Radiator re-core

[quattrophenia]

Hi folks,

My car doesn't overheat but the rad is looking tired and I have noticed a very small leak at the top. I will be removing it ASAP and having it re-cored. I'll probably replace it with a standard one as many people say that their cars only seem to run 'cool' after splashing out on expensive more efficient rads, although having said that I may enquire about an extra core.
I'm sure I have read somewhere about replacing rubber support bushes that fit around the bottom and sides of the rad.

If anyone has any advice on removing/replacing/re-coring their rad or know where to get hold of new rubber bushes I'd be grateful for any advice.

[dicktheleg]

HI There

I'm just going through the re-core process at the moment so hopefully I can advise wisely. I removed my rad due to the fins turning to powder and it all getting too hot in traffic jams, although all was fine on a run.

The rad is being re-cored as we speak at a cost of about £100, that's for a 3 core rad which I believe to be adequate providing everything else is ok - ie thermostat, otter switch, coolant and water pump.

I haven't had to buy new lower rad mounting bushes but I have bought new upper ones - these are available from Halfords for 99p each. I'm also changing my otter switch from a 96/91 to a 92/87 so that the fans kick in a bit earlier.

I'm also adding new coolant with the red (OAT) coolant which is costing about £15 for 5 liters of concentrate.

I'll happily pass on to you the name and address of the company doing the re-core once I get the rad back and I am happy with the work.

Best regatds
Rich

[Tyre_Tread]

Just had mine recored at a cost of £150 so a bit more than above but I had several quotes all about the same money.

One of the rubber bobbins sheared as I removed the rad but as stated they are mini exhaust support bobbins and available from Halfrauds for 99p each. The same items are on various TVR specailist sites at around a fiver each!

Looking at the hoses I decided to fit a set of silicone ones. I'm not a fan of gaudy colours so black it is.

When I dropped the water I noticed it was brown yet the fluid in the expansion tank was nice and blue. It turns out that the metal pipe running under the front chassis (a complex steel T piece) is as rusty as hell inside (stainless replacement ordered from ACT - I'm waiting for it!) and the hole in the base of the expansion tank was comletely blocked with aluminium corrosion to the point where I had to put a drill through the pipe to clear it!!!!!

Lower temp otter switch is a good idea. Land Rover part? Got a part number?

[dicktheleg]

Otter is an aftermarket part, It's had to be ordered along with a new serpentine belt, I'll be picking them both up on Friday along with the re-cored rad so I'll let you know the maker and part number then. My supplier had a book packed with otter switches & their pictures so it was just a matter of me sifting through them to choose operating temperature, thread size (M22 x 1.5), contact type ( open or shrouded to take a specific connector) and also whether contacts should be normally open or normally closed.

[TVRmuppet]

Got mine recored for £80. Fortuanatly there is radiator co. in Totnes where I work

[quattrophenia]

Thanks for the advice guys.

Once I have disconected the otter switch leads and removed the rad, do I have to remove the otter switch itself?. It will probably be obvious once I start the job, but I've not done it before.

[dicktheleg]

Yes - remove the otter switch and polish up the sides of it and you should see the operating temperatures stamped on one of the faces - change if necessary for the correct one before refitting the rad.

[dicktheleg]

OK - Got re-cored rad back to day and I am very please with the service, cost and quality of work, so here's details of the people who did the work.

GAT Radiators
Unit 22 North Street Ind Est
Brierley Hill
West Midlands
DY5 3QF

01384 484104 - Mention that Richard the molecatcher recommeded them.

They charged me £97 plus vat (£114) and returned the rad to a local motor factor for me so that I didn't have to go so far to collect it. I delivered it to GAT on Wed 1pm and it was ready for collection from the factor within 24 hours - I think that's great service, incidentally that was for a 3 core rad.

I also changed otter switch for a 92/87 - part number VE709069 made by Cambiare - £9.70 + vat from a local motor factor - Severndale in Kidderminster.

Serp belt was also renewed with a Quinton Hazel one - part number QBR71850 - £10.85 +vat.

Hope this post may help someone