I replaced my radiator back in Sept. and now it is leaking from the top flange where the hose connects. I ordered another Radiator(Covered under warranty) from Rock Auto.

Installed the radiator today and this new one leaks in the exact same place. There is an o-ring on the flange that is bolted to the plastic tank. That's where it is leaking.

What brand radiator is everyone using? My OEM radiator lasted 12 years(2004).
Nissens, Behr, OEM,????

I need to try something else.

Thanks!

 

We install the Behr unit on near every car we see, the cheapo parts from RockAuto and others are, well.. Cheap, we have used the Nissens on a couple of cars that the customer was wanting something a bit more price effective, but that's about as cheap as we'll even offer to our customers.

I should actually have one or two Behr radiators on the shelf ready to go if you are unable to get a credit towards it with RockAuto.

 

So the aftermarket has a plastic flange that bolts to main part of the radiator?

Have you tried some barsleak or black pepper?

 

This is a brand new radiator covered under warranty.

 

Mini Cooper S Full Aluminum 2-Row Racing Radiator - R52 R53





Mini Cooper S Full Aluminum 2-Row Racing Radiator

• Made of High Quality Full T-6061 Aluminum Construction
• Stronger & Higher Capacity for Coolant than Stock Units / Light Weight Direct Bolt-On OEM Fitment or Replacement
• High Performance 2-Row Racing Design / Improves Cooling by 35 - 45% Temp.
• Overall Dimension: 28.25 x 16.75 x 2 / Core Dimension: 22.75 x 15.25 x 1.625 / Inlet: 1.25" / Outlet: 1.25"
• Application: Please Check Part Finder On Top of The Page (Professional Installer is Highly Recommended No Instruction Included

This is the one I use. All aluminum and cools great in hot zones. The plastic capped OEM raiators always leak in the end!

 

We've actually seen more of the Mishimoto & knock off aluminum radiators leaking on the G1 cars vs the stock units.

The stock radiator cools just fine for 98% of people out there. If the part is a MINI unit it has a 2 year warranty via the dealer, I would take it to them and have them replace it for free. That is if it is an OE unit from Rockauto..

 

I have a CSF radiator and it's been great and looks beautiful

 

Just put a Mishimoto in mine. If I didn't live in Phoenix I'd have went with stock but I wanted that extra cooling for the summer months. FYI the Mishimoto isn't exactly a direct swap. It MOSTLY fit but because it's a bit thicker I had to do some trimming on the plastic MFE for it to fit like it should. Not a huge deal but it took some trial and error to get it right.

 

Check this on Amazon - while Mishimoto had stood behind its guarantee I've had two leakers within short periods of time. I'm going on my third and it won't be Mishimoto.

 

AT 160,000 miles I'm on my 5th or 6th radiator. Currently I'm running a Canadian version of an OE radiator. Hope it lasts!