Radiator advice

Looking to fit a new radiator to the Rangie. (gems 4.6 p38).
Over the last couple of years has had the head gaskets done, new waterpump, viscous coupling, thermostat. And temp has always been fine. On Thurs and Fri when it was scorchio driving back from North London to Hastings, the temp gauge crept up to a point between halfway and three quarters; didn't go above that and I pulled over to have a quick look under the bonnet.
System wasn't over pressurising, i.e. no water coming out of expansion tank overflow (no boiling). Top hose was firm as usual when hot, but not hard (could squeeze the pipe a bit). Rad was hot at top and at bottom, thermostat was open. When it cooled down a bit I checked the water level, which was spot on. Oil and water all good. And engine running sweet.
So carried on my way. Stuck in a 45 minute queue for the Dartford crossing, most of the 2 miles hardly moving. Again temp gauge crept up a bit. I put the heaters on (just what you need when its 33 degrees), and the gauge stayed static, very slightly above halfway. Had the engine running the whole time I was stuck in the traffic.
Rest of the journey was fine. Did hit the thunderstorms a bit later and the outside temp dropped to about 21 degrees, and then the temp gauge sat happily in the middle, both when moving and in traffic.
Its the original radiator in the motor, so I'm guessing that maybe its time to change it; can't think what else it could be.
Coolant level is still spot on, I've got no leaks. No oil in water or vice versa.
I replaced the coolant a couple of months ago and no sludge came out the bottom of the radiator.
Any other ideas much appreciated; and any advice on a good radiator to get. I usually order my bits from Island 4x4, but they only stock Britpart ones.
'Britpart' and 'Cooling' are 2 words that don't sit comfortably together in my mind - I maybe wrong. Anyone fitted a Britpart rad (and still running)??

I just changed one on my p38 diesel. I used the same place as i changed one on my p38 manual back in october They work great and cured my auto from sitting at 2 oclock all the time,she hits 12 and drops down a little thats come motorway driving and standing in a traffic jam at 23 degrees for over an hour.
Bought them off ebay,two year warranty £80 plus 10 delivery. He might have some left champion radiators off that infamous auction site. He's a great lad to talk to as well,always helpful.
Hope it helps

I had a Britpart rad fitted when I first got mine as the rad on it was original & weeping a little. That was over 2 years ago now & for once, Britpart has done the job, not had the slightest sniff of a overheat.

rover75lover said:

I just changed one on my p38 diesel. I used the same place as i changed one on my p38 manual back in october They work great and cured my auto from sitting at 2 oclock all the time,she hits 12 and drops down a little thats come motorway driving and standing in a traffic jam at 23 degrees for over an hour.
Bought them off ebay,two year warranty £80 plus 10 delivery. He might have some left champion radiators off that infamous auction site. He's a great lad to talk to as well,always helpful.
Hope it helps

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Thanks for that. Could you give us a clue to the ebay supplier and I'll check him out. Had a look on there, and there are quite a few suppliers to choose from (bit of a gamble), so much happier to go with a members recommendation.

martynv8 said:

I had a Britpart rad fitted when I first got mine as the rad on it was original & weeping a little. That was over 2 years ago now & for once, Britpart has done the job, not had the slightest sniff of a overheat.

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Cheers matey. I am tempted by the Britpart rad from island 4x4, price is good and they as a supplier have always been good, plus got 1 year warranty. I'd keep my original rad as a spare as its not split or leaking, I'm guessing it must be slightly clogged after 16 years of motoring.
Thanks for letting me know yours has been ok.

kevwill said:

Cheers matey. I am tempted by the Britpart rad from island 4x4, price is good and they as a supplier have always been good, plus got 1 year warranty. I'd keep my original rad as a spare as its not split or leaking, I'm guessing it must be slightly clogged after 16 years of motoring.
Thanks for letting me know yours has been ok.

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I had my indie change my rad. He mainly insists on OEM but does sing the praises of Britpart rads for the petrols - he's fitted a few & never had a problem with them.

martynv8 said:

I had my indie change my rad. He mainly insists on OEM but does sing the praises of Britpart rads for the petrols - he's fitted a few & never had a problem with them.

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That's good to know. I'll order one tomorrow.
Got an early morning run to take the mother-in-law to Gatwick; I'll see what the temp does on that drive.
Another thought was that when I did the heads a couple of years back I got a ticking off from wammers for not refitting the heat shields over the exhaust manifolds (thank christ he's on holiday at the mo), but never had a problem. Although I guess this is not going to help in very hot weather, especially on the drivers side with the heating hoses directly above. So may well be scraping the skin off my hands refitting those as well.

the guy on the auction site trades as budget-radiators

FORD PROTON SKODA TOYOTA BMW FIAT LEXUS items in budget-radiators78 ALFA JEEP TOYOTA CITROEN store on eBay!

Same guy I got mine from... just fitted a few weeks back, seems fine so far.. temp gage 12o/c spot on

Put a Nissen one on my diesel, from Island 4x4. All good so far. Needle sits at 12 o'clock dead.

Thanks for input guys. Have just ordered britpart rad from island 4x4.
Drove to Gatwick and back early yest morning. Outside temp was about 19 degrees, and the Rangie temp stayed dead centre 12 oclock there and back both at speed and in traffic. When using it in the heat today it was a tiny fraction above 12. Didn't have the heater on; was sat in traffic for about 30 minutes and it never went higher. So hoping a new rad will sort it as it only seems to be affected by outside temperature.
Will post results when I've fitted and tested it.

Just an update. Fitted new radiator today, Britpart, and after refilling with 50/50 coolant all seems very well. The temp gauge sits at 12 oclock (if anything a fraction under). Took for a couple of longish drives and sat at idle (high revs) for 30 mins and all good.
I've always changed the coolant every couple of years and used a chemical flush (shop bought in a bottle). The coolant came out pretty clean but I noticed that the new rad was a hell of a lot lighter than the old original one, so I'm guessing that there must of been quite a bit of solid sludge/crap in the old one.