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Does this mean I need a new radiator?

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Old 02-12-2011, 02:52 PM
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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??

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Thanks for all your help...

Last edited by 987HYS; 02-12-2011 at 03:12 PM.
Old 02-12-2011, 03:29 PM
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looks like you will need a new one
Old 02-12-2011, 03:45 PM
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Yup.....new radiator time
Old 02-12-2011, 06:21 PM
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humm... no cheap fix huh?
Old 02-12-2011, 06:23 PM
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Sure is a lot of rust forming under there
Old 02-12-2011, 06:30 PM
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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
Old 02-12-2011, 06:31 PM
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not so much rust, just dirty..
Old 02-12-2011, 06:38 PM
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Originally Posted by dannobre
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
yea, good point. I can do the install myself so i'm not worried about that.
Old 02-12-2011, 10:03 PM
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Originally Posted by dannobre
Likely the tank is getting weak... An OEM replacement would be $300 or less and if you can do it yourself it wouldn't be too bad
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.
Old 02-14-2011, 09:11 AM
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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.
Old 02-14-2011, 11:03 AM
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Soooooo.... No go on the koyo???
Old 02-14-2011, 11:12 AM
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TX

Originally Posted by 987HYS
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.
Old 02-14-2011, 06:44 PM
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Originally Posted by 9krpmrx8
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.
















Last edited by Grace_Excel; 02-14-2011 at 07:54 PM. Reason: Added pictures
Old 02-15-2011, 12:34 AM
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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


Last edited by 9krpmrx8; 02-15-2011 at 12:37 AM.
Old 02-16-2011, 05:29 PM
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I have a lightly used Ron Davis rad for sale
PM if interested
Old 02-17-2011, 02:25 AM
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Originally Posted by 9krpmrx8
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
Originally Posted by ObliqueFD
Mishimoto provided a replacement that is straight and now installed in my 8. The fan assembly bolted right up to the new one without any issues. The upper radiator mounts aren't angled correctly though, so I need to fab some brackets. It still could have been designed better, but for the money it was a good choice I suppose.
Don't be a pessimist, his fit the same as mine did...

Last edited by Grace_Excel; 02-17-2011 at 02:28 AM.
Old 02-18-2011, 03:25 PM
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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.
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