Radiator leak

I've got a leak, a tiny leak from the top of my radiator. It's just left of center where some wording is raised. In the crease between where the raised wording is and the rest of the radiator, on the front, is where some antifreeze is bubbling out.

Any idea if I can fix this without getting a new radiator?

any ideas and input in appreciated.
thanks !

Originally Posted by rox

I've got a leak, a tiny leak from the top of my radiator. It's just left of center where some wording is raised. In the crease between where the raised wording is and the rest of the radiator, on the front, is where some antifreeze is bubbling out.

Any idea if I can fix this without getting a new radiator?

any ideas and input in appreciated.
thanks !

Unfortunately it will be a much more reliable fix to just replace it. We've seen tons of the plastic end tanks get leaks over the years on e they hit a certain age/mileage they start to leak. A replacement isn't terribly expensive and a good time to also replace the coolant and upper/lower rad hoses.


-Mike Paisan


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Call directly as We carry almost every manufacturer now, so before you buy parts call us.
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Rockauto.com has replacement radiators for $120, made by Koyo, with a lifetime warranty. Like Mike said...It is a good time to replace the coolant and hoses.

rockauto.com doesn't seem to carry the Koyo radiator mentioned above, I too am looking to replace my rad here in the next couple days and my local dealer wants 200$ desperately looking for a reliable internet deal.

Also can someone explain the difference between the radiators for manual and auto trans?
I was under the impression there wasn't one until recently.

Automatics have the ATF Cooler integrated into the radiator. Manuals do not have fluid that is circulated anywhere and therefore don't have a cooler built into the radiator.

We can get the all aluminum Koyo or Mishimoto radiators but $200 for an OEM one is not a bad deal at all. I doubt you will find one online for much less than that.

-Mike Paisan

AZP's First Private Track Event, June 19 at NJMP Thunderbolt $315 including Classroom and Mentor!

11+ Years Maintaining, Modifying and Educating TriState Subaru Enthusiasts.
Call directly as We carry almost every manufacturer now, so before you buy parts call us.
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I had to order the "09 WRX" radiator to get the manual option.

TYC Part # 13091. It says TYC, but it is a Koyo radiator and comes in a Koyo box. It is $103.79 at Rockauto. It is absolutely identical to the factory radiator with a lifetime warranty.

Thanks for the info Mike.

KCwagon I thank you even more for the info, I'll be ordering one of those 09 wrx radiators today. I'm assuming the one you ordered went into your GT without any need to modify it?

Originally Posted by maineSubi

Thanks for the info Mike.

KCwagon I thank you even more for the info, I'll be ordering one of those 09 wrx radiators today. I'm assuming the one you ordered went into your GT without any need to modify it?

It is absolutely identical to the factory LGT radiator. Also, if it ever leaks, Rockauto will replace it free of charge.

Originally Posted by KCwagon

It is absolutely identical to the factory LGT radiator. Also, if it ever leaks, Rockauto will replace it free of charge.

Yeah that's great if you don't need to drive your car for a week. You generally get what you pay for. As for being identical, I call shenanigans, unless you cut it open and checked the interior as well as did some metallurgy on the metal you can't say it is identical to the factory LGT radiator.

-Mike Paisan

AZP's First Private Track Event, June 19 at NJMP Thunderbolt $315 including Classroom and Mentor!

11+ Years Maintaining, Modifying and Educating TriState Subaru Enthusiasts.
Call directly as We carry almost every manufacturer now, so before you buy parts call us.
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I guess we need a volunteer to cut open their radiator to "do metallurgy" on it .

What I am saying is that not all metal is the same in all radiators. It is a fairly well known fact that chinese knockoff parts have less rows of fins inside the radiators and the aluminum used is not the same spec as OEM. So what I'm saying is unless you cut it open and made sure it had the same number of fins or rows of fins and the metal is tested, you can't say it's "exactly the same as OEM".

-Mike Paisan

AZP's First Private Track Event, June 19 at NJMP Thunderbolt $315 including Classroom and Mentor!

11+ Years Maintaining, Modifying and Educating TriState Subaru Enthusiasts.
Call directly as We carry almost every manufacturer now, so before you buy parts call us.
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Originally Posted by AZP Installs

What I am saying is that not all metal is the same in all radiators. It is a fairly well known fact that chinese knockoff parts have less rows of fins inside the radiators and the aluminum used is not the same spec as OEM. So what I'm saying is unless you cut it open and made sure it had the same number of fins or rows of fins and the metal is tested, you can't say it's "exactly the same as OEM".

-Mike Paisan

AZP's First Private Track Event, June 19 at NJMP Thunderbolt $315 including Classroom and Mentor!

11+ Years Maintaining, Modifying and Educating TriState Subaru Enthusiasts.
Call directly as We carry almost every manufacturer now, so before you buy parts call us.
Like us on Facebook! | E-mail: sales@azpinstalls.com | 725 Fairfield Ave | Kenilworth, NJ 07033 | 908.248.AZP1 (2971) | T-1 Certified Amsoil Direct Jobber |AIM: AZP Installs
"Race Tested, Enthusiast Approved!"

You're absolutely right. I guess I should rephrase my statement to say that : It looked identical, The fitment was pefect and I have used mine w/o issue for several thousand miles. It was also comforting too, that Koyo was the manufacturer.