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Bad radiator - Bad!!

Old May 11, 2007 | 04:50 AM
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Default Bad radiator - Bad!!

Ok, so my 01 SSEi has decided to do something bad. The radiator is leaking from a small crack at a fan mounting point. I know that is what plastic tanks do, but is there a particular replacement that I should put in? I don't want another radiator job in 80,000 miles - if I can help it.

Thanks guys

Doug
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Old May 11, 2007 | 06:46 AM
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Doug...it'* quite uncommon. I don't recall ever hearing an 00 lose a radiator without an accident. TMK you shouldn't need to be concerned about 80K from now unless the fan is somehow putting extra stress on the mounting point.
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Old May 11, 2007 | 10:15 AM
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I don't recall anyone having problems with the radiator either. Before, or durning replacement - look things over to see if anything stands out as a cause.
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Old May 13, 2007 | 04:07 AM
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Thaks guys - I'll check it out. My old 89 went thru some rads with this same prob and I know a couple other cars in the family had the same prob. I just assumed it was common.
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Old May 13, 2007 | 09:47 AM
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I can't recall 5 bad radiators on any year or model here in the last 5 years. Can you get a pic of the crack?
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Old May 15, 2007 | 03:31 AM
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Sorry, I don't have a camera to use. It'* just a faint hairline crack coming from the mounting for the cooling fan. It wouldn't even show in a pic, I believe. I only noticed the smell, then it took forever to see it - very hard to get at.
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Old May 15, 2007 | 10:50 AM
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Using this as a guide, can you point out where the crack is? Was it serious enough to loose coolant onto the ground?
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Old May 17, 2007 | 04:32 AM
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I'm sorry, I am computer handicapped. I can tell you it is the top mounting for the cooling fan on the right side (viewing the dia.) under the upper tranny line. Literally cracked in the plastic leading away from the raised "frame" of the mounting spot and bolt. Not enough of a leak yet to hit the ground, but on other cars in my family and my previous Bonnies, it did hit the ground - running away from the car.
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Old May 17, 2007 | 05:55 AM
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I noticed RockAuto lists the radiator available with or without a low coolant indicator; I wonder which one would be required.
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Old May 17, 2007 | 10:26 AM
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Thanks, fdh01bonneville. Your description is fine. So far we haven't had radiator issues, but in case yours is the start, it'* helpful to be able to tell people where to look to start.

Mac - I'm sure his SSEi will need the one with the level sensor.
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