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buildyourown
Samba Member
Joined: March 01, 2009
Posts: 1668
Location: Seattle
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 Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2014 2:35 pm Post subject: Replacing a radiator as preventative maintenance |
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My cooling system works fine. I've got a Bostig so I don't think it's overly stressed. It certainly runs cooler than the WBX.
I've got a brand new radiator sitting in the box along with silicone hoses and new air dams. My plan was to swap this with the engine conversion but I got anxious and never got around to it.
Should I put in the new radiator or stick with what's working? The coolant is out and being flushed for a new water pump right now. I've got a new grill and some paint work to do so I'll have that apart also.
My concern is replacing a functioning part with an unknown. I have in the past, had very early failures from new parts. Including the water pump. |
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Syncro Jael
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Joined: December 19, 2013
Posts: 2204
Location: Utah
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| Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2014 2:43 pm Post subject: |
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I felt the same way. I kept reading all the issues with corrosion in radiators. So when I opened the system up to replace the expansion tank with RMW aluminum one I decided to swap the radiator and cooling fan. I had the new radiator for a few months in a box.
I was not experiencing any overheating problems but in 100° temps my air conditioner would kick off when the high speed fan would come on. So I guessed I must have some partial blockage in the radiator.
I was wrong 
The new radiator did not seem to make much of an effect on the cooling system. So my used one is in the box.
The new fan is quieter! 
But while yours is apart, I would do it.
This was my experience. 
_________________
1987 Syncro Westfalia Hightop - NAHT
Subaru EJ25 Forged Frankenmotor, Triple Knob.
Jael = (Mountain Goat)
Last edited by Syncro Jael on Fri Dec 12, 2014 2:44 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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eeebee
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Joined: July 17, 2009
Posts: 431
Location: Tujunga
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| Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2014 2:43 pm Post subject: |
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Your original instinct to replace the radiator is a good one.
_________________
Eric
1987 Vanagon Wolfsburg Special Edition
GoWesty 2.3
Democracy is the recurrent suspicion that more than half of the people are right more than half of the time. |
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stevegibb
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Joined: December 18, 2006
Posts: 107
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| Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2014 2:45 pm Post subject: |
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I would go ahead. Mine was working fine but when it was replaced, my mechanic said the old one was very heavy from internal rust.
Running great and cooler now too.
I think you will make it easier on your Bostig with this upgrade.
FWIW,
Steve
"Manggo" 83.5 Westy |
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Terry Kay
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Joined: June 22, 2003
Posts: 13331
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| Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2014 2:47 pm Post subject: |
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Usually here in the real world most gear heads would have immediatly installed that New radiator along with the new engine.
That's how it should be anyway.
All except here in Vanagonland.
Have an engine rebuilt?
No new cooling components.
Swap for an upgraded engine?
Nope--no new anything.
I don't get it, don't understand it, never have been able to comprehend this train of thought.
You've got the water outa the system?
Change the radiator--unless of course you know it's history, and know without question that it's brand new inside.
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syncrodoka
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Joined: December 27, 2005
Posts: 12008
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
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| Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2014 2:58 pm Post subject: |
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I have pulled apart several radiators to inspect them. ALL of them had black sludge in them and was restricting the flow of coolant.
Replace it and don't worry about it for another 20 years. |
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Robw_z
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Joined: April 28, 2007
Posts: 983
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| Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2014 3:03 pm Post subject: |
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I replaced mine when I did my 2.1's head gaskets. I heard somebody refer to it as "buying cheap engine insurance" and that's how I looked at it.
-Rob |
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dobryan
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Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 16508
Location: Brookeville, MD
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levi
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Joined: February 11, 2005
Posts: 5522
Location: Las Vegas
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| Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2014 3:28 pm Post subject: |
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| syncrodoka wrote: |
I have pulled apart several radiators to inspect them. ALL of them had black sludge in them and was restricting the flow of coolant.
Replace it and don't worry about it for another 20 years. |
There it is right there.
Your van very possibly has the original rad in it, and that means 25-30 years of constricting the arteries in that rad, 25 years of folks adding tap water (ugh).
Sure it's been getting around just fine right now, but you have all the coolant dropped, geesh the invitation is in your hands, new rad in the box at your feet just begging for attention!
IF... you have air conditioning it's a tiny bit extra work, but still....
btw, I've found that it's easiest to drop the rad a few inches before disconnecting those 2 hoses, easier access to the clamps that way.
You don't even need a 2nd pair of hands for the rad swap, use a couple wires from the 2 bottom holes of the rad, up through the grill and tied off around the bumper or something.
This method also helps to hold the rad up in place while you're reattaching the brackets
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One of these days I'm gonna settle down,
but till I do I won't be hangin round.
Going down that long lonesome highway,
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61Scout
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Joined: November 06, 2011
Posts: 1297
Location: Shoreline/Yakima WA
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| Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2014 4:52 pm Post subject: |
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Well, sometimes TK is right, and this is one of those cases as he and others have voiced.
Another vote for replacing it now. In fact, I'd go ahead and suggest you replace your heater cores and every bit of plumbing too. Give yourself some peace of mind so you can smile and drive and not worry about the ticking time bomb of a coolant leak spewing from 25 year old cores or your engine overheating. VanCafe has the rear heater cores on sale right now, btw.
