Noticed a puddle of coolant yesterday. While running the engine I can see little bubbles where upper inlet tube meets radiator body. This is probably a crack, right? Is there anything I can do to fix this, or is it toast?

thx

I just had a metal tank repaired. It had a crack around the transmission cooler line (top one). The shop brazed the tank for strength and then resoldered it. It costed me $15 US.

Why the hell do they make plastic tanks?

I believe it is for 2 reasons: weight savings (every once counts for fuel savings) and cost (plastic is a lot cheaper).

I believe you can also put more pressure into a plastic radiator. Note Volvo has been increasing the pressure in the cooling system over the years. More pressure gives better gooding with a smaller system. When you go back to a metal radiator you must also change the coolant cap back to the older version black (low pressure) cap. The metal radiators cannot take the higher pressures.

Yep, especially if it's the original plastic p.o.s. Our '93 plastic radiator went out last summer. First cracks are almost always the stress points where the hoses meet the rad.

Get a new metal, lifetime guarantee job for about $200. They are simple to replace. If you do hoses and thermostat at the same time, you'll be good for years.

thx Rob. You're right. I removed the hose and see the crack. POS is right. This a B230FT. I'm not seeing any metal radiators in IPD or RPR for turbo 940. Any ideas on sources?

I believe that both RPR and IPD carry all-metal Nissen radiators for turbos. Call for more information. How many miles on your present radiator?

81k on the car.

IPD's latest complete RWD catalog is very clear on this: for 940 turbos they spec the standard plastic radiator.... at $304!

RPR only lists a 940 series radiator for 1991, having the same model number as earlier 700 series.

If either of these fine companies would do business on Saturdays, then I'd be phoning them; as it is I'll try on Monday, but I'm not expecting much.

Autozone and other local parts places all say "sorry, go to dealer".

I believe the compatibility issue is the electric cooling fan on my 940. Right now the dealer and a plastic rad is looking like the only way :(.

Hey, if you wanna factory rad, here is a place to call will ship COD next day they pay shipping Wholesale Radiator warehouse. 800-629-2665. I bought a rad for my 88 740 from them and have had no problems in 80K.

I purchased a three row Nissen metal radiator from IPD for my 92 940GL (non turbo). I think the Turbo 940's are the only ones you can't get a Nissen for. Still the Volvo OE radiator is not bad, it will last you for many years. I have 3 row Nissen metal in my 87 765T that is already starting a slow leak and it is only 4 years old.

I still have not replaced the original OE radiator in my 92 940. It has a slow leak and I am not sure how much more I can get out of it before I put in the Nissen. I also have the electric fan.