93 Vitara - Cracked radiator - plastic top - repair/replace?

[mtb4x4mad]

I've noticed an extended crack in the plastic section at the top of the radiator in my 93 Vit. Is it possible or worth getting repairs? Can the plastic top section be replaced?

Other options include a second hand one - I have a 4 dr G16B - do the 2 dr radiators fit?

Alternatively, a new radiator can be had for about $300 - any thoughts?

[joeblow]

buy new...not worth repairing.

[scooby_74]

if your 2 dr is carby different from the efi 4 dr, different hight and chassie in the front completly different, if its efi might fit.
get a new top tank from your rad shop if the core is ok cheapest way.

[Impulsive]

Also have a look at the metal clips that hold the top tank on. If they have been painted, then the radiator has likely been apart before. It may not be an economical fix, which makes a replacement reco one a better prospect. Might have to price the both options.

[bugden23]

My 4 door '94 model had the same problem

i replaced the radiator with an all steel one from the 2 ltr model.

don't bother replacing it with another plastic tank, their useless

[rustyvit]

My 91 split the plastic tank also, I just replaced the radiator with a newy.

[vit94]

I firgue the last one last 200 000 kms so for $160 it's worth getting the top tank replaced. The other option $485 for a new one .
For an old run about $340 is better off in my pocket.

[bugden23]

On a Side note,

isn't it interesting that people who do cheap repairs on their cars are alwys the ones shocked and appauled when they buy a car and find its not up to scratch

karmic allignment is alive and well

[Mudbits]

Sounds like you may have head problems too. They dont crack for no reason! Are you running extractors?

[bugden23]

I was lucky that my car was in fairly good nick when i bought it, but there were dodgy repairs done on it over the years, that would have been cheaper for me to to fix if people had performed proper maintainence on it, rather than doing hte minimum to keep it going

[Guy]

Sounds like you may have head problems too. They dont crack for no reason! Are you running extractors?

I would say that there is no logical link between a 17 year old radiator tank cracking and anything else.

Its an old bit of plastic that is subjected to alot of heat and is under pressure, gets greasy fingers on it from time to time (not good for plastic) small knicks from tools being rested on them etc that create stress risers.

I have had several tanks crack on older cars, that after replacement have done many 10's of thousands of kilometers without issue.

I definatley would not go chasing gremlins that the only evidence of their existance is a failing plastic radiator tank header.

[Guy]

On a Side note,

isn't it interesting that people who do cheap repairs on their cars are alwys the ones shocked and appauled when they buy a car and find its not up to scratch

karmic allignment is alive and well

For many people what you call "cheap" repairs are all they can reasonably afford, try to be at least a bit sensitive to other peoples monetary situations.