Radiator - all the same?

RugbyPete · Post by **RugbyPete** » 25 Feb 2008, 19:01

Will a xantia petrol radiator fit a 1.9td?

Thanks

deian · Post by **deian** » 25 Feb 2008, 19:07

Personally I would say yes, if the physical dimension are correct. In saying that... remember that a petrol engine will generate more heat compared to a diesel engine, so the radiator might be bigger (in size and cooling output), so if the cooling output is more, then the diesel engine might never warm up sufficiently to run at optimum efficiency. Although in this case the thermostat would be the judge of that.

So thats a yes from me, after all the scientific hoo ha contradictory pro's and con's.

RugbyPete · Post by **RugbyPete** » 25 Feb 2008, 19:10

ook, so what about the fixtures, will it physically snap in to place? Or would i need to use cable ties

P.s
Thanks for the lightening response

citroen7 · Post by **citroen7** » 25 Feb 2008, 19:14

well if they are the same why are diesel rads more expensive?also there are different fittings during the change over from mk1 to mk2

Post by **CitroJim** » 25 Feb 2008, 19:25

citroen7 wrote:well if they are the same why are diesel rads more expensive?also there are different fittings during the change over from mk1 to mk2

Generally a diesel rad has more cooling capacity, hence the greater cost.

Early rads have spigot hose connectors (i.e. hoses held on by conventional clips) whereas from about '97 on the bayonet hose connectors were introduced. You could use an earlier rad on a later car and vice versa by swapping top and bottom hoses.

I'm not sure about compatibility of rads between models but I would have thought the 1.9TD rad would fit most. It has mountings at the rear for the intercooler but on a petrol one this would not be an issue.

The only sure compatible items I know are that the 2.1TD and Activa share the same rad, amongst many other items.

It was always thought of as a good cheap cooling upgrade to use a diesel rad on a similar petrol car. A popular thing to do on a Pug 205.

THELABMAN · Post by **THELABMAN** » 26 Feb 2008, 19:52

I'm not sure about petrol/diesel compatability but the place I got the radiator fitted into my 1.9TD sensation last year said that there are three different rads for the 1.9TD coming in slightly different witdh and height and with or without aircon.

DickieG · Post by **DickieG** » 26 Feb 2008, 20:57

Xantia rads vary quite a lot, my V6 has both hoses alongside each other, the Activa uses spring clips, the TD has conventional clips, a 1.8 16v has an attached header tank and that's just to start with

Post by **Peter.N.** » 28 Feb 2008, 00:49

Although the diesel is more thermally efficient than the petrol driven sensibly, if a diesel is thrashed it starts to run very inefficiently and produces more heat than a petrol engine. Hence the precautionary need for a larger radiator.