"How would I know Copper or Aluminum." One is gray and the other is copper color. A new radiator in 2006 would most likely be an Aluminum core with plastic tanks. Look for it being caked with something on the condenser side.

The post about the mixture of coolant to water is interesting as I have heard straight anti freeze will freeze at a higher temperature. I never considered it might produce a lower boiling point.

 

Regardless of what material it's made of, if the thin foil fins (between the water tubes) are crumbling & falling apart, you need a new radiator.

 

"crumbling & falling apart, you need a new radiator. " The OP never said this was the case

 

OK, sorry. I need to read back through the whole thread to remember what's been said before.

 

Update: radiator is fine, all is clean and system is charged. I believe that an AC compressor with 160,000 miles; when they got old can require more torque. A new one is always so smooth and nice. So, in AZ at 111 degrees it was enough to cause the engine to "labor" and cause higher heat. Turned it off, car was fine. Only thing: new AC compressors are expensive, you priced them lately? Whoa. Thanks for all the input.

 

Thats what these forums and post's are all about, helping our fellow members fix there problems...

WheelBrokerAng