Need to replace mu P38 Radiator..any help with type

Hi all
I need to replace the radiator on my P Reg P38 1997, the top plastic housing has split open!!!
The radiator I can get which is brand new has the Air Con fittings attached to the bottom of the radiator, but my present ones does not have them, as the unit air con has its own small radiator just inside the front nearside bumper.
Can I still use it, but do i need to blank them off?
also the radiator looks longer than my old one, as I have not taken it out yet.
Can I still get this radiator without the extra Air Con connetions, every one of the after sales radiators seems to have them.
Any help and instructions would be helpful
Thanks

Hi,
I'm guessing from your post that you've got a diesel ? The two fittings at the bottom of the radiator are not aircon. They are the gearbox oil cooler for the manual gearbox. The auto version has an auxiliary cooler in the left hand wheel arch instead.

A lot of places seem to sell the manual radiator as a one size fits all these days. You can use it on an auto, just don't bother to connect anything to the bottom cooler spigots.

You won't need to blank them off as they are not directly connected to the radiator. It's just a seperate oil cooler within the radiator bottom tank.

i would be curious to find out what split the rad i would be checking for pressure in the water hoses as it could be headgaskett i split 2 rads in one month both of them across the tops due to headgaskett failure

Thanks for the help, Yes it is a 2.5 diesel, now I'm worried, I will have to get my head tested......the wife was right after all...as usual

anyone else on the reason why???

could be numerous reasons faulty expansion bottle cap,poor rad ,keep a close check on system ,ensure cap works (will let off excess pressure)

dont be doom and gloom its prob just burst, give joe at emmotts a ring he will have a good rad..

jamesmartin said:

could be numerous reasons faulty expansion bottle cap,poor rad ,keep a close check on system ,ensure cap works (will let off excess pressure)

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Cheers James, I thought for one moment that it was a goner, if the heads gone Its over, thanks m8

I find it difficult as I am use to the beloved Haynes manual, but not for this model.

quedash said:

Cheers James, I thought for one moment that it was a goner, if the heads gone Its over, thanks m8

I find it difficult as I am use to the beloved Haynes manual, but not for this model.

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Know exactly what you mean there.. Have you downloaded the Rave manual? Pm me if you haven't, I have & may be able to copy on cd for you.

quedash said:

Thanks for the help, Yes it is a 2.5 diesel, now I'm worried, I will have to get my head tested......the wife was right after all...as usual

anyone else on the reason why???

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Four reasons why the rad may have split, 1) plastic fatigue, i.e. just a natural failure. 2) viscous fan shot, test it. 3) water pump failed. 4) thermostat failed.
The fittings in the bottom have nothing to do with aircon.

CEZ1869 said:

Know exactly what you mean there.. Have you downloaded the Rave manual? Pm me if you haven't, I have & may be able to copy on cd for you.

Click to expand...

Cheers m8y
another member has sent me the site to download
cheers

Datatek said:

Four reasons why the rad may have split, 1) plastic fatigue, i.e. just a natural failure. 2) viscous fan shot, test it. 3) water pump failed. 4) thermostat failed.
The fittings in the bottom have nothing to do with aircon.

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The man has spoken....thank you I have done some checks just the therm to do, may just replace anyway, I think it is just the plastic fatigue as it is the original rad.
Thanks again...lots of rain here, no doubt you got your speedo's on and a chip butty in your hand...cheers m8y

quedash said:

The man has spoken....thank you I have done some checks just the therm to do, may just replace anyway, I think it is just the plastic fatigue as it is the original rad.
Thanks again...lots of rain here, no doubt you got your speedo's on and a chip butty in your hand...cheers m8y

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If you go for a new thermostat, check thet it opens fully before you fit it by putting it in a pan of boiling water. Check the viscous fan by shoving a rolled up newspaper into the blades with the engine hot ( mind your hands) if the fan stops the viscous is shot

hello quedash,did you manage to get away with your tin tent?havent heard from you for a while,i guess you got the eas sorted.