replacing radiator, what else should I consider?

[DOMESTICated]

Hey all, So the radiator in my 2000 SSEi is leaking, from the top hose conection. Hose is new. I cant see it but theres got to be a crack in the bottom of the hose conection. I toyed with just getting it fixed, but with 230k on the car, I figgured I may as well put a new radiator in. I recently had the water pump go out, and had that replaced. If Im going to replace the radiator, while its out, is there anything else I should consider looking to replace? I was told by the parts guy that there are elbows in the cooling system that are plastic, that I should replace with the metal ones availible.

[Luxrain]

yes there are coolant elbows that run through the belt tensioner that like to get soft and leak coolant, since you already have the antifreeze out its good to replace them since the part is like 10 bucks

[nos4blood70]

In addition to the elbows, you could also replace the thermostat. All good stuff to do while you have the system open.

[MKMike]

And the lower radiator hose and the heater hoses.

[DOMESTICated]

Well, it was not a fun project but got the radiator replaced, new hoses, metal elbows, thermostat, new belts, since the alternator was off to get to the elbows, and put in the ABS module I got from Haro freak. For the first time since Ive owned it, the silver slug has NO dummy lights lit on the dash! Lol.

[redzmonte]

Nice! I did a radiator in mine.. also did intake gaskets, elbows, lower intake and Gen V Blower it turned into a fun project.

S