starting to get a bit warmer here in the northeast, and my disco started getting warm as well in stop-and-go with the A/C on. water pump is new(ish), fan clutch is a new chevy one, efans both turn on with the A/C... without the A/C in traffic and on the highway and even on the beach my temp gauge always sat at 9 oclock or a touch below. my pressure bottle sometimes has a little bit of condensation around the cap, but it is barely noticeable.

i'm assuming the radiator needs to be replaced. i havent verified any hot/cold spots as of yet, but this and the pressure bottle are the only two pieces of the puzzle left. i REALLY dont like the junk aluminum/plastic ones on ebay, and 6-700 for a new brass one is crazy.

so how about this?

56mm Landrover Discovery Series 1 Range Rover 86 94 Aluminum Radiator | eBay

 

Never seen anyone use it, but looks very interesting.

I have one of the aluminum/plastic radiators. No problems so far.

 

the name seems to have a good rep among the 'straya silvia and honda crowd. these china ripoffs are usually almost exactly the same as other high end all aluminum name brand ones. once i confirm that my rad needs replacement i'll order one up.

 

Unless your rad is shot, then I would look into a recore. The OE Brass/Copper rads are much better than the new. And at $500 - $700 no thanks.


As for this Made in China aluminum, I would still go for a recore first. If you decide to pull the trigger on this ebay rad then you might want to ask what the fitting threads are before you buy. They don't even look close especially the trans cooler side. Also find out if it is fully welded with NO Epoxy.


My 2 cents.....save your receipt.

 

i'll look into a recore, but i highly doubt there is a place local that does it. after searching, it seems i can get an OEM rad for less than 500 shipped.... worth it?

 

well, drove home and checked the rad.. driver's side is hot, pass side lukewarm. top to bottom there is no difference.

 

"it seems i can get an OEM rad for less than 500 shipped.... worth it? "


Depends on the brand. Just a heads-up, last summer had to send back 5 ALLMAKES. They never made it off the parts store counter. Different issues from hose bungs at the wrong angle and wrong OD. One had the wrong threads in the oil cooler bungs. Also sent back a NISSENS for Lower Rad hose bung at the wrong angle.


So I guess if you can get eyes-on then try. If ordered on-line, cross your fingers. My first choice is still re-core if you can.


What about this place in LI for a re-core?? Look under "SERVICES" Since 1950* |* Radiator & Auto Services* |* HOME* |* ACME Radiator Good Luck!

 

i searched for a while and never found anything, thanks! the OEM one i saw was a nissens. is that what was in the rover from the factory? my current one is labeled as such... if a re-core is silly expensive, i can always just buy an aluminum/plastic one from amazon for less than 200 shipped.

 

OE Rover was not Nissens, so the rad you have has been replaced. Knowing that, I don't think I would waste the time trying to re-core a nissens. The brass tanks on the OE are better quality and thicker. The oil coolers are also a better design.


I got zero in the plastic/aluminium rads. My concern would be the oil coolers. If the engine oil cooler is undersized it will cook the tank and can cause a leak.
There are a few guys on here that run that style rad so maybe they can give you some info.

 

Ok, not nissens... Not sure if it is original or not. Gonna guess it isn't, and that the date stamp says it's from 2002. It is all metal.



Regardless, it is probably ready to be replaced.