Radiator Changes in MK2 2000-2007 D5

**mdmuddin** · Saturday 9th May 2015, 01:16

Hi,
I have an XC70 D5 185 6-speed Geartronic (MY2005 Nov).
I need a new set of radiators (main rad, intercooler and air-con condenser) due to a frontal collision.

I'm looking at the breakers so I was wondering if anyone can advise which models can be donors for my car?

Can, for example, can I take the pack from a 2003 V70 D5?

Any advice members can offer will be greatly appreciated. I'm a bit of a newbie and trying to save time (and not to mention money).
Thanks in advance

**T5RatherAmusin** · Saturday 9th May 2015, 08:10

the 2 main point youll need to make sure you get it from is from an auto and where the sesor is located on the outlet of the intercooler
also if your stealing from another d5 check it aint already blown pmsl

**LeeT5** · Saturday 9th May 2015, 10:53

If you want to guarantee the Condenser doesn't leak nor, in particular, the Intercooler, then I would strongly advise you avoid getting them from a breakers.
The coolant radiator is not such a problem as you can test it by filling with water and looking for any obvious signs of leaking...like dark residue or traces of dried coolant.
The IC and condenser are impossible to see if they are leaking unless you pressure test them.
A tiny pin hole is all it takes for the Air con to not work after 1 month of being filled. As for the IC, unless it's cracked on the plastic sides then you'll not know until it's fitted and that is certainly NOT the way to do it.

My advice is to buy the genuine IC and buy a patent part condenser if you want to keep costs down. Second hand coolant Radiators should be ok.

It's a well known fact that Genuine IC's crack, especially on Diesels.

You're going to need a new alloy front bumper bar too!

**mdmuddin** · Saturday 9th May 2015, 15:42

Thanks a lot for the replies. Being a newbie, may I ask the following?

1: After the collision, the AC was still working okay. The front has now been taken off. The visible damage is on the coolant radiator at the front and that's where the coolant leaked out from. There's a gouge in the middle a couple of inches from the bottom. Based on that, would it be safe to take the risk on the AC condenser and re-install it, or should I go for a patent? I guess worst case scenario would be not having AC for a while and then having to undo the whole lot to change it? Any other expenses I need to keep in mind?

2: As for the intercooler, I’ve located these patent one on eBay with 2-year warranties. One has the sensor and one doesn’t. I’ll check mine (Car’s parked 15 miles away atm) to see what mine is like. Do these look okay?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VOLVO-S60-...item3f398f104a
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VOLVO-S60-...48616778&rt=nc

The Volvo ones are very steep and considering they are known to go as well, I’m thinking to go patent, especially seeing that I am a light vehicle user. What do you guys think?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Volvo-Genu...item5b06acdc95

3: I’ll try the breakers for the coolant radiator then. However, I from all the searching I did through eBay listings, I couldn’t find any differentiation between petrol and diesel or auto and manual. The transmission doesn’t even come up as an option on all the searches and the radiators that do come up claim to fit the petrol and diesel variants. Do you think it is safe to go with that and check the pic’s and measurements to make sure it looks the same?
For example, this listing claims to fit a very broad range of models, including mine:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BOLK-BOL-C...item4865c7a5bd
My logic is saying I should then be able to take it off a 2003 Manual D5. I’m getting one of them in good nick for a good price, that’s why I am keen.

4: Why do you say I have to change the alloy bar?

Thanks again for your precious time.

**T5RatherAmusin** · Saturday 9th May 2015, 15:57

regarding the auto- it also cools the gearbox...
some rads will be able to fit both as will have the extra connections...
ye go cheap ic the oe ones aint worth it. 2nd hand condensors are a bit hit n miss tbh

**LeeT5** · Monday 11th May 2015, 08:51

Originally Posted by mdmuddin

Thanks a lot for the replies. Being a newbie, may I ask the following?

1: After the collision, the AC was still working okay. The front has now been taken off. The visible damage is on the coolant radiator at the front and that's where the coolant leaked out from. There's a gouge in the middle a couple of inches from the bottom. Based on that, would it be safe to take the risk on the AC condenser and re-install it, or should I go for a patent? I guess worst case scenario would be not having AC for a while and then having to undo the whole lot to change it? Any other expenses I need to keep in mind?

2: As for the intercooler, I’ve located these patent one on eBay with 2-year warranties. One has the sensor and one doesn’t. I’ll check mine (Car’s parked 15 miles away atm) to see what mine is like. Do these look okay?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VOLVO-S60-...item3f398f104a
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VOLVO-S60-...48616778&rt=nc

The Volvo ones are very steep and considering they are known to go as well, I’m thinking to go patent, especially seeing that I am a light vehicle user. What do you guys think?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Volvo-Genu...item5b06acdc95

3: I’ll try the breakers for the coolant radiator then. However, I from all the searching I did through eBay listings, I couldn’t find any differentiation between petrol and diesel or auto and manual. The transmission doesn’t even come up as an option on all the searches and the radiators that do come up claim to fit the petrol and diesel variants. Do you think it is safe to go with that and check the pic’s and measurements to make sure it looks the same?
For example, this listing claims to fit a very broad range of models, including mine:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BOLK-BOL-C...item4865c7a5bd
My logic is saying I should then be able to take it off a 2003 Manual D5. I’m getting one of them in good nick for a good price, that’s why I am keen.

4: Why do you say I have to change the alloy bar?

Thanks again for your precious time.

The only way to be certain, once the Rad pack is removed leaving the air con condenser on the car, is to inspect the condenser. If there is any damage, no matter how minor, or the condenser is bent at all, then it really isn't worth the risk of rebuilding and finding it leaks after a month or so.
What made me laugh in both those eBay ads you posted for the IC is the fact it says...and I quote....Brand New, Excellent Quality, yet they're only charging £59 and £79!! By the time you remove the company's profit on each part and the manufacturing costs, you're not left with very much at all. Like everything in life....you get what you pay for!

IIRC, when I removed my IC, there was a label saying VALEO. Now we all know VALEO are a reputable company and have been trading a very long time. Now I know a genuine IC has been marked up but they are made by VALEO. £240 for the stock IC is very good because they cost £280 from the dealer!

The other thing to note is the company's name on eBay is coolpartsUK, yet if you Google their address you can clearly see it is, or was ADVANCED RADIATORS LIMITED. See link: http://www.companieslist.co.uk/01642...iators-limited
Looking at the premises on Google, one can clearly see they don't make the radiators, meaning that at the prices they are knocking them out at on eBay, would suggest they are cheap chinese crap radiators!! and these guys are simply an outlet!

I personally don't think you're doing yourself any favours by fitting this crap, especially if you plan on keeping the car. They are known to not last very long, they rot very quickly and not only that, they're performance is woeful. No point fitting if it's not going to do the job it's intended for...ie Cooling air!
As in most cases, fitting the cheapest ain't always the best solution.

Regarding the alloy bumper bar, I do not know the extent of the front end damage, so assumed you would need to replace the bumper bar too? What did you hit?