106 1.5d Radiator and Tyres question

mgoodlad · Unread post by **mgoodlad** » 04 May 2004, 14:33

Hi - car is a 1996 1.5d 106 with 88,000 miles. Just noticed this weekend after a longish run (30 miles) the bottom of my radiator is still stone cold. Not sure how long it has been like this - I only did it after a 1 mile journey to see if the thermostat had opened and it was like that so tried it again after a longer run. When I bought the car 7 months ago the coolant was looking old so drained and refilled and also replaced the thermostat and expansion cap at the same time. I did notice the radiator has a slight bend in the middle - possible accident damage, but its very little. It doesn't leak and the car has driven perfectly (in that respect) since I got it, and shows no signs of overheating. I guess I should replace the radiator asap? The bottom hose is fairly cool so surely the coolant can't be circulating through half the engine?
Second question - the car came with badly kerbed spare wheel- went to a breakers yard to look for another and they had 2 with nearly new tyres from a 106 with the correct 4 hole pattern which I bought. But they were 165/13s and my existing ones were 155/13. They both are now on the front - I understand it is legal as long as you keep axles matched. Handling is virtually identical - slightly more grip which is an improvement. The question is when I have worn them out can I put 155s on those rims? They are 5.00 x 13 - my existing wheels are so rusty I cannot read the numbers. Also let me know if you think I have turned the car hugely unsafe please! Maybe better having the wider ones on the rear?
Regards
Michael
1996 106 1.5d 88k miles
1996 306 TD 68k miles

JohnD · Unread post by **JohnD** » 05 May 2004, 23:25

I wouldn't worry too much about the bottom of the rad being cold. I felt my Saxo 1.5D's rad after a ten mile run plus several minutes of ticking over, and it also was cold.

woodhead722 · Unread post by **woodhead722** » 06 May 2004, 03:37

Axles do need to be matched, but on our 205 the wider ones are on the rear, which is what I was told to do.
Seek advice, I could be wrong!

arry_b · Unread post by **arry_b** » 06 May 2004, 14:52

Best tyres on the back!
On the limit cornering, where one set of tyres is about to lose traction is where you'll see the difference.
If the front lets go, the car runs wide but is usually recoverable.
If the back lets go, the car spins off backwards into the scenery.