The radiator on my '08 3.0 LS Outlander has a leak. It looks like the radiator is on manufacturer back order for 1 month! I can't use an aftermarket radiator because there is a special sensor that hooks into the radiator and you can't buy the sensor separately.

So am I basically out of a car for 1 month? Any ideas on what to do?

 

Try your local radiator shop to see if they can recore it or they may have an exchange unit on the shelf. I've done this with other cars but not the outlander.

 

I had the same issue with my 07. I had a check engine light after I installed an aftermarket radiator. I ripped out the sensor from the old and soldered the contacts together back onto the new radiator. The check engine light went away afterwards. The contacts are the metal tabs sticks through the fins to fasten the sensor to the radiator. The stealership wanted $600+ (excluding labor) for an OEM radiator as the sensor is not sold separately.. It's not only a temp sensor, but it is a closed loop circuit. If the circuit is not closed, then the light will come on. Best to use a dremel to cleanly cut the metal contacts that fasten to the OEM radiator, so the