Hi All,

The group buy from GMG for the CSF radiators is great timing for me. I want to post a few photos of what I found last weekend when I removed the front bumper to replace a horn. The left radiator isn't that bad with a little bit of crusting at the top, but dry for the most part. The right was a bit worse with active wetness. I didn't see any leakage around the center radiator, but I am wondering if you think I should replace all three. The local dealership said not to replace it if it isn't leaking. I want to get in on the group buy but I have to make a decision on spending the extra $500 for the center.

Let me know what you think. My car is an '04 X50 Cab that we just bought a couple months ago. The radiators were missed on the PPI along with a wonky throttle body. More on that later...

Thanks,

Franny

 

at this point, I'd say replace all 3 with the CSF rads and never look back.
Cheers,

 

I would replace all three and consider it done.

 

I would replace all three. I'm doing all of mine since they are 11 years old.

 

Thanks guys,

That's a pretty strong consensus!

Franny

 

Agreed.

 

Thanks Guys,

I ordered a complete set this morning. Probably a couple weeks lead time.

What else will I need assuming the hoses are good (they seem fine... no leaks)? Three gallons of coolant... Anything else?

Any weird tricks getting them out and back in? Will the AC heat exchangers move out of the way easily enough?

Thanks again,

Franny

 

Goodstuff!
If the hoses are original I'd be replacing those as well, the hoses are actually very cheap comparatively.
Really no tricks to the job, just be careful with the A/C condensers and have at 'er!
Cheers,
Rob

 

It helped a lot when bleeding to jack the rear of vehicle to allow coolant to fill the system.

 

also a good idea to keep the revs up 2.5-3k while adding/refilling the missing coolant as it helps pressurize the system faster.

 

Is the service manual the best place for the whole procedure?

Thanks,

Franny

 

Odd man out here and a contrarian by nature.

Service manual will help you out, but actually it's pretty straight forward and fairly simple. I do this stuff for a living, BTW and hate working on my own cars, hate it worse for others to work on them.

A couple of years ago I was talking to my friend, a senior tech at Porsche about radiator tank seepage. He mentioned well over $1K and less than $2K if I brought it by the shop, then turned and whispered, "Alumaseal".

$6.50 later, 100% seal, no coolant loss in 2 years, 105 degrees last summer, no fear of summer long distance travel, 167 mph pull, all good :-)

 

i replaced my leaking pass side rad with one from a pcar graveyard. 150 bucks and a cpl hours work in the driveway. two years ago. why buy all three!?

 

Agreed it would b

 

Got sent early duh but yes it would be cheaper to repair or replace one etc but the new ones should out last the car. I personally tend to over do it which usually only helps future owners not my checkbook lol.