Radiator replacement time!
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
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Radiator replacement time!
Vehicle is a 1995 E150 5.8L w/E40D Conversion Van. I've noticed the overflow bottle has been going dry lately. Finally found the radiator is starting to drip on passengers side and leaves a 6 inch puddle after driving it. With the conversion pakage, on this van, it has a transmission cooler in upper right in front of the condensor and radiator. Does it need a special radiator (Say like a manual trans radiator) or does it make no difference with transmission coolant lines that go to a separate cooler. What is a good price for a radiator for this vehicle? Thanks.
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2004
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I've heard various opinions on reparing (acid rinse, welding leak, etc.) vs replacing, and am not sure which is the way to go. I looked into both when mine went on my E150 several years ago, and the cost to have it removed, acid cleaned, and reinstalled was more than half the cost of having a decent quality new radiator installed. And with a repair job, there is no guarantee it will hold up as long as a new one. If it fails, you will pay labor again.
Now if you can do the labor yourself, it may be worthwhile to give it a go on the repair attemp (all you are out is your time and $60 or so). But if you are paying to do the whole job, I would probably side with replacing it since it is such a critical part to good engine performance and durability, and any decent shop will warranty their work in addition to the warranty that comes with the radiator. In my case, I had some 140,000 miles or so, so I felt that I had gotten my money's worth out of the original radiator.
JE
Now if you can do the labor yourself, it may be worthwhile to give it a go on the repair attemp (all you are out is your time and $60 or so). But if you are paying to do the whole job, I would probably side with replacing it since it is such a critical part to good engine performance and durability, and any decent shop will warranty their work in addition to the warranty that comes with the radiator. In my case, I had some 140,000 miles or so, so I felt that I had gotten my money's worth out of the original radiator.
JE
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
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Radiator.....
I came across an EBAY unit for $140 shipped but I'm leary. If I have the factory transmission cooler is the replacement radiator of a different design because the cooling lines aren't going to the radiator? Or does it matter? Thanks!
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 543
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From: South East Texas
On my 92 conversion, the trans cooler and radiator lines are in series, in one, out the other. I would be careful buying online, you might end up with a referb instead of new. Amazing what a little paint can do. Pulling that radiator isn't as hard as it looks. I had mine out in less then an hour. The shop reamed out and flushed the rad and fixed a small leak on the top tank and painted it for $65
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