Should I Buy a Used Radiator
12-09-12, 04:41 PM
#1
Should I Buy a Used Radiator
I recently discovered that the radiator on my 1993 RX-7 has a small coolant leak.
It's very minor and I'm still driving the car on a daily basis but keeping a close eye on the floor each time I park the car.
My question is: Is it recommended to buy a used radiator?
Or be safe and peace of mind to buy a new one by spending a few extra dollars?
It's very minor and I'm still driving the car on a daily basis but keeping a close eye on the floor each time I park the car.
My question is: Is it recommended to buy a used radiator?
Or be safe and peace of mind to buy a new one by spending a few extra dollars?
12-09-12, 05:08 PM
#3
Had a radiator leak on my '84 Corvette last summer and I've tried radiator "leak-stop" product at my local auto parts store. I never thought it would work. Used 3 bottles ($3 each) and it worked perfect.
I think you should try this easy fix instead of running with a leak. I would be so scared running a FD with a rad leak...
I think you should try this easy fix instead of running with a leak. I would be so scared running a FD with a rad leak...
12-09-12, 05:32 PM
#5
Had a radiator leak on my '84 Corvette last summer and I've tried radiator "leak-stop" product at my local auto parts store. I never thought it would work. Used 3 bottles ($3 each) and it worked perfect.
I think you should try this easy fix instead of running with a leak. I would be so scared running a FD with a rad leak...
I think you should try this easy fix instead of running with a leak. I would be so scared running a FD with a rad leak...
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12-09-12, 06:13 PM
#8
Ya stop leak is a horrible idea. If you think about it, it is a liquid that follows around and fills in "cracks" where ever it is. I bought a 200sx that had problems with to much coolant pressure and overheating. I took the head off the motor and some of the coolant passages on the head gasket were clogged because of that stuff. I wouldnt ever use that.
12-09-12, 11:52 PM
#10
Original Gangster/Rotary!
iTrader: (213)
Some shitty advice in this thread.
Do NOT use stop leak.
Do NOT buy a 20 year old used radiator.
Buy a Fluidyne, which will fit a stock car. New or lightly used. Do not buy a used Koyo.
Done.
Do NOT use stop leak.
Do NOT buy a 20 year old used radiator.
Buy a Fluidyne, which will fit a stock car. New or lightly used. Do not buy a used Koyo.
Done.
12-10-12, 08:13 AM
#13
I'd just bite the bullet and Get a GOOD radiator .
Not a cheap knockoff . I tried that on my FD and the knockoff was all wrong . it looked similar , but important things were wrong like Mounting locations the holes werent even drilled and if you did drill you'd drill into the radiator .. so I returned it and just went with a koyo . and have beem good since then
12-10-12, 11:02 AM
#16
Used radiators alot of times may have cracks that are unseen untilthe deed is done and you have the radiator on the car , fins can be bent which reduce the effectiveness . if the radiator is a stock radiator ( plastic ) then already its days are numbered as those plastics tend to go bad . tomany variables for something so vital to a rotary to risk using an old used radiator .
12-10-12, 11:07 AM
#17
Wastegate John
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I paid extra money for a fluidyne because it was supposed to drop right in, well it did not. I hand to bend the rad outlet tube for it to clear my stock fans. I was pissed because I paid the extra money specifically for the reason it was to supposed to fit right in.
OP, used is fine, just make sure it is being purchased from a reputable seller and check for leaks before install. It is not rocket science.
12-10-12, 11:17 AM
#18
I have a koyo and have had it since 2003. It was used with a stock ic and cool charge III. The koyo doesn't fit the stock intake and ic ducting very well as it pushes every thing up a little. Its now a v-mount and still cools just fine.
12-10-12, 11:26 AM
#19
Used radiators alot of times may have cracks that are unseen untilthe deed is done and you have the radiator on the car , fins can be bent which reduce the effectiveness . if the radiator is a stock radiator ( plastic ) then already its days are numbered as those plastics tend to go bad . tomany variables for something so vital to a rotary to risk using an old used radiator .
It is stated that a slightly used Fluidyne is ok, and that a slightly used Koyo is not.
