Hey Lads,

My plastic radiator end cap has a split and is leaking. Looking for a new radiator and I keep seeing Nissens but they have variety pack of part numbers.
Since I have the 4.2L, 2003 model, I wanted to make sure I am getting the right replacement and also looking at options.
Dual rows would be nice but I see the price jumps pretty quickly when you get outside of the standard layout. Nevertheless, what has been a successful brand / model for the 2003 4.2L?

 

I got a Nissens a while back. It was advertised as suitable for the 4.2L (the transmission fittings are different from the earlier 4.0), but it was an otherwise a pretty crappy part. The shroud did not really fit the contour of the new radiator anymore, and the rubber bumpers became useless. These bumpers help the fans channel the air from the back of the radiator to the front of the condenser, helping cooling. On top of it, there is an early 4.0 bleed line on the left side end tank that is left open and yours to figure out how to plug up. I was never sure if all these Nissens radiators made for the 4.2L fit this poorly, or if mine was some returned 4.0L item hacked together with the proper transmission line fittings (which are available separately). Only the price was right. Replacing a radiator is already a no-fun zone as it is, but having to deal with an ill-fitting part on top of it just multiplies the pain. If you end up going with a Nissens radiator after all, just open the box and double check everything before the return window expires.

FWIW, there are special tools and new end tanks available out there for fairly cheap, as the core is typically OK. Timeline did not work our for me, though.

Speaking in general, there are also radiator repair services out there if you can afford the downtime.

Last option is to look into plastic welding. Harbor Freight has a couple of these special plastic irons and supply rods. Not in my skill set, though...

 

Would recommend that you stay away from plastic welding products as the entire plastic portion has deteriorated to the point of brittle. this is what i found with mine.

my experience with the Nissens radiator was different. it was very well made and fit perfectly. it had two rows like the original and the fittings for the Merc box with adapters for the earlier cars like mine which fit very well. everything bolted on perfectly and it was a rather fun job. found out that Nissens was an OEM supplier to Jaguar. BTW the rubber mounts go on a certain way, look before you remove them or else it will be a loose installation.

this is also a good time to spray some rustproofing inside the lower center radiator support and the forward frame rail goose-necks.

I recommend not rebuilding your old unit as there is no way to tell if the core is perfect, chances are not, and the cost is the same for a complete replacement.

 

this is the seller: https://www.ebay.com/str/qepartsaccessories

this is the actual part: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Jaguar-XK8-...F/191780326214

 

You need to double check. These radiators are advertised as fitting the entire range, but I believe the transmission oil cooler fittings changed between the 5HP24 and the later 6HP26. Check Rockauto, read the descriptions, read the schematics, and check your own car to be sure. There is a NISSENS 66700 that fits my 2003 XK8, but it looks like you need NISSENS 66701 with the male fittings.

 

I replaced my 4.0 radiator with a Nissens and there were a few issues. The Nissens lacked the "rails' to mount the weather stripping to seal the engine compartment. If you look at a Hella radiator I think it may be closer to the OEM radiator. My Nissen works well and I actually don't miss the total sealing of the engine compartment as getting any more cool air in there is a blessing. By the way Rock Auto carries the Hella.

 

My replacement radiator from Rock Auto was fine but the small hose nipple blocked off on original wasn't on the replacement. I had a mess when filling mine. Check it.