What did you do to your FX / QX70 today?

If you want to, you can bypass the radiator. I did it in my old car because it wasn't a daily driver and I had put an aftermarket radiator in anyways without the cooler built in. But for the FX, I ran it through the radiator because otherwise, it will take a long time for the transmission fluid to hit normal operating temperature in colder weather. If it doesn't, it's not going to shift well and the operation will be iffy. The radiator cooler keeps the fluid at a good operating temperature, the auxiliary cooler is just there to keep it from overheating. At least that's what I hope. I have heard about the issues with leaks in the radiator core contaminating transmission fluid. But I think the better solution may be to get a new radiator if that's happening. They're supposed to be 2 separate systems so if it's mixing, something is leaking.
 
earlier I said I might need a radiator support after mine cracked this weekend after running over some ice. I was wondering if you guys have any links for used car parts, or junk yards with newer cars. Maybe even ebay links for part yards. I can't seem to find anything
 
I bought and installed a silla radiator after doing a lot of research and it fit perfectly and runs perfectly so far. I wanted to put a stillen radiator or upgrade it from oe specs but most if not all of them require some sort of fabrication to make them fit and also cost a lot. I got my silla for $110 shipped. I also changed the upper and lower hoses and the thermostat while I was changing the cooling system. Hoses ran about $10 or something off of rockauto.com

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337
 
If you want to, you can bypass the radiator. I did it in my old car because it wasn't a daily driver and I had put an aftermarket radiator in anyways without the cooler built in. But for the FX, I ran it through the radiator because otherwise, it will take a long time for the transmission fluid to hit normal operating temperature in colder weather. If it doesn't, it's not going to shift well and the operation will be iffy. The radiator cooler keeps the fluid at a good operating temperature, the auxiliary cooler is just there to keep it from overheating. At least that's what I hope. I have heard about the issues with leaks in the radiator core contaminating transmission fluid. But I think the better solution may be to get a new radiator if that's happening. They're supposed to be 2 separate systems so if it's mixing, something is leaking.

I wish there was an easy way to see if they are mixing in the radiator. I guess you could disconnect it and somehow pump colored water into the tranny part and see if it comes out of the engine coolant part. I guess when you consider how inexpensive coolant is it doesn't hurt to do a change and see how quickly it changes color again. Need to do a transmission fluid change, so I could always send that to Blackstone and see if they find antifreeze in there if I don't see it myself.
 
Wow Adam, really hope the paint will match up nicely with the surrounding pieces.

Am not worried about the paint, place I order it from makes perfect match, used them before, I'm just hoping the body work will not show my amateur skills ;)

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A little sneak peak of what I was able to accomplish today.
Molding and sanding to match the wheel well shape was a real pain.
 
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:good: for DIY. Worry about "old paint" "new paint" matching. After all other painted pieces has been exposed the sun for 10 years. Good shop will blend the surrounding pieces with new paint. Does anyone knows if paint color matching technology take fading into consideration these day?
 
You're correct about "old"/"new" paint, and they do incorporate fading of the OEM paint and try to "bleach" it a bit. I will know for sure later today when I begin painting. I can always go Zebra's way and wrap it ;)
 
Thx Andy. About to start the painting, so updates later today when dry and back on the FX.

Speaking of painting and body shops or paint shops. I don't know about other cities etc but it seems the color matching /fading technology is not as common as one would think.
And when the right shop/paint place asks for the year of the car, it's location etc etc is simply to do their best to incorporate those factors. So for anyone ever needing to have their car painted/touched up or for DIY ask and some will even make you a sample.
 
Emptied and cleaned out my coolant overflow tank. There was a bunch of brownish crap on the inside that I had to scrub off. Decided I can just see if it gets dirty again since I already had coolant and then decide if I want to flush it all.

New coolant, looks much better

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Old coolant next to it, and in the air so you can see the color

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Usually has that gross brown color, but right up against the plastic and in the right light it had a normal coolant green to it, darker than the new coolant though. The coolant in the radiator right under the cap looks like a more normal green as well.
 
The part that worries me is that if this buildup occurs anywhere else in the system then there's not much that can be done. I tried just rinsing it out and used soap and it still didn't budge much until I stuck a paper towel on the end of a socket extension and ran it all along the inside.
 
Done with painting. Blended exceptionally well. Tomorrow will buff it out for the factory shine. Here is the result: 1. Painted, 2. With clear coat.
u6u7yved.jpg
 
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