hello..I have an 01 outback with the 3.0 motor and an AUTO tranny...My radiator is slowly leaking where the top tank meets the finned part. I am thinking I will need a new one soon...so before it lets go for good can anyone recommend a brand to me...thanks in advance...Garth

hello..I have an 01 outback with the 3.0 motor and an AUTO tranny...My radiator is slowly leaking where the top tank meets the finned part. I am thinking I will need a new one soon...so before it lets go for good can anyone recommend a brand to me...thanks in advance...Garth

 

it's leaking from the rad, hose, or overflow tank?

 

are you sure you need a new one?

its leaking from where the plastic top tank meets the metal finned part...its like clamped together...

I went to a radiator repair shop, and was able to buy a new one from them much cheaper then Auto Zone or the other places I checked and it was a metal one. I would be sure and compare prices before buying as their was a big different in prices.

its leaking from where the plastic top tank meets the metal finned part...its like clamped together...

its leaking from where the plastic top tank meets the metal finned part...its like clamped together...

 

i'm not sure what you mean by "plastic top tank" unless you mean the overflow tank that hangs on the driverside of the radiator.

 

from just want you said, it doesn't sound like you need a rad. that little black hose that goes from the rad to the plastic tank is the only thing that connects the two.

 

if you could take a picture of where it's leaking, i'm sure that i or someone else would be able to determine what you're looking at as far a rapairs go.

i'm not sure what you mean by "plastic top tank" unless you mean the overflow tank that hangs on the driverside of the radiator.[...]

A car radiator is comprised of a central core (flattened tubes with fins attached) connected to an inlet tank at one end and an outlet tank at the other. Many modern radiators have plastic tanks, rather than the brass ones previously used, and often have aluminum cores. When brass was used (often with copper cores), the tanks were soldered to the core. Plastic tanks are typically crimped to the core, with a gasket of some type between them. (A car with auto trans often has a trans cooler, usually in the outlet tank, as well.)

A car radiator is comprised of a central core (flattened tubes with fins attached) connected to an inlet tank at one end and an outlet tank at the other. Many modern radiators have plastic tanks, rather than the brass ones previously used, and often have aluminum cores. When brass was used (often with copper cores), the tanks were soldered to the core. Plastic tanks are typically crimped to the core, with a gasket of some type between them. (A car with auto trans often has a trans cooler, usually in the outlet tank, as well.)

 

But, in this case, THERE IS NO TOP TANK!

There are "side tanks", but no "top tank".

[...]But, in this case, THERE IS NO TOP TANK!

There are "side tanks", but no "top tank".

"But, in this case", you should consider the model/year; not all Subaru rads are side-flow.

 

All-metal aftermarket replacements are available on-line at reasonable price, but unfortunately determining brand/manufacturer is often difficult.

you should consider the model/year

 

Ok............

 

"I have an 01 outback with the 3.0 motor and an AUTO tranny"

 

I don't *think* it is much of a "leap of faith" to say that a 01 outback with the 3.0 motor, and an AUTO tranny wouldn't have a "top" tank, do you?

I had this kind of failure with the radiator in my '96 OBW a few months ago. The all-metal replacement that came from RadiatorBarn.com is well-made, fits properly, and has been very satisfactory. It was $153.64 delivered, which was a better price than I could find on an aluminum/plastic replacement. The only disadvantage is the extra weight.

yes, the issue between top and side is where it's confusing. i assume that "top" could be concidered the overflow.

[...]I don't *think* it is much of a "leap of faith" to say that a 01 outback with the 3.0 motor, and an AUTO tranny wouldn't have a "top" tank, do you?

I don't think "faith" has anything to do with the type of radiator. What makes you think the vehicle in question wouldn't have a top tank?

[...]THERE IS NO TOP TANK![...]

yes, the issue between top and side is where it's confusing. i assume that "top" could be concidered the overflow.

Maybe the pictures at the following two sites will clear up the confusion; they sure look like they have top (and bottom ) tanks:

http://market.autopartsfair.com/subaru-exterior_parts/catalog-item-23721.html

http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/sitesearch/details.php?p_id=subaruoutback20012004replacementp2465

Maybe the pictures at the following two sites will clear up the confusion; they sure look like they have top (and bottom ) tanks:

http://market.autopartsfair.com/subaru-exterior_parts/catalog-item-23721.html

http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/sitesearch/details.php?p_id=subaruoutback20012004replacementp2465

 

I wasn't argueing, i just wasn't sure what he meant (especially because my 99 and 96 legacies have side tanks)

 

 

______:burnout:

____:burnout:

I wasn't argueing, [...]

Okay -- I just wanted to help with your confusion (Reveeen seems certain, not confused ), so anyone reading the thread would know that not all Subaru models (even if a Legacy) have crossflow radiators.