Radiator 205 td

[xsaras4ever]

I have not been successful in repairing the radiator of my 205 td.

The price of new ones are crazy.
The original rad is 55mm thick.
I can buy an aluminium rad at a great price but it is 42mm thick, whereas an alu one of 55mm runs to 300€ plus

Would the fact that it is alu and new maybe mitigate against the fact that it is slimmer ?

[mickthemaverick]

How does this sound for a theory?: A slimmer radiator will hold less coolant, therefore the system has less coolant, so each ml of the coolant will be circulated more often through the radiator and therefore get more cooling so it should be OK I'd think!!

[PaulC5]

If you could get the part number for your car see if Peugeot have updated the radiator to a thinner one

Alternative thoughts, the slimmer radiator will have a coolant higher pressure drop so the pump will provide a lower flow rate so less heat removal. The surface area of the thinner one will be less so also less heat removal. You could try the lower cost one and if the car overheats then buy the original size but then you will have paid twice.

When considering different metals you would need to compare the thermal conductivities. If the original is copper this has a higher value than aluminium at 401 vs 237 W/mK so according to AI copper transfers heat 60% to 70% faster than aluminium.

With the current high temperatures in France you should get the biggest radiator you can.

[Huskyxantia]

Micks theory is correct 42mm full-aluminium radiator will comfortably perform as well as (and likely out-perform) the original 55mm unit.
​While losing 13mm in core thickness might seem like a downgrade, the thermal efficiency gains from modern material and design easily bridge the gap.

[CitroJim]

I'm sure AutoDoc will have something. Quite recently I bought a perfectly adequate-looking AX radiator from them.

And agreed with Mick and Husky's confirmation. In fact, both my AXs have small aluminium rads and they work perfectly, even in our current Mediterranean climate...

[xsaras4ever]

Hello to all and thanks for the replies.
The cheapest Autodoc, MisterAuto etc is €382 ouch.....
On Aliexpress I can get one for €110 (for a GTI).
2 differences.

1.) It is 42mm instead of 56mm
2.) The return spigot to the expansion tank points sideways towards the wing instead of towards the windscreen and in the 205td, space is tight.

I have found a 55mm one on eBay and have negotiated it down to €260 but it won't arrive until the end of September. Its made in China but I cannot find it myself on Aliexpress to try to cut out some of the middlemen.
In regards to Aliexpress, I have used them for 7 years, 100s of transactions, no problems.

In terms of the size of the rad, who am I to disagree with PSA, but I feel that Peugeot over-radded this car coz Valeo already had this rad in their parts bin.

Granted its a direct turbo without any intercooler, but I have driven this car very hard at times over the years and it never gets anywhere near hot and the fans rarely cut in. You could say the rad is doing it's job but I think it is never going anywhere close to its limits.

Having said all that (phew), I have 15 hours to accept the eBay offer and as I am going to sell the car later this year, a correct size new alu radiator is a plus point and I am sure I have other jobs to keep me busy until it would arrive.

[PaulC5]

There are companies that repair radiators, have you looked into that ?

[xsaras4ever]

Yes, no change out of €220 in my neck of the woods