I've got a 1992 245 with about 126,000 miles on it. I'm going to be doing my timing belt in the next week or so, but while I'm in there I'm thinking about replacing the radiator. Is there any way to tell how old my radiator is? I'm guessing that there's some manufactured date stamped on it somewhere. I'm not the original owner of the vehicle, so I don't know if it has ever been replaced. But the radiator looks to be only about 4 or 5 years old at the most. It is the original volvo style radiator with plastic sides.

Did I mention that Jay Fiedler stinks?

Last week was his typical one great game for the season.

Cut it in half and count the rings.

...(at least I can run, old man)...

Yes, even I, the Hall of Fame bound Dan Marino, would have a terrible time passing behind the crummy offensive line that has been assembled for this year's team. Jay isn't the only problem this season, but through his 4+ years leading the team, he's proven that he can't make the throws that he needs to make.

(By the way, I didn't need to run to win games. I won games with my golden arm. If I had Ricky and the same defense that Jay Fiedler has had, I would have won two Superbowls!)

Age is only one variable of potential radiator failure, mostly leading to the breaking of the plastic nipple connecting to the hose. Just check the condition of the nipples by taking the hose off and looking for cobweb-pattern cracking, discolouration, bits broken off, crumbling, etc. On my 1988 240 the top nipple broke off at 295000 km, and the plastic looked pretty haggard all around.

Less age-related is potential clogging up, due to bad or aged coolant use. A backflush will give you some idea: if clean water comes out freely, it is OK; if rusty/muddy crap slowly you have trouble.

George

My radiator has a white sticker on top. Don't know of any other way to figure it out. Is it cooling okay?

How is your water pump?? If needed, you might consider doing that while you're in there anyway....

Let me know how the job is as I will probably be doing the same in the next 6 months or so. Fun!!!



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Jim 90 244DL 245K