful! Thats feels much nicer on the wallet
Thanks ray

[SwanJack]

My re-core came in at £120.

[That Daddy]

Re-core it

[ar0u2211]

That seems to be the sensible option then.
I am in Essex in the south east... Any suggestions?

[Chimjunkie]

Had my radiator re-cored and the rad was totally trashed! Almost a V shape due to front end collision