When to replace radiators?

[RooflessVW]

I would remove the radiator to do a complete cleaning and evaluation. I wouldn't have a problem reinstalling it for continued service if it looks decent after cleaniing it..It's not leaking or having any issues, save your $500.
That radiator is probably better in quality than the aftermarkets and you might want to have it looked at by a radiator shop if its that bad or get a new one.

I would not remove a radiator that was questionable and not replace it.

Based only on external condition, I would replace a radiator if it is leaking or if the fins are separating from the channels en masse.

Otherwise clean it as best as you can without removal. Maybe use a fin comb.

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

Let me try to understand.
You don't want to take of the bumper to clean but want to replace the radiator?
You probably need to take off the bumper to replace it?
So, IMO, take of the bumper and clean the radiator, it is part of the maintenance anway.
Otherwise, get a car with easier access to radiator to clean it.

It's not the primary radiator. It's the oil cooler and aux coolant radiator (see example below). See the pic of a car above for their location.

 

[Chris142]

Japanese OEM seem to go 200k+

We included all makes and models. Japanese fared no better.

 

[supton]

Car on stands and then remove both front wheels and remove front section of the wheel well liner

They're located at the bottom left and bottom right air scoops. Oil cooler is on the passenger side and aux coolant radiator on the driver side.

Sounds like an easy job then? No risk in removing, straightening fins, reinstalling--and redoing at some later date, then.

 

[supton]

We included all makes and models. Japanese fared no better.

Due to heat in your area? which doesn't make sense, the ambient temp ain't over boiling. No idea why, although you'd only see the radiators that fail. I mean, no one comes in and says "my radiator is fine, please do nothing" right?

 

[avacado11]

When it starts leaking or over heating, or wait until you’re due for a coolant change. No point in wasting perfectly good coolant and going through the whole bleeding process just to change a radiator

 

[chrlsful]

after a multi-point entire coolant system check. When it is IDed as a/theculprit, after the system pucks out coolant due to near over heat (not a guage or idiot light).

There are abt a doz things U can wrk with to effect running temps. The big one - proper tune.
Here's the areas:

• leaks in system; air in system
• correct shroud (fan 1/2 in/1/2 out unless 'flex', that = 3/4 in)
• coolant - mix, additives, age, cleanliness;
• water pump - operation, condition; cavitation;
• heater core - leaks, condition, it’s fan on/off;
• block - water passages;
• hoses - collapse, leaks;
• thermostat - condition, temp rating;
• radiator (sz, # rows, clean?, construction, materials - I like ol style copper)
• radiator cap - pressure rating, condition, design;
• fan (blades, design, clutch)
• flush system last yr. or 2?

 

[2strokeNorthstar]

We included all makes and models. Japanese fared no better.

That’s odd. Every Japanese car I have had lasted at least 200k

 

[zmelli]

I detailed my car this past weekend and noticed that my oil and aux radiator are both looking the worse for wear. After 7 years and 63k of mostly highway /intra-urban hwy miles they've taken a beating. They're full of pebbles and small pieces of debris which have wedged themselves within the vanes. Without taking off the bumper I can't really clean them other than using a wand to vacuum leaves and large pieces.

Q: At what point would you just replace them? Both would run me about $500 total.

If you have the Money, spend it for repairs before inflation doubles the price of the parts that you need. It least set the parts aside for the Future.

 

[CBR.worm]

I don't have any advice for your specific car. On our E60, I replaced the radiator before any issues at ~ 8 years & 120K miles, along with the water pump and many hoses. I just replaced the OEM radiator on my '06 Infiniti G35 @200K miles because I had to remove it to get space to get the timing cover off and not lose my fingers. Hopefully, the replacement will last half as long - which will be far longer than I will need. Probably.