Does this mean I need a new radiator?
 

For the last few weeks I have had a slow coolant leak which has progressivley gotten worse. I have parked the car for the last few weeks due to incliment weather and have just gotten around to identifing the problem.

As I took the coolant overflow tank out, the last bit of coolant leaked out from the bottom of the tank and I found this... the rest of the return nozzle is stuck in the hose from the tank to the radiator.

Is there an easy fix for this or does this mean I have to swap for a new radiator??

Attachment 248695

Attachment 248696

Thanks for all your help...

looks like you will need a new one

Yup.....new radiator time :)

humm... no cheap fix huh?

Sure is a lot of rust forming under there

Likely the tank is getting weak....

Any fix would be shakey at best....not worth having a catostrophic failure and loosing a motor :)

An OEM replacement would be $300 or less and if you can do it yourself it wouldn't be too bad

not so much rust, just dirty..

yea, good point. I can do the install myself so i'm not worried about that.

I opted for the ($230) Mishimoto brand bought through eBay two years ago after 108,000. It was a pretty snug fit compared to the OEM, a few have suggested BHR's also.

Same place mine broke during a run when the water pump belt broke. Don't cheap out dude unless you absolutely have too. I bought the Koyo and have regretted it ever since. It's barely as capable as the stock one.

Soooooo.... No go on the koyo???

No. I was actually seeing higher average temps (only slightly higher but still) in my data logs than I was with the factory rad. I have the Cobb turning the fans on earlier now and it's doing fine but we will see how it goes when it gets hotter. I plan on just ditching the Koyo and getting the Ron Davis just to be safe.

The mishimoto shroud looks nice but I have read bad things about the fitment of the mishimotos on several cars. Not worth the hassle, it is a tight fit as is.

It's not much of a hassle, mine fit just fine and I've had mine for 18 months. The top hanger is at a slight right-angle and a simple modification would do. Look at the third picture... I flipped the nut to hold the radiator on the hanger while I work with the bottom brackets. I had to buy a regular nut instead of that stock with the flat bottom to make the fitment.

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._7207369_n.jpg

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._2573270_n.jpg

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._7070572_n.jpg

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._5439803_n.jpg

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._7270953_n.jpg

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._2310890_n.jpg

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._3103401_n.jpg

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._8000550_n.jpg

I meant too much of a hassle for little benefit when you can buy a proven one that fits perfect and actually cools better. Your Mishimoto may have fit okay buy I have seen some that are way off. That's the point, you never know what you are going to get from them.


Here is one example from a two second search.

https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...ight=mishimoto

https://www.rx8club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1255720206

I have a lightly used Ron Davis rad for sale
PM if interested

Don't be a pessimist, his fit the same as mine did... :bigok:

i've had a mishimoto rad for right around 8 months now, and i've had no problems what so ever. it fit in just right (it's a bit bigger than stock, so of course it's gonna be a little tighter) and has kept my temps low. i've also heard really good things about the ron davis, but the price difference in these 2 radiators is pretty big.. especially considering the mishi has a lifetime warranty.