So I need a new radiator

[rdmarsiii]

Noticed my car ran about two bars over halfway, so got it checked out. The top of the radiator is running at about 190 degrees and the bottom is about 120. So I think I have a clog or something somewhere. I found one on radiatorbarn.com for $150. Any thoughts? Thanks, david

[Reatta45]

David...

Your temp readings are not high?. 190 at top is where it should be running? 120 at the outlet on the bottom shows that the radiator is doing what it should, it?s dumping heat. If this is the temp you are running when the temp gage is reading warmer than that I would check the thermostat, sounds like you could use a cooler around 180 degree thermostat, get a super stat it will open all the way and allow a better flow of coolant to the radiator. KennyV.

[rdmarsiii]

Oh okay I was told my radiator is clogged up :-/

I'll check into that today <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Thanks

[Guest F14CRAZY]

Yup. Try a 180 thermostat and if you're into it, try getting one of those DIY flushing kits. I think it's prestone. Lets you connect a garden hose to the system to flush it out.

Additionally, I think Valvoline has a flushing solution that I heard works really well.

[Shelby]

When you put in the new radiator replace thermostat 180 make it run cooler, the water pump. all the hoses and hose clamps.

Do a good flush AFTER you do the work to get as much clud out of the system as possible.

Clean out the overflow bottle.

A water pump cost about the same as a gallon of anti freeze and are very easy to change.

[rdmarsiii]

The car has a new water pump and it looks to be a fairly new radiator. I put a 180 degree thermostat in it today and it seems to be running cooler, but I really need to get it on the highway to know for sure. Thanks guys <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

[Texan]

I do not know how the water is in Weatherford but where I live in West Texas the water is harder than the asphalt. I am using distilled water until I can get a new water softener and RO system on my well.

If the water is really hard there you will have a problem with the radiator, thermostat, water pump, etc., not working properly. Check E-bay if you need a radiator.

Texan

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Two '88 Reattas and looking for an '89.