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Radiators S90-V90 1998

Hi all. Does anyone have information about "Nissens" radiator quality?

Thank you








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    Radiators S90-V90 1998

    The aluminum-plastic Nissens radiators are fine, equivalent to the Blackstone OEM versions. Avoid the brass-solder versions for your car due to corrosion and short life.








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      Radiators S90-V90 1998

      I do not care for the fit quality of the Nissens in the later 940 and 960 models. Their all metal radiators for the earlier red engines are great. I have had no corrosion problems with them and if they need rodding out at a point that is not a problem either. The big bonus of course is that you do away with the crappy plastic side tanks.

      All of the later model Volvo's I service I simply stuff in a factory Volvo radiator (Blackstone) and be done with it. They do kind of suck from the plastic side tank angle but in the same breath it is hard to bad mouth something that routinely seems to do 100K before replacement is necessary.

      The aftermarket metal radiators for the late model red engine and 960/S90's that I have looked at have been complete and total dog meat and I would not wish one of those on my worst enemy.

      The after market radiator world is really a hard core dog eat dog kind of world. I can purchase a radiator for your car for $50.00 or sometimes less and I am here to tell ya you will get what you pay for. There is not a week that goes by that I don't have somebody in my shop passing out scratch pads and stickers for their radiator business.

      In my opinion, do yourself a favor and spend a little bit more money and hang a factory part and if you just can't bring yourself to spend the $$ then don't step down any further than a Nissen and always, always run a factory thermostat.

      Mark

      Mark








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        Radiators S90-V90 1998

        Rule 308,

        In your opinion, Would you avoid having your radiator rebuilt?

        kkoch








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          Radiators S90-V90 1998


          Yes, I would avoid having it rebuilt unless it is an old school conventional radiator with brass side tanks and a copper or aluminum core.

          Understand something though, I own my own shop and guarantee anything that I touch for one year. That being said I am not going to do an hokie repairs or use substandard part. What you do on your own vehicle is your own thing. Last year I watched my neigbor pull the monster radiator out of his full size ford station wagon, bend up the tabs on the side tanks, pull the tanks, stuff an unwound clock spring from a grandfather clock through the passages and effectively rod it out right there in the driveway. I loaned him a couple of my monster wood working clamps and he clamped it all back together, bent the tabs back over, stuffed it back in his boat of a station wagon, and it all worked choice. Blew my mind for sure, but I cannot do something like that for a consumer. If you want to try it go ahead, just be ready to shell out the coin for a new radiator when and if it does not work or if it takes a dump on you down the road.

          Mark








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            Radiators S90-V90 1998

            Rule 308

            I orginally took the S90 to the dealer. I don't trust too many around here to work on the car. I was told that I had corrosion around the top radiator hose. When they re connected I found out the next day that it leaked worse than before. Took it back and they think but would not actually admit that the tech might have clamped the hose down too much and may have cracked the connector, or it may just have been old and done already. They have offered to put in a Volvo radiator at their cost with no labor charge. My original radiator has 160K on it. Should I grab it?

            Thanks,

            Rebe








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              Radiators S90-V90 1998

              If their cost is between 2-300 it sounds like a deal. See if you can get new hoses put on as well, even if you pay for them yourself. Good Luck.
              --
              97 S90 with 182K miles still going strong







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