Radiator

Hey all,

Just have an experience that I wanted to send your way. My '02 Elantra developed a coolant leak this week. After several hours, I found the source, the coolant tank had a crack in it that was about 10 inches long. It looks like it split all at once. Is this a normal thing? Do the plastic radiators just all of a sudden split? And why aren't they made of metal?!?

Mine did on my 88 GMC P/U.
Side tank split wide open for no apperant reason. I dont know why they use these but there crimp on tanks with a rubber seal.
Easy to replace if you have the tool but for the 30 bucks I took mine in and had them replace the tank.
I never overheated, bumped the tank or overworked the engine to give me a senerio as to the big question, WHY.
All I can say is, chit happenes

Well, luckily, I was looking under the hood just doing my routine check when I noticed all the coolant sprayed everywhere. I lost about half, but it never overheated. Anyway, I ordered a new one and hope to install it today. I think I might try to find an after market unit with metal tanks.

Well, luckily, I was looking under the hood just doing my routine check when I noticed all the coolant sprayed everywhere. I lost about half, but it never overheated. Anyway, I ordered a new one and hope to install it today. I think I might try to find an after market unit with metal tanks.
Where are you getting your radiator from? If you are going OEM, and you have an auto, see if you can hold off. Right now, a new OEM lists at $374.66. March 1st, the price will be dropping to almost half of it's current level.

Thanks for the info. I know the transmission fluid is cooled also but how? it looks like it just goes in one side of the bottom and comes out the other side. How does this actually cool the fluid??

Where are you getting your radiator from? If you are going OEM, and you have an auto, see if you can hold off. Right now, a new OEM lists at $374.66. March 1st, the price will be dropping to almost half of it's current level.

Pepboys sells a replacement radiator for the Elantra for $178. The radiator looked identical to the original radiator except that only one version of the radiator is available (auto trans). 5sp Elantras need to ignore the transmission fluid ports.

Pepboys sells a replacement radiator for the Elantra for $178. The radiator looked identical to the original radiator except that only one version of the radiator is available (auto trans). 5sp Elantras need to ignore the transmission fluid ports.
After the price drop, a Hyundai one now lists at $240.00

Thanks for the info. I know the transmission fluid is cooled also but how? it looks like it just goes in one side of the bottom and comes out the other side. How does this actually cool the fluid??

That "simple process" actually cools the transmission fluid down to at least whatever the engine coolant temperature may be. Most automatic transmissions fail due to a breakdown of the transmission fluid (oil) caused by overheating. A completely separate transmission cooler is available that operates under the same principle is typically added whenever a towing package is ordered or heavy duty use mandates it.