Best Radiator aftermarket

[Flynbrd]

looks like there are a few generic brand radiator manufactures out there, so which one works best for a Gen II ls? I'm looking forward to replacing my waterpump (which water pump manufacture should I go with.?) , thermostat housing, etc cooling stuff. I want the car to survive stop and go 110 degree weather.

 

[joegr]

I'm not sure about the radiator, but I'd go with Motorcraft for the water pump. What's wrong with your water pump? (Failure seems pretty rare.)

 

[fudge12]

I'd trust AcDelco parts, but I got stuck with a TYC branded radiator. It works and does its job fairly well for the past year however.

 

[Flynbrd]

I'm not sure about the radiator, but I'd go with Motorcraft for the water pump. What's wrong with your water pump? (Failure seems pretty rare.)

Just dealing with the insanity of chasing a heating issue. As in my previous post the car was running hot, after the dealership they believed it was the thermostat. After the thermostat was change the car did run with the needle at the middle. (guess normal) However yesterday I left the wife and son in the car to run a quick errand. When I got back in the car 5 minutes later the tempature gauge was nearly at the top with the temp light on!. (its was 99 outside and the car was running the a/c) I turned the car off for a few minutes then took the chance and headed home.(only a 5 minute drive home on side streets) On the way home the car slowly cooled down to normal. I'm under the impression that the higher rpm spinning the pump got the car to cool down. (Just a theory) I've been told that pump has plastic impellers that could break off.

 

[joegr]

Generally (but not always), if the engine cools when moving down the road at a fair pace, but heats up when moving slowly or idling, it's a fan problem.
Beyond that, the plastic cooling system parts are the weak points. As long as the water pump isn't leaking, it shouldn't be your problem.

 

[Flynbrd]

Generally (but not always), if the engine cools when moving down the road at a fair pace, but heats up when moving slowly or idling, it's a fan problem.
Beyond that, the plastic cooling system parts are the weak points. As long as the water pump isn't leaking, it shouldn't be your problem.

I believe you are correct sir! When we first got the car you could really hear the fan motor on. I could tell the wife was home because the car sounded like it had a jet engine. Today it was running but so much quieter when it should be on high with the a/c on. Could it be wiring? fuse ? or motor going out?

 

[joegr]

Failure of the gen II fan is rare, but it does happen. Is the fan running at all? The fan should have 12V power and ground on the heavy two wires all the time (red/yellow and black/yellow). It should have +12V on the small green/yellow wire when the key is in the run position. The small white/black wire is the speed control signal from the PCM. If this wire is cut or shorted, the fan will go to full speed as a fail-safe.

 

[Gus_Mahn]

I don't know whats best, but my '03 has had one from Advance in it for roughly 4 years. No issues at all, and it was only about $120 with a coupon. I don't know the brand. I had to change the fan about 7 years ago, and it was about $375 wholesale. Both are kind of a pain to replace.