I need a Radiator. At first, I assumed the brass tubing, copper fins OE rads were still available but not thru Volvo parts. Volvo is selling the Plastic Tank/Al core types, same as everyone else is. Next, I discovered that the all aluminum Rads need external tranny cooler lines, so I gave up on that idea. Then I located some "all metal" rads, on the Internet, but no one can tell me what material the metal is.

Ok, so I accept that I will be limited to a plastic tank aluminum core. Five years ago I put a Plastic/AL Nissens Rad in a Volvo and it has worked fine. The tranny line connections were steel. The OE Rad lines were thicker and molded right into the tanks. But I'm not seeing anything like that now. Looking at all the Plastic/Al rads out there in the market place, I can hardly tell one from the other. They all look the same, from the shiny black plastic, to the way the aluminum core strips wrap around the tanks in little crimps, to the shoddy cooler line connections.

The most important thing for me is the type of connection for the cooler lines, and the plastic material of the tanks. The warranties are all similar and sufficient.

So, first I purchased a Spectra Premium Rad [made in Canada] from Pep Boys. There was nothing premium about the AT line fittings. The connections were in a little plastic bag and had to be assembled. Looking close at the nipples, it was of a home plumbing design, like a cheap pressure fitting. The nut and tubing was so thin I knew it would eventually leak. I took the rad back and got a refund. But the one thing that Spectra did not hide, which everyone esle does not seem to want to divulge, is the material of their plastic tanks -- PET.

Next I looked at a Visteon, because they were a Ford Co., and are known for quality heat exchangers and AC compressors. The connections on the Visteon is the thickest of all the brands I looked at. There is a glut of offshore no name brands that are far worse, I might add. But as for Visteon, they blow their own horn, and warn to beware of offshore brands, and because of that statement I assumed they were made in the USA and by offshore they meant Asian products. Well, I just learned that Visteon Rads are made in Mexico, not the USA, so the "offshore" wording they use is of a deceptive nature, a legal loophole. I was quite offended by that.

Then I looked at Koyo because the seller Ώ-800-Radiator], as well as, many people talking about koyo on the Internet, confirmed that told they were made in Japan. Well, when I opened the box it said Made in China right on the Radiator.

So far, I have not been able to contact the following Radiator Mfrs, to ask what material their Plastic tanks are made of:

Nissens [Made in Denmark] because everyone is on vacation and email is the only practical contact method for me, I'm not paying the high cost of an international call.

Valeo [made in Italy and OE for Mercedes]. Internet site has no tele # for the US. Nfr basically makes self promoting statements; the few Llnks that there are give little information.

Behr [made in Germany, OE for BMW] No Internet site found for this company.

If anyone can tell me anything about the issues I raised concerning the cheaply designed pressure fiiting Tranny connections, or what kind of plastic the various mfrs are using to make the tanks, I would like to know.

PS. Btw, here are some brands I rejected and my reasons: AC Delco [no info, but also considered to be a cheap rad] Toyo [too pricey for Plastic/Al] Denso [too pricey for Plastic/Al] CSF [cannot locate mfr or any info] Spectra [lousy connections] Modine [n/a, Commercial vehicles only] Proliance [low quality aftermarket]

thank you, diyer