I have been reading the horror stories about the trans cooler breaking and mixing with the radiator fluid . My question is how can I tell if my radiator is original ? Anyone have pics? I'm just about to change it, but want to make sure that I'm not doing this for nothing when in fact it might have been changed already. I bought this car used. Any sure shot way of telling if it's been changed?

 

I changed my radiator last year because a piece went out on it and to tell you the true i couldn't tell the difference between the new one and the one in the car except for the obvious signs of age. you could start by looking and seeing if the one in the car has signs of wear from sitting in your car. Or if the old radiator isn't broken then why replace it? The new one's are $110 at advance

 

The reason I need to know is because it's only happening with the original radiators. Research it and read the posts you will see how bad this is. I'm surprised a class action suit hasn't been bought against dodge or a recall.

 

Perhaps it's only happening with the original radiators because most people who have replaced them at higher miles may not have driven enough to experience the same problem. I wouldn't assume that any radiator besides the OEM one will cure the problem unless you are sure they are not designed the same way.

A trans cooler is cheaper than a new radiator either way.

 

Ok I understand now , I thought that it was a design flaw with the original radiator. I do know that my radiator has the bolts going into it not like my old 98 that had the clips. How to know if I have the right one? I can't afford a transmission and radiator not the mention that it's the only car we have and my wife needs it to go to work. Thanks for any help you can give to clear this up .

 

How do you make sure you have the right....what, exactly?

 

If it's the original radiator or now? Anyway to tell? I'm talking about the bottom trans cooler and how the 98 had the clips on the hose holding it on. This one I have now has bolts.

 

There's probably an OEM sticker on it somewhere, or an OEM part number. You'd have to pull it if those aren't on top and look around.

 

When I replaced my radiator, the original one had what amounted to a nipple that threaded into the cooler inside the radiator from the outside and sandwiched the tank between the cooler and nipple. The replacement radiator had the nipple as part of the cooler and a nut on the outside of the radiator tank. The factory unit only had a couple of threads screwed in- not a very high quality piece.

 

I took a picture please let me know if this is the one. Thank you.