[Mike Diaz]

1. i just got a CSF radiator off radiatorexpress. the plastic crap.. the install fits and all. but the old Cap doesn't fit the new radiator.. so i got one from autozone,the new cap fits but really tie, i have to force it.. should i keep that cap or order one that from CSF??.. the old cap has a spring in it. and the new one doesn't.. hope you guys understand my discription.. with or without the spring in the cap, can i still use it?

2. After i install the new radiator and everything back together. i want to use water to flush out the old coolens inside the system.. after 10minuts with the heat on Max.. the top hose is hot but the bottom hose is cold.. does that mean the thermastat needs replacement??.. but how can it go bad??.. it was working fine before(2 days ago).. i left the car over night with the bottom hose open.. can the thermastat go bad by just leaving the hose open out? without water(like a fish)?

3. i took off the Thermosensor.. and there's a small little black rubber(O-ring).. it broke.. where can i find that part??.. or do i need it??
thanks for reading my newbie questions..

1. I had one of those radiators on my 91 Sedan. I replaced it twice (lifetime warranty) because of the poor quality. I had to take a piece of sandpaper and take off a small layer of plastic from around the radiator cap mount. Just sand it until your cap fits. The mold must have been a little too big when they manufactured the radiator.

2. If you bought a thermostat from AutoZone, and it's not working, it doesn't surprise me. I can't count on two hands that amount of bad thermostats I've bought from A-Z and other parts stores. OEM is the way to go. What you need to do is drive your car for about 10-15 minutes, and then carefully check your lower radiator hose to see if it's hot or cold. You should also check your heater hoses at the back of the engine and make sure coolant is cycling through there too. If all the hoses are hot, you're probably ok. If one of the heater hoses are cold, then you may have a clogged heater core (not a common problem). If the lower radiator hose is cold after your drive, I would venture to say that you either have a thermostat or water pump problem.

3. go to the dealer, it'll only be a few bucks.

 

[Mike Diaz]

i have this Warranty form to fill out.. did you install it yourself??. did you bring it to the shop to get all these Pressure test???.. and had to put in those PSI numbers...

For anyone buying a NEW radiator.. NEVER go with the plastic crap.. it looks cheap it feels cheap and it's not worth it.. put an extra 20 -30 bucks for a better one(anything that's NOT plastic)..

Modine all metal is definitely the way to go.

I install everything myself. I was installing it at the same time as the head gaskets, so the pressure test wasn't needed.