Can anyone recommend a radiator brand. i'm on my third one. They rust like they're made of tin. Right now I have about 2 inches at the top of just the vertical pieces, the wavy lines are almost gone there. Plus there's a leak. my first one was from the dealer, my second I got at an autoparts store, my third a mechanic put in. I have a '92 wrangler with the 6 cylinder, AC, external tranny cooler and about 150k miles. thanks

Where you live, I'm surprised the convertable tops don't rust away!
I am not aware of any that would be better than another in your area. I'd be looking for a good price and go with it.
Big JIm <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

There is nothing in a radiator that can rust. They are either made out of copper and brass soldered together or they are made out of aluminum with plastic headers and are crimped together. The only part this could be contributing the rust would be the head and the block. Given the age of your jeep I would guess itÆs a soldered brass/ copper radiator, and shouldnÆt be a problem, if its an aluminum / plastic one, I would suggest getting one that was soldered together because over time those o-rings between the headers and core will fail. I replaced the radiator in my Æ99 XJ at around 120K miles because the seals were leaking, I was able to find a replacement soldered copper/ brass radiator, and its been working great. Are you sure the leak is coming form the radiator?

Sean

Sean He has had 3 radiators in that ride.. From his description of the fins dissapearing I'd think something in the rain or air or on the street itself is EATING the copper. If so there is no recourse cept installing a new one every time it needs another.
Big JIm <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

When you do get your next new radiator installed, I'd sugest filling it with anti-freeze and DISTILLED water, rather than tap water. In a lot of geographic areas, that slows down the corosion/rusting.

I hear ya Jim, but that just doesn't make any sense. Copper, Brass, and Aluminum are all very corrosion resistant, that is why they are all used on boats and ships. Sitting in salt water has to be worse than anything New York could throw at a car. And if whatever has attacked the radiator from the outside is that bad, I would think his jeep would look like Swiss cheese. ThatÆs why I was leaning more towards assuming he had an aluminum/ plastic unit.

Sean

Hey guys, if figured a picture is worth more so here it is. I have thought about distilled water but this looks like an outside in problem. The tranny radiator and AC condensor look fine.

I had that zact picture in my head. I would suggest purchaseing a new radiator. Then moving out of the area. We still have model A radiators in better shape than that around here...
Your problem is from external sources. Things you have no control over.
Big Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

Thanks Jim, you've always helped out since I joined. I want to move to Montana, and have no neighbors as far as I can see. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" /> If I lean out my window here I can touch my neighbors house.
I figured being on an island surrounded by salt water would definately cause rust, but I thought radiators were made of unrusting stuff like copper (?).
p.s. Is that a cut off dears head on your avatar??!!? people here would think thats barbaric. They forget that food in the supermarket was once an animal. Maybe I should move to Texas. I'm sorta into guns too.

For many years I had it in my mind that if I ever had to hide myself, I could be found in Darby Montana.. My memories of that beautiful place stay with me till this day. Then I found Silverton New Mexico.. I guess I'm too old now to have to hide from anyone, But If I show up missing... Silverton is where I'll be.
For gods sake...stay the hell out of Texas! We have nuf yankees here already.
As for the radiator.. There could be something to say about the lectric field of the vehicle and the salt or other chemicals. Whatever it was, it don't happen down here.
Big Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />