Greetings everyone. I'm volunteered (again and most likely indefinately) to repair the inlaw's 1996 Volvo 850. The car has an estimated 400k and has gone through 2 radiators in it's life. Not too shabby.

I'm looking to replace the current radiator with a respectable unit, but am unsure what to purchase. I've been told not to spend $400 for the OE radiator by my inlaw, but he still wants a good radiator. I've done some searching and found an aftermarket radiator made by ready rad. Does anybody know if these are decent radiators. It looks to me like the radiator has stainless steel tank construction as opposed to the plastic composite and would seem like a good buy. I can't seem to find a whole lot on them. He seems to think the behr units are a good buy, but I haven't seen one that doesn't have the cooler lines. From what I've been told (and I need to verify for myself) this 850 does not have trans or oil cooler lines. Below is an image of the aftermarket ready rad radiator. Is it worthy to put in the volvo or is it junk? The image does have a disclaimer so this may not be the actual unit which just further inflates the question mark in my head.

(IMG:http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/images/product_images/images/aftermarket/ready-rad.jpg)

if possible, get a canadian unit. theirs were larger, meaning fluid capacity, packaged in the same space for US models. the dislcaimer reads that it might not be specific to applications under the picture. means that they have different configurations for different volvo models. why doesn't he want the stock radiator, the two of the others went to 400K. any aftermarket radiators will cost more, unless they are of a cheaper material. most companies that i know of are of the aftermarket racing types. light weight aluminum which will cost you about double what the stock radiator will cost. are you sure that this 850 has no cooler lines? double check yourself, just to be sure. check out fcpgroton.com for prices on radiators. good luck and keep us posted.

If it has a 5 speed manual trans then it wont have the cooler lines.

it wouldn't be a turbo if it was manual, also.

I think this is like an aftermarket performance one, isnt it?

But like Greek, i'd go back to the original radiator actually. Straight-fit with no issues.
:)

I got the cheapest one at advanced auto for 175ish, works fine. I got it about 40,000 miles ago. The only problem I ran into was where it mounts on the sides. the rubber was too soft so I stuck a washer in between the rubber and the mount no problems since then.

I took another look to verify the car has no coolers. I also 100% identified the leak. There is a nice crack about 4 inches below the upper hose, what crap. The radiator pictured is an aftermarket item. They advertise it as "direct fit". The way I see it I have 3 choices. They are Nissen, Behr, and this ready rad. From appearance, the ready rad doesn't have a plastic tank and that's what failed on the last one. My instinct is to go with the aftermarket radiator since it's in the same price ballpark as all of the above mentioned. I'd rather buy the $400 volvo unit, but the parents don't want to spend $400 on a radiator. They'd rather stress me out over buying better cheaper stuff if that's at all possible. I'm having difficulty finding one that doesn't have at least one set of cooler fittings on it. The ready rad one looks to have a set of cooler lines a well. Is that a problem if it comes with the cooler line and I don't use them?

If your car has no oil coolers, then go ahead and put it on. If the radiator comes with cooler holes, just plug them.

The problem arise if your car DOES come with cooler-lines and your aftermarket radiator doesnt have the cooler holes.

:)

Cheers.

good point from the bear.

I just placed my order for a behr radiator for $185. It said Canadian so I got lucky. I also ordered a 195F thermostat and new upper/lower hoses.

cool, keep us posted as to your progress.

i just read a post from a member down under about the clips on the radiators, please read his post before you do any work.. i also didn't realize that the clips were meant to go one way.

Thanks for putting the tip here, Greek!
:)

Try the Nissan 300ZX radiator as Im told they fit perfect

Erg. THe price here is like almost close to three times of the Volvo.
I hope they're cheaper there.

Where did you buy your radiator? My '94 850 Turbo recently developed a leak in the radiator in the plastic tank on the passenger side. Doesn't look repairable so time for a new one. The best price I found for the correct radiator is at eEuroparts for $200 for a Behr and $215 for a Nissen; if there is a cheaper place to buy a quality part I'd love to hear about it. The Behr is brass and plastic and the Nissen is aluminum and plastic. Anyone know whether aluminum or brass is the better way to go?

Somewhat along the same line, since I'm going to be draining the cooling system am I better off paying the rather obscene cost of "Genuine Volvo" coolant or should I just run a good quality aftermarket coolant? Is it really true that if you use the Volvo coolant that you never have to do coolant changes, but with other coolants changing at regular intervals is necessary?

Thanks in advance for any advice, you guys are a great resource! javascript:emoticon(':57:')

This site has one for around $160

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/raframecatalog.php

Tom,

You CAN just have the black plastic part replaced, without replacing the whole radiator. The part is sold separately. A buddy just had his changed 2 weeks ago. No problems whatsoever. And while you're there, have the shop 'service-clean' the inner parts of the radiator as well. The job may take close to a full-days' work, but its worth it.

A new Volvo radiator here would cost around RM1,600
A nissens = RM900
A black plastic end, complete with servicing labour = RM450

:)



I have been using Volvo coolants before, and i always found a few things to work on that required a drain of the Volvo Coolants. So, i changed to Redline's Water-wetter.

HEHE.

Somewhat along the same line, since I'm going to be draining the cooling system am I better off paying the rather obscene cost of "Genuine Volvo" coolant or should I just run a good quality aftermarket coolant? Is it really true that if you use the Volvo coolant that you never have to do coolant changes, but with other coolants changing at regular intervals is necessary?


I go with the old adage that if original makers bits are superior why do most of them last just as long as after market stuff.
I know a fella who work,s for JCB and he told me they buy cheap oil filters and stick a JCB label on them,and charge 7x more........ Volvo don't have there own oil refinery or coolant plant..... but..... there will always be something chewing away at your brain telling you that you have'nt put the best on/in your car and its gonna wreck it :crying:

I hate to admit that it never occurred to me to look into having the radiator repaired. Doh! I'll check with some of the local shops tomorrow. Either way I'd need to do the R&R part of the job, so if the radiator can be fixed for less than the price of new that works for me. Thanks for the idea!