So, I want to change my radiator as I have recently backflushed and cleaned out everything, then put in a new water pump, changed both heater hoses, top, and bottom radiator hoses, cap, and thermostat and went to green. (Changed alternator also not that it matters here) There is some build up in the radiator. Can anyone link me to a good radiator? The one at advanced has some bad reviews.

2002 Blazer LS

Thanks in advance!

 

1800 radiator has absolutely top notch radiators i have been ordering them for customers for years and have never had a single problem. well ok that was a lie there was that one time a piece of rebar went through one.

 

Yeah that pesky rebar really isn't good for radiators.

Thanks, I will look into 1800! Thanks!

 

Is this the site you are talking about?

https://www.1800radiator.com/

I am looking more for a specific brand name that is known for longevity and quality. And where to buy them.

 

Spectra Premium CU1826 Complete Radiator for General Motors

I bought this one on amazon for $86. Doesn't have a drain, but those little drains take forever anyway. Just remove the lower hose to drain it. I've had it for a little over a year without a problem.

 

Spectra worked fine for me too. 2 years now from Summit Racing - was free shipping at the time with no tax. Came with new push-in cooler line fittings for my 2001.

To OP - nothing wrong with DexCool but if you want green then I think that's OK too as long as you don't mix them. Corrosion inhibitors just won't last as long with the green, and are expecially short life when Dex Cool and Green are mixed (I assume you had the crud). This is the real problem with running Dex-Cool. People tend to add cheap green to it and then blame the DexCool.

 

The last time I bought a new radiator was for my hot rod Mustang. I remember insisting on a 3 core. I ran 100% green Prestone. This, of course, was against most peoples advice. Running errands around town or long course street racing; the temp never gets above 180 [the thermostat) and I even swapped the factory clutch fan for an Electric IRoc fan. Cool as a cucumber - always.

*side note: the reduction of drag on the engine by switching to electric fan was negligible

 

Thanks, I am on my third Blazer now, and I know air is an enemy to dex-cool, I did backflush the system very well, but I still don't trust the left over residue in the radiator left behind from the dex-cool. It is not too bad, but like you said, I don't want them mixing together too long, even if it is just residual crap left stuck in the radiator. I do plan on doing a light flush and fill every fall, and it is cheap enough to do once a year for the peace of mind. I am not a big fan of dex-cool, but then again, I am not a fan of the factory intake manifold either. So I do not place blame on any one thing, I just have my own preference. I will go for the Spectra! Thanks, everyone!

 

Amen to that!
I flushed mine with water running (engine spinning) released it twice and drove around with just city water for a few days with Heat on. Heater is clogged up so I gave up on that. After all, I'm in south FL. Then onto 100% Prestone.

 

Yeah, I read a blub some time back that the organic acids in the DexCool that replace the silicates in the green don't like air in your hot cooling system and can degrade into the crud. So gotta keep that coolant reservoir level where it should be. I suppose that mixing them doesn't work because the corrosion inhibitors are completely different and not complementary - each requiring a a minimum level in order to last a certain length of time. That's just a guess.

On the other hand, I have a 2006 Pontiac that I bought new that uses DexCool. I should have replaced it by now (10 years), but have always kept the tank level where it should be and only added Dexcool premix to the system a couple of times (no tap water). So far the coolant still looks like new. But I should definitely change it this year.