Notice: We request that you don't just set up a new account at this time if you are a previous user.
If you used to be one of our moderators, please feel free to reach out to Chris via the facebook Outerlimits4x4 group and he will get you set back up with access should he need you.
Recovery:If you cannot access your old email address and don't remember your password, please click here to log a change of email address so you can do a password reset.

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

Tech Talk for Suzuki owners.

Moderators: lay80n, sierrajim

Post Reply
Posts: 215
Joined: Sat Jun 21, 2003 12:59 am
Location: Launceston

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

Post by 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?
Posts: 2169
Joined: Fri Jun 16, 2006 4:41 pm
Location: melbourne

Post by joeblow »

buy new...not worth repairing.
lwb 1.6efi,4sp auto,f&r airlockers,dual t/cases.custom coils.builder of ROAD LEGAL custom suzukis...and other stuff.
CAD modelling-TECH drawings-DXF preparation.
http://www.auszookers.com/index.php
Posts: 176
Joined: Tue Dec 11, 2007 10:10 pm
Location: Perth

Post by 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.
93 NJ,5 speed,2" body lift,32" muddies

There's nuttn like momentum
Posts: 223
Joined: Sat Sep 27, 2003 5:10 pm
Location: NW Sydney, NSW

Post by 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.
1998 Vitara Hard Top 2.0 EFI
65mm springs (by Allsprings)
35mm body lift
Rancho RS9000's
235's on 15in alloys
Flipped strut mounts
Posts: 133
Joined: Thu Aug 03, 2006 3:39 pm
Location: East Brisbane

Post by 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
Posts: 432
Joined: Tue Sep 11, 2007 1:55 pm
Location: Western Australia

Post by rustyvit »

My 91 split the plastic tank also, I just replaced the radiator with a newy.
Posts: 48
Joined: Mon Sep 08, 2008 10:29 pm
Location: Northside

Post by 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.
Posts: 133
Joined: Thu Aug 03, 2006 3:39 pm
Location: East Brisbane

Post by 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
Posts: 120
Joined: Thu Feb 07, 2008 7:53 am
Location: Chur Bay, New Zealand

Post by Mudbits »

Sounds like you may have head problems too. They dont crack for no reason! Are you running extractors?
Posts: 133
Joined: Thu Aug 03, 2006 3:39 pm
Location: East Brisbane

Post by 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
User avatar
Guy
Posts: 10366
Joined: Thu Dec 12, 2002 8:43 am
Location: Wangaratta

Post by Guy »

Mudbits wrote: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.
" If governments are involved in the covering up the knowledge of aliens, Then they are doing a much better job of it than they do of everything else "
User avatar
Guy
Posts: 10366
Joined: Thu Dec 12, 2002 8:43 am
Location: Wangaratta

Post by Guy »

bugden23 wrote: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.
" If governments are involved in the covering up the knowledge of aliens, Then they are doing a much better job of it than they do of everything else "
Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 3 guests