Radiator replacement

[Goldfishy]

99' GCL, 112,000 miles.

I'm developing a right hand water leak and seems to come from the radiator (original) itself. I'll check the stopcock, but have to assume it's not that.

Question: anyone have their radiator replaced? If so, what's the cost?

Anything else to consider?

[95zj1]

I have a 95zj, had my radiator replaced at 105,000 miles. The sides are plastic and mine had a leak at the seam on the side. I went to BOB SUMERALL tires and had it done. Had a heavey duty put in and the cost was a little over 200. Its to bad they went with plastic sides but what can you do. If you do it yourself your probally looking at 100-125 for a radiator. I replaced the cockpit first to see if that was the problem but no such luck,hope this helps.

[erictlewis]

About 1 month ago I went outsied and saw a small puddle uneath my wifes JGC It has the 4.0 in it woth about 80,000 on it. It is the first time my wifes 97 has had a major problem, not lime my 5.2 liter 97.

I thought the hoses might be bad, it was original equipment and at that age you should change the hose anyway. That did not fix the problem.

I took it to a mechianic they pulled the radiator and found there was a very small hole next to the drain valve, about the size of a pin hole. They said they have been seing a lot of premature radiator deaths on the 1995-1998 jeeps.

Price to put a new heavy duty radiator in was 680, parts, labor tax, and included a new thermostat. So reapiars like this one I leave to the pros, the small stuff I can do for myself.

I had called around and the dealership, wanted almost 900 for a regular radiator, never ever take it to the dealership.

[Goldfishy]

Okay, thanks, yes, that's where the leak appears to be happening, right around the drain stopcock area.

Yea, something like this, I prefer to take to the specialized shop rather than the dealer. The dealer will end up charging a lot more for the same thing.

[Goldfishy]

Okay, it's Monday, the Super Stop Leak from Prestone didn't work on Sunday (I'm going to ask for my money back, per their advertisement on the sticker).

Anyways, I took it to a local radiator shop, they pressure-tested it, it's a pinhole leak on the right top side, nearby where the plastic meet the metal, go figure.

For $273.72 out the door, I get a lifetime warranty on the Modine radiator, a new upper and lower hose. I feel much safer now having to replace not only the original radiator, but the original mushy top hose. I can't complain about the hoses tho', they've gone this long (5 years and nearly 112,000 mi. and not one problem), maybe I should have purchased the OEM from the dealer tho', it was almost the same cost too.

The dealer wanted $615.58 for the same thing.

[95zj1]

So you saved well over $300 thats pretty good. My only question is that super stop leak. I used a product, don't remember what it was called years ago and it was bad news. Never did stop the leak in my raliator but sure cloged up my heater core. I had it in there for awhile, not trying to scare but I hope they flushed the system good. That was my mistake.

[Goldfishy]

Hi, 95zj1:

Thanks for asking, yes, I made sure they "reverse flushed" it out, and watched as they did it.

They too said that leaking radiator sealants no matter the brand nor company, they are basically not good to use at all, even if it stops it for a "little bit". Like you said, it will clog up other things, such as a possible clog in the block, in the heater core (your case), even a new radiator, if there was a bad bend in the core.

Yea, it was a hugh savings. It helps to go these little hole in the wall places, but I can see if they are clean and lots of business outside. In my particular area where I went, you might not want to drive around at nights, but the daytime is fine.

[Dsilver]

Congrats on a job well done.

[dksob81]

don't knwo i fu got a new radiator yet, but call radiator express. u can get a new one real cheap, I paid $175 for mine (94 Grand Cherokee Limited 5.2L). and the local radiator shop wanted like $300 for it. si I save about $100. not sure what the Dealer wanted doubt if it was cheaper. nothing ever is at the dealer.