12-10-12, 11:38 AM
#20
Just like any other component of the car, it's not the component but the seller. There are several sellers on this forum that I would purchase a used radiator from... However, there are many more I wouldn't. 
If you don't have a seller you can trust, then buy a new one.
If you don't have a seller you can trust, then buy a new one.
12-10-12, 12:10 PM
#21
Original Gangster/Rotary!
iTrader: (213)
Sorry, should have been more specific. Sometimes posting from the phone leads to truncated replies 
. Apologies to all the Koyo fans out there..... it's a great radiator, but for the OP (who I believe has a fairly stock engine bay if memory serves) the thinner Fluidyne will be an easier install and more than serve his cooling needs.
New vs used, really comes down to budget. There are many parts that I would never buy used, this includes old original plastic stock radiators. I've seen used aluminum rads that looked like new and functioned perfectly, and I've seen some that looked like they barely survived WWII.
Some good points about buying from reputable sellers who represent their items honestly as well as pack them so they don't arrive mangled
P.S. John, I googled 'supposibly' and came up empty.....
. Apologies to all the Koyo fans out there..... it's a great radiator, but for the OP (who I believe has a fairly stock engine bay if memory serves) the thinner Fluidyne will be an easier install and more than serve his cooling needs.New vs used, really comes down to budget. There are many parts that I would never buy used, this includes old original plastic stock radiators. I've seen used aluminum rads that looked like new and functioned perfectly, and I've seen some that looked like they barely survived WWII.
Some good points about buying from reputable sellers who represent their items honestly as well as pack them so they don't arrive mangled
P.S. John, I googled 'supposibly' and came up empty.....
Last edited by GoodfellaFD3S; 12-10-12 at 12:21 PM.
12-10-12, 12:11 PM
#22
... and a seller you can trust to package it properly.
Parts like radiators do not fare well if not packed properly.
With something as important and susceptible to damage as a radiator. personally I would just buy a new one.
Been burned too many times trying to 'save money', and actually ended up spending more.
Parts like radiators do not fare well if not packed properly.
With something as important and susceptible to damage as a radiator. personally I would just buy a new one.
Been burned too many times trying to 'save money', and actually ended up spending more.
12-10-12, 12:46 PM
#23
Had a radiator leak on my '84 Corvette last summer and I've tried radiator "leak-stop" product at my local auto parts store. I never thought it would work. Used 3 bottles ($3 each) and it worked perfect.
I think you should try this easy fix instead of running with a leak. I would be so scared running a FD with a rad leak...
I think you should try this easy fix instead of running with a leak. I would be so scared running a FD with a rad leak...
Supposibly koyos do not fit well with the SMIC's even aftermarket ones.
I paid extra money for a fluidyne because it was supposed to drop right in, well it did not. I hand to bend the rad outlet tube for it to clear my stock fans. I was pissed because I paid the extra money specifically for the reason it was to supposed to fit right in.
OP, used is fine, just make sure it is being purchased from a reputable seller and check for leaks before install. It is not rocket science.
I paid extra money for a fluidyne because it was supposed to drop right in, well it did not. I hand to bend the rad outlet tube for it to clear my stock fans. I was pissed because I paid the extra money specifically for the reason it was to supposed to fit right in.
OP, used is fine, just make sure it is being purchased from a reputable seller and check for leaks before install. It is not rocket science.
12-10-12, 01:58 PM
#24
Thank You and I greatly appreciate ALL the valuable input.
I have 2 1993 RX-7s and I actually have a Koyo Aluminum radiator in my Montego Blue RX-7 which I purchased brand new in 2008 for $400.00.
To this day, I have not had any issues with the Koyo Aluminum Radiator at all.
I'm going to go ahead and purchase a brand new Koyo Radiator.
I have 2 1993 RX-7s and I actually have a Koyo Aluminum radiator in my Montego Blue RX-7 which I purchased brand new in 2008 for $400.00.
To this day, I have not had any issues with the Koyo Aluminum Radiator at all.
I'm going to go ahead and purchase a brand new Koyo Radiator.
I'll go with the phone excuse as well
. Since you edited that part in later.
