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Radiator query

3K views 14 replies 8 participants last post by  Andaru 
#1 ·
So the radiator on my manual '04 Forester Xt started leaking at the weekend and I ordered a Mishimoto to replace it which came today. I was hoping to get it in today but after having drained down and disconnected pipes etc I realised i've got two pipes coming out of the bottom of the rad which go off to the transmission but these outlets aren't present on the Mishimoto. On the opposed forces parts list it does come up with rads like this.
I'll speak to Mishimoto tomorrow and see what they say, maybe i have to buy the A/T kit but it's not clear how this would g o with this radiator. Any one come across this before?
 
#4 ·
Sorry to say ziggy stan but it is actually your fault :wink2: It is a well known that none of aloy 'sport'rads don't have the trans cooler. Also you would most likely better buying decent rad rather than alloy. Quite few had a problem with them.
If you want to go with Mishimoto, you will have to either bypass the trans oil pipes, or purchase additional suniwersal trans cooler, and install it. Mishimoot, actually have sell the universal trans cooler and it is not too expensive:
Mishimoto Universal Transmission and Power Steering Cooler, by Mishimoto - Free Shipping in UK

Good luck:wink2:
 
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#6 ·
yeah, didn't realize there was a cooler on the manual transmission until i started removing it! without sounding too stupid is that transmission fluid going through those pipes. any bypass suggestions. think i'm going to try and get an oem. thanks for the replies so far
 
#7 ·
Interesting, it seems Mishimoto still haven't got their act together.

I emailed them about this a couple years ago now. Basically the rad for the UK Foresters doesn't come with built in trans fluid coolers. However the US rads, do ! Or rather did a couple years back. To top it off Mishimoto UK cannot and will not source a Mishimoto US rad for you - nice eh ? They have since made it so UK customers can't access the US site, as it automatically reroutes back to the UK site - I'm sure someone know's a sneaky way around this though

Koyo make a nice radiator too - they make a lot of OEM rads for various vehicles All alloy rads can leak, just the ones with plastic tanks

When I change my rad, I will be going for an all alloy rad if possible as I feel they're a superior product vs the plastic tank'ed versions which are prone to cracking on the plastic parts

PS my MY05 XT Manual has the transmission cooler setup too
 
#8 ·
Few people over here had a Mishimoto and Koyo rads in their hands and they were very disappointed with manufacturing quality. I personally have been recommended Niessens and I am very pleased with quality and fitting. Plus it was half cost off Mishimoto.
Most important I have heard that their lifetime warranty doesn't really work as suppose to.
And finally, if you comapre number of people who fit aluminium (particularly Mishimoto, and Koyo) rads and experience almost imidietly leakage, is much higher that within people fitting decent 'plastic' rads.
 
#10 ·
This is a source I used and few other people over here, and I can recommend it as well. Next day delivery, no issues at all, plus if you want for example NIessen, they will order one for you.
 
#13 ·
Thanks for all the help with this. I originally went with the mishimoto as i thought it would be the quickest way to get a rad that would drop straight in and didn't mind spending more for a product which I feel is better than the existing rad.
What I didn't factor in was that my reg and chassis list the radiator as not having the integrated transmission cooler. Spoke to Subaru4u and they were very helpful as usual but part numbers linked to a radiator not in production yet? They could have got a genuine one from Subaru but obviously this costs time and money and I wanted this sorted a.s.a.p. I could have ordered the separate transmission cooler from Mishimoto but didn't fancy having to locate the cooler somewhere.
So I took the advice and got one from ADRAD as mentioned and fitted that earlier this afternoon!:smile2:
The only thing i didn't have was the foam padding so have wedged some of the old one in for now and will source a new piece.
While fitting slightly different to what I have read online I found it easier to remove the plastic expansion bottle and fans with the rad still in the car to give me access from above for the two transmission hoses at the bottom of the radiator. Otherwise quite a straightforward job.
 
#14 ·
I had exactly the issue you had, toyed with the idea of a a Mishimoto, but decided to go OE. I also fitted an Advanced Radiator, super quick delivery exactly right for the replacement. It even cools better than the original. The needle on the dial definatly sits lower on the gauge, even after a sprited run :wink2:
 
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