Radiators: Metal Vs Plastic

Krem · 11-20-2009, 10:36 PM

So after flushing my coolant a couple of weeks ago, it seems like my coolant gets hotter faster and the engine and coolant stay hotter longer when the car's been sitting, resting.. After enough driving, I guess I pushed whatever amount of radiator sealing gunk crap, that was keeping my coolant from leaking, out and now I finally see my coolant leaks, coming from the radiator.

Sooo... I need a new radiator... not sure what to buy, but I don't have a wealthy budget either.. I've found majority of the radiators out there are plastic, which I'm sure helps w/ weight.. but the car already weighs sooo much, what's a couple of extra pounds if the metal radiator will cool the fluid better... Soo... I'm left with two questions I just can't answer on my own...

1) What's difference between Plastic and Metal tanks? Which is better for desert driving?

2) Any specific brand or radiator model I should look at above all else? Cause otherwise I'll prob end up w/ a cheap generic metal radiator.

Edit:
Or maybe an alumninum one would be best?

11-20-2009, 10:36 PM	#1
Krem 3" Exhaust Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 167	Radiators: Metal Vs Plastic So after flushing my coolant a couple of weeks ago, it seems like my coolant gets hotter faster and the engine and coolant stay hotter longer when the car's been sitting, resting.. After enough driving, I guess I pushed whatever amount of radiator sealing gunk crap, that was keeping my coolant from leaking, out and now I finally see my coolant leaks, coming from the radiator. Sooo... I need a new radiator... not sure what to buy, but I don't have a wealthy budget either.. I've found majority of the radiators out there are plastic, which I'm sure helps w/ weight.. but the car already weighs sooo much, what's a couple of extra pounds if the metal radiator will cool the fluid better... Soo... I'm left with two questions I just can't answer on my own... 1) What's difference between Plastic and Metal tanks? Which is better for desert driving? 2) Any specific brand or radiator model I should look at above all else? Cause otherwise I'll prob end up w/ a cheap generic metal radiator. Edit: Or maybe an alumninum one would be best? Last edited by Krem; 11-21-2009 at 12:10 AM.

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