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I was having the same problem. I cleaned out what road grime, bugs, leaves and whatever else was on the radiator. If it's hot, I'm using the A/C, and the car is idling, I still get pretty warm.
Some have suggested that the radiators get plugged up throughout their life, and a new radiator is the only real cure.
I am in the market for one right now, and here is what I have learned:
OE replacement is fairly inexpensive, it's the same plastic end tank / aluminum core design. Some people don't like this setup because it may not be as effective at cooling, the tanks can crack, and it's not servicable. Most new cars that I'm aware of come with a plastic/aluminum radiator and they do just fine.
There are also at least three all metal versions available too. Rad-tech and Nissens are common, but I've seen others as well. Most (all?) sport a thicker three-row core, and purport to cool better than the aluminum/plastic ones. One parts supplier who sold both radiators was hesitant to make any claims about all-metal being better than aluminum/plastic, but did offer that the three row vs. two row made the all metal one more suited for heavy duty use.
The Rad-tech version is cheaper by $30 or so, but according to another supplier it is "less well finished" or something along those lines. Basically it sounds like it's the same in description (brass/copper three row, heavy duty...) but not as well assembled / manufactured, and maybe not as well designed. Who's to say?
Finally, to confound the situation, Nissens (the manufacturer of the "ultra-duty three row all metal monster" makes a newly designed aluminum/plastic configuration that *supposedly* "cools better than ALL of ther all-metal radiators" It's about $150 - a bargain if it really is better.
All of this info comes from www.thepartsbin.com, or whatever it is.
I'm not sure if we should believe the last statement or not, but if it's true I'm going with that bad boy. I've never owned a car that had an all-metal radiator, and it somehow seems outdated. Am I missing something?
-Steve
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