1992 Volvo 940 radiator and upper radiator hose

RONNIEBOBBLE

MEMBER
1992 VOLVO 940
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
19,500 MILES

My 1992 volvo 940 turbo has gone thru 4 radiators in the past six months, granted that all the replacement radiators have been from the volvo recycle yard; they all looked to be in good condition with none of the tell-tell signs of any type of leakage. So my problem is, sometimes as soon as two weeks after the install of the recyled radiator, the upper radiator hose begins to leak at the clamp/hose connection to the radiator. First slowly with the cooling fan running extra long. Then the old familiar smell of fresh coolant in the air comes- soon followed by steam/leak at the upper radiator to radiator hose connection. After I inspect it I see that the radiator connections from the radiator to the hoses are made in plastic and that the extended portion of the radiator has cracked off right at the hose/clamp area ( the part that is made of plastic. Because of the lacation of the cracked broken radiator there is no other choice but to replace the entire radiator. Can anyone tell me why this is happening and how I can remedy the situation?

1 Reply

MHPAUTOS

MECHANIC
31,937 POSTS

HI there,

this is basically a case of all the radiators being old and brittle, also the plastic will deteriorate if they are stored out side the UV will affect them, I know a new radiator will be expensive, but it is the only real way to ensure that you don't get this problem happening time and time again, you nay be lucky if you persist with second hand units, but I doubt it.

Mark (mhpautos)