Gti radiator differences

[Gavin Waddell 18]

Probably a dumb question but 1.6 and 1.9 radiators our identical? 

 

I ask because over here I can I buy a Nissans aluminium  radiator for a 1.6 for 100 francs, our a Valeo copper for a 1.9 for 90 francs. 

 

Guessing the valeo copper is better than the Nissens aluminium as far a corrosion is concerned ?

 

Gavin 

[welshpug 1,661]

for a non ac car they are the same, as are non turbo diesel.

 

typically for years over here a Nissens radiator would have been £40-50, however since moving their production to the far east the quality has dropped significantly, the Copper Valeo unit will be closest you can get to the original factory radiator I believe, and be very efficient.

[Ozymandis 97]

13 hours ago, Gavin Waddell said:

Guessing the valeo copper is better than the Nissens aluminium as far a corrosion is concerned ? 

No, I have had 3 copper 205 rads corrode from the outside and leak, never had an alloy one do that. The  copper foil finning corrodes to black flakes and blows away from the cross tubes as well. Longterm I prefer alloy. Not all alloy ones are Nissens  current poor quality.

 

As welsh says, copper is more original. I fitted a Turkish made copper  core one to an original low mileage car recently (i cant remember the brand a bit of web searching at the time re-assured me they were OK) and a Taiwan made NRF  alloy core one to an everyday shed, it was much better made than Nissens junk. I`m using NRF from now on. NRF do list copper cored ones as well.