-Kevin
_________________
1986 Westfalia Weekender Wolfsburg, RJE 2.3
1985 Tin Top, Subie 2.2 + 5MT
Floppy Mirrors no more: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=653018&highlight=
Remove the front spindle nut with ease: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=679567&highlight=
Remove the rear wheel bearing housing without messing with the big 46mm nut: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=679507&highlight=
-Nec Spe, Nec Metu
Last edited by 61Scout on Fri Dec 12, 2014 7:21 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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buildyourown
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Joined: March 01, 2009
Posts: 1668
Location: Seattle
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| Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2014 5:43 pm Post subject: |
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| 61Scout wrote: |
Well, sometimes TK is right, and this is one of those cases as he and others have voiced.
Another vote for replacing it now. In fact, I'd go ahead and suggest you replace your heater cores and every bit of plumbing too. Give yourself some piece of mind so you can smile and drive and not worry about the ticking time bomb of a coolant leak spewing from 25 year old cores or your engine overheating. VanCafe has the rear heater cores on sale right now, btw.
-Kevin |
Tempting. That is one of the other places I've been burned in my automotive history. Tore the dash apart on my truck to replace the heater core only to have it leak within a year. |
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Terry Kay
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Joined: June 22, 2003
Posts: 13331
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| Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2014 7:06 pm Post subject: |
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Well, this is one of them deals if a guy shops price rather than OE parts it can / will come back to bite you.
But on the other hand I've had brand new custom built radiators leak at the tight welded seams.
Does that mean if I installed a new engine in a 57 Pontiac that I'd leave the 60 year plus radiator & heater core in the car because one radiator leaked new out of the box?
Absolutely not.
Foolish heater core analogy.
Stuff happens.
I also share the thought;
Don't stop at the radiator, do it all.
Why short cut the new engine with antique cooling system components? ?
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alnvilma
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Joined: March 07, 2002
Posts: 395
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| Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2014 8:56 pm Post subject: |
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buildyourown,
When I did my Bostig, I replaced my radiator and hoses just because.
Like someone else said; it was noticeably heavy! The new one certainly is efficient. Easy now that you're drained too. |
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ThankYouJerry
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Joined: September 01, 2012
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Location: Shakedown Street
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| Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2014 9:11 pm Post subject: |
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Considering what you said, I do it without a second thought. Cheap insurance!
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Wildthings
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Posts: 50352
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| Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2014 9:14 pm Post subject: |
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In the good old days of quality American iron, you would probably need the radiator boiled out after about 3 years or 30,000 miles, after that if you got another year or two out of the radiator before you needed to have it recored you felt good about it. Today people want to know if they should replace a 30 year old radiator or not.  |
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Terry Kay
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Joined: June 22, 2003
Posts: 13331
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| Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2014 9:53 pm Post subject: |
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Why is that?
Especially on a horizontal cored radiator where all of the garbage usually settles in the bottom rows of the core.
There is plenty of info here, and probably in other forums regarding this very subject to miss this sort of info on old original radiator's and overheating questions.
What I have a hard time understanding is why a guy wouldn't get a new radiator in the Van prior to even turning the key on a new engine.
Boggles my mind.
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physast
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Joined: December 30, 2005
Posts: 675
Location: DC
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| Posted: Sat Dec 13, 2014 6:28 am Post subject: |
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I just did my radiator. I had the same hesitations as you are having. I decided to just do it. I had never done one before.
- You already have it! (OE I hope)
- a lot of the job is done (coolant already out grills off)
- it's not a hard job to complete (easier with two people, but doable with one and a jack)
- piece of mind (don't need to worry about the cooling system for some time)
- lower engine temps likely as a result
- bragging rights (new Bostig with new cooling system!)
If you are looking for some help use the search and you will find everything you need.
I am 100% satisfied with my install.
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1967 L633 VW beetle (currently being restored...slowly)
1991 Orly Blue Vanaru 2.5L |
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djkeev
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Joined: September 30, 2007
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Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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physast
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Joined: December 30, 2005
Posts: 675
Location: DC
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| Posted: Sat Dec 13, 2014 8:10 am Post subject: |
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| djkeev wrote: |
Another perspective.....
I've got the original tires on my 86 van, they're in great shape!
The wheels need painting so I am dismounting them to paint the wheels properly.
I've got a new set of tires but I hate to use them if I don't have to.
Should I put on new tires or remount and run the originals, they still have a lot of tread on them?  |
I can see your point with the tires... sort of. As long as the tread and rubber look good and you see no cracking.
However with the radiator it's hard to see what is going on inside. But I totally understand leaving what works alone. He does have the parts and when he starts to see a problem he could just do it then.
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1967 L633 VW beetle (currently being restored...slowly)
1991 Orly Blue Vanaru 2.5L |
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Ahwahnee
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Location: Mt Lemmon, AZ
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| Posted: Sat Dec 13, 2014 8:43 am Post subject: |
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| physast wrote: |
| djkeev wrote: |
Another perspective.....
I've got the original tires on my 86 van, they're in great shape!... |
I can see your point with the tires... sort of. As long as the tread and rubber look good and you see no cracking... |
I assumed he was being facetious to make a point -- no one in their right mind would drive anywhere on 30 year-old tires.
I'll agree that the OP is at the point where a new radiator makes sense -- though I have run original (non-VW) radiators 50+ years w/o a problem. But these were possibly better maintained than some we get in a used van. |
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