 | Home > Technical > 300Tdi radiator..... time to replace? |
 
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| donmacn Member Since: 06 Nov 2017 Location: Nth Scotland Posts: 1841  
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Hi folks,
So while fitting new driving lights today, I had a chance to get up close and personal with the radiator. After years of barely looking at the temperature guage, I did have a long run in the autumn where the needle snuck up a little more than normal. It's not been an issue since - but it has got colder. Any thoughts on this? Obviously it's seen better days, but how bad in comparison to others? Urgent replacement?  Click image to enlarge For a pretty big section, all the cooling fins between the core channels are completely gone. cheers Donald Donald 1994 Defender 300Tdi 110 SW - owned since 2002 - 230k miles and going strong (The 'rolling restoration' or tinkering thread: http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic58538.html ) 2000 Range Rover P38 4.0L V8 in the past.. RR classic - fitted with 200Tdi 1984 RR classic - V8 with ZF auto box 1993 Discovery 300Tdi not to mention the minis and the Type 2 VW camper... |
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29th Dec 2017 6:39pm |
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| shropshiredefender Member Since: 05 Jun 2017 Location: Shropshire Posts: 834  
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Just checked out your build thread and given the care and attention you've lavished on your 300tdi, and the mileage, it's time for a new rad. Small outlay compared to a warped head etc. etc.
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29th Dec 2017 6:46pm |
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| donmacn Member Since: 06 Nov 2017 Location: Nth Scotland Posts: 1841
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Yeah, I think so. I was just quite surprised to see it in that state - as I say no issues so far (touch wood). I just wondered how it stacked up against others experiences? LouSparts - thanks - pretty sure that's not the original. I'd have to go into that scary box of receipts... but I reckon it's been changed at some point. 24years, and 218k miles would suggest that anyway. Donald 1994 Defender 300Tdi 110 SW - owned since 2002 - 230k miles and going strong (The 'rolling restoration' or tinkering thread: http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic58538.html ) 2000 Range Rover P38 4.0L V8 in the past.. RR classic - fitted with 200Tdi 1984 RR classic - V8 with ZF auto box 1993 Discovery 300Tdi not to mention the minis and the Type 2 VW camper... |
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29th Dec 2017 6:49pm |
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| trickster5000 Member Since: 12 Dec 2015 Location: East Yorkshire Posts: 502  
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I had to replace mine because it had developed a leak - was pleasantly surprised to find you can get an aluminium one for £100 so I would say given the state of yours it would be best to replace just to be safe
Matt.
'89 90 CSW with a 3.5 V8 conversion (WIP) - http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic46809.html |
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29th Dec 2017 7:02pm |
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| shropshiredefender Member Since: 05 Jun 2017 Location: Shropshire Posts: 834
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My old 300tdi's rad went the same way as yours after around 150k miles - eventually it gave up the ghost warping the head  |
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29th Dec 2017 7:07pm |
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| L110CDL Member Since: 31 Oct 2015 Location: Devon Posts: 10739
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Same as mine as it developed a leak so replaced it with an all aluminium one
 1996 Golf Blue 300Tdi 110 Pick up.
Keeper. Clayton. |
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29th Dec 2017 10:00pm |
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| Alex1976 Member Since: 23 Jan 2013 Location: Buckingham Posts: 596
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I would say get it changed, it’s not worth overheating and the damage that could do. I put an alluminium rad on my 300tdi a couple of years ago and it still looks like new and cools well. I picked it up on eBay for about £120, there are plenty on there.
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30th Dec 2017 8:16am |
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| donmacn Member Since: 06 Nov 2017 Location: Nth Scotland Posts: 1841
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Been looking at new radiators, and it seems there's quite a discussion to be had about ally vs copper and brass vs plastic and alloy...
specifically on th aluminium ones, any particular recommendations? Obviously allisport, but they're a bit expensive right now - and I don't really think my car needs "improved cooling". I think the standard rad has done just fine all these years. Donald 1994 Defender 300Tdi 110 SW - owned since 2002 - 230k miles and going strong (The 'rolling restoration' or tinkering thread: http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic58538.html ) 2000 Range Rover P38 4.0L V8 in the past.. RR classic - fitted with 200Tdi 1984 RR classic - V8 with ZF auto box 1993 Discovery 300Tdi not to mention the minis and the Type 2 VW camper... |
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30th Dec 2017 9:44am |
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| Dave T Member Since: 07 Jun 2013 Location: Glasgow Posts: 490 
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I have one from here, been in two years, the temp has been rock steady on motorways, in heavy traffic and hard off roading.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/budget-radiator...2749.l2654 2015 RRS Autobiography SDV6 1994 Def 90 300tdi |
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30th Dec 2017 6:04pm |
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| zsd-puma Member Since: 09 Aug 2016 Location: Kent Posts: 2720
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That's pretty much knackerd. If the end tanks are in good nick you can probably get it rebuilt.
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30th Dec 2017 8:21pm |
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| jst Member Since: 14 Jan 2008 Location: Taunton Posts: 8018 
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That needs changing before it does go. Replace with a std one, look how long std ones last. Cheers
James 110 2012 XS Utility 130 2011 M57 bespoke Camper 90 2010 Hardtop 90 M57 1988 Hardtop |
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30th Dec 2017 8:38pm |
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| walfy Member Since: 29 Aug 2007 Location: Frome Posts: 2658
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When I fitted a 300 auto to my 90 I replaced the tired rad. Ended up going to a local place in Bristol for a recore, had a bigger core fitted. Increased volume by 20% IIRC. Only cost £140 for cash.
Would of thought that there would be somewhere similar like that near you? 110 D250 SE HT 110 USW SOLD RRE HSE Dynamic Gone, wife killed it VOLVO XC60 R Dynamic with some toys Polaris RZR 900XP SOLD |
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30th Dec 2017 9:30pm |
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| donmacn Member Since: 06 Nov 2017 Location: Nth Scotland Posts: 1841
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"Would of thought that there would be somewhere similar like that near you?"
Nope, I suspect not. No offence or challenge intended whatsoever. I sometimes get quite jealous of the number/density of specialist garages/services "way down south". I know we have someone locally who will skim heads, regrind bores etc. under the name of Precision Engine Services. I think my head was skimmed there at least once, but things liks radiator re-coring probably means taking it out, parceling it up, sending it away, waiting a week or two...... That's why I usually end up getting a new part and fitting it, rather than getting involved with rebuilding/repairing. Despite its age, this is my daily car, not somethign that sits in the garage waiting for the postie. New radiator it is then. I tend to agree with the 'buy genuine' thing though. Even allowing for my memory I think this will be the second one in this car, probably about 10 - 12 years ago? I can live with that. Thanks very much for all the responses though. It's typical of my experience with this car that I get a wee warning before anything major 'pops' and leaves me stranded. It's never done that to me! Donald 1994 Defender 300Tdi 110 SW - owned since 2002 - 230k miles and going strong (The 'rolling restoration' or tinkering thread: http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic58538.html ) 2000 Range Rover P38 4.0L V8 in the past.. RR classic - fitted with 200Tdi 1984 RR classic - V8 with ZF auto box 1993 Discovery 300Tdi not to mention the minis and the Type 2 VW camper... |
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30th Dec 2017 11:31pm |
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| Retroanaconda Member Since: 04 Jan 2012 Location: Scotland Posts: 2639 
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31st Dec 2017 5:52pm |
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