Which Make Of Radiator Is Best?!

[lagonda 42]

Well chuffed, took the CTi for a test run and the idle is back where it should be. Fortunately the test drive was reasonably short, as when we got back, steam was obvious at the front of the car. I'd unbolted the throttle body, and left the two small hoses connected to it, planning to clean it in situ, to save undoing those hoses. Wish I had now, as, somehow, the throttle body ended up tightly wedged against the radiator, and despite care unwedging it, the radiator fins were slightly damaged. Annoyingly, enough damage for the radiator to leak once hot, though. Really annoyed...it was a new Nissens aluminium radiator fitted about 4 years ago.

 

Anyway, been searching and a new Nissens one here in France is around €81-€85.

 

Valeo have an all copper one, and a copper/aluminium one, the copper/aluminum one goes for €55-€60

 

Also seen NRF and Bolk ones advertised.

 

Any preferences for these? Also seen a new Peugeot one (1331QY) for sale on Leboncoin for €47....but see the label states it's made in China.

[wicked 105 3 Cars]

Nissens are best, but Valeo's are also ok.

 

For tuned engines I would take a Nissens, else Valeo.

[lagonda 42]

Thanks, wicked.

 

Now I've looked more carefully, I see the cheaper Valeo one, 310827, is in their "Valeo Classic" range. On the site I'm looking at, that is priced at €67.31. Their "Classic" range is aimed ar cars over 10 years old, and seems to be targeted at less well off owners, and taking into count the life of the car. That seems to infer that that radiator may have a reduced life expectancy than one from their standard OE quality range.....810827, priced at €84.58 on the same site. Unfortunately, they don't state what areas are compromised to enable the lower price. The only clear differences are that 310827 is alu/copper and "epaisseur" - thickness- is 32-35mm, whereas 810827 is copper and 35mm. Thickness could be the thickness of the radiator block, or perhaps, the diameter of the inlet & outlet pipes.

 

I've been pretty happy with the Nissens one, just annoyed that it has leaked after such slight damage. Must be more careful.

 

The Peugeot one on Leboncoin looks good value at €49, but I'm not so sure with the Made in China label!

 

Two other makes are AVA, a German make, and Frigair.

[lagonda 42]

A bit more searching, and found a remarkably similar posting from 2012 on a French 205 site. Looks like Valeo is not well thought of, and Nissens strongly favoured. So, found a French site, one-piece autos, with a Nissens one at €81.10, ordered it and now hope TNT get it here soon.