On my way to work yesterday my car started to overheat--when I stopped at the next gas
station I found a 4 inch crack on the passenger side of the radiator.



I was able to make it home with no problems after letting it cool and dropping 3/4 of a gallon of water into the reserv.
Right now the two options that I'm looking at are buying a new radiator from O'reilly at $17x.xx with a lifetime warranty or from IPD for $184.80 .
I'm leaning towards IPD and was wondering if anybody thinks there is a better option. Also, I have never replaced a radiator but found some tutorials on VS and was wondering what else I would need besides anti-freeze.

My 850 is a 97 N/A with a manual transmission. Any advise will be greatly appreciated.

 

I'd go iPd or FCP. Just don't trust anyone's rads.

 

I have three Oreilly radiators. One in my Volvo, one in my Madza (uses a Volvo radiator too, did that before I owned one) and my chev PU. Haven't had any problems with my three.
They are the same quality you'd get at NAPA, AutoZone ... personally I hate the crimped plastic aluminum but unless you pay 300 400 bucks it's what you're going to get and it's what I have.

I haven't physically seen an IPD or FCP radiator but ..... people will swear by the same stuff other people will swear at. I would think they are at least as good but I'm not sure they are any better.
I like buying local, I like the lifetime warranty, I know if it does leak it's an easy exchange with the receipt and I have a face to get into if there's a problem.


Or, Rockautoparts.com
$103.00 + shipping
More Information for SPECTRA PREMIUM CU1851

 

I like buying from iPd, FCP and any other supplier that supports us as Volvo owners. I also like the security of knowing that if a part is being manufactured improperly, it will likely be caught before I buy one from them. My guess is that they sell rads, water pumps, etc. every day for these cars. If a manufacturer makes a mistake, the part will likely hit someone else before me if I'm buying from a place that sells them daily. If I went to my local O'Reiley's and got a rad, the part may have been sitting in the shop for months or years before I got my hands on it. If it was made to filter coolant into my tranny, I'm going to know real quick. I think FCP or iPd would be more sensitive to my problems with a part than O'Reiley's would. I could be wrong, just my guess.

Also, I can get OEM parts and better parts from iPd because they take an interest in "bettering the breed" per say. I appreciate that and like to reward them with my business when I can.

 

Hi. I had to do my radiator in a BIG hurry. Local NAPA had it in stock, about $130 and I think it's lifetime. Safe bet in a 16 y/o car. Part fit OK, had to cut one side tab, but that thing goes in and out sooo easy from the bottom. Minimal work on top. Just lay the fan assy back on the motor. Same car but AT. I don't remember that much patience being used, and you can recover almost all the coolant. The biggest pita was the splash guard!