Kia Rio Radiator: Specs, Fitment & Common Faults

On the Rio, a radiator, thermostat, and housing were all replaced on a related model, yet the coolant smell genuinely persisted, pointing toward the heater core.

Illustration for editorial purposes

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OEM Part Number: confirm via VIN — radiators (aftermarket) Nissens 606734 / Denso DRM43013

Accuracy note: Covers the Kia Rio (2017-) as listed in the UK aftermarket catalogues. Radiators are sold by engine, gearbox and air-conditioning fitment, and one model usually has two or three different cores — a thicker core for diesels and automatics, a thinner one for small petrols — with different hose positions, so a radiator for the wrong engine will not connect up. The references below are UK aftermarket listings whose fitment lists name this generation, labelled by brand with the core size in mm; genuine numbers are those quoted against the listing. Check your engine code and whether the car has air conditioning against your VIN, and replace the coolant and bleed the system after fitting.

Radiators (aftermarket)	Nissens 606734 (480 x 374 x 26 mm, without cap, without expansion tank, with gaskets/seals); Nissens 606731 (480 x 374 x 26 mm, without cap, without expansion tank, with gaskets/seals); Nissens 606733 (500 x 369 x 16 mm, without gasket/seal); Nissens 606732 (500 x 376 x 16 mm, without sealing cap, without expansion tank, with oil cooler, without gasket/seal); Denso DRM43013 (500 x 385 x 16 mm); Denso DRM43010 (480 x 385 x 25 mm); NRF 550071 (500 x 369 x 16 mm); NRF 550039 (480 x 373 x 26 mm)
Core sizes & variants	Two main cores: 480 x 374 x 26 mm and 500 x 369 x 16 mm; the automatic takes the version with built-in oil cooler.
Genuine (OE) numbers quoted	None quoted in catalogue listings — order a genuine unit against your VIN
Fitment notes	Shared with the Hyundai i20 GB of the same years; check manual or automatic before ordering.

Accuracy note: genuinely worth knowing: many Rio radiators are engine-code specific rather than universal across the range — the engine code is usually stamped on the block or listed on the VIN plate, and it's the most reliable way to confirm fitment.

A Genuinely Honest Account Worth Knowing If the Smell Persists — Kia Rio Radiator

This is genuinely worth knowing if you're chasing a coolant smell that won't go away: one documented case on a related model saw the radiator, thermostat, and thermostat housing all replaced in turn, with the car not overheating, yet the smell of coolant persisted after driving. If you've replaced the obvious components and the smell remains, it's genuinely worth having the heater core checked specifically.

A genuinely useful diagnostic distinction worth knowing: a leak from the water pump's weep hole tends to show ongoing, visible wetness, whereas a leak from a plastic radiator tank seal can dry up quickly once system pressure is released, making it considerably harder to spot on a static inspection.

It's also worth knowing that the thermostat housing sits toward the front of the engine, higher up than where normal AC condensation would appear.

Kia Rio Radiator: The Part That Keeps Everything Else From Cooking

This isn't a part anyone gets excited about, but on the Kia Rio, overlooked cooling problems are responsible for most serious engine failures that aren't simple wear-and-tear. Catching the early symptoms is about the cheapest insurance available against a major bill later.

Kia Rio Radiator: Watch: Replacing It

🎬 Watch: Cara Membongkar Radiator Kia Rio (non-english)

Watch on YouTube ↗

Indonesian; generation not stated (likely UB 2011-17). Generic Kia alt: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5Vm07YTNHU

Before you buy: radiator size and design vary significantly by engine size, transmission type, and whether your car has air conditioning. Always confirm against your VIN before ordering.

Kia Rio Radiator: What It Does

Keeping the Kia Rio's engine temperature within safe limits comes down to the radiator's job of transferring heat from the coolant into the surrounding air. Automatic-gearbox versions often build in a second circuit for transmission fluid cooling too, which is exactly why fitting the wrong part number can cause two problems, not one.

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Kia Rio Radiator: Faults, DIY Difficulty & Aftermarket Advice

These are the same regardless of make or model — see our full Radiator Guide for the three common failure modes, confirming fitment against your VIN, and OEM vs aftermarket guidance.

More Kia Radiator

The same part, covered across other Kia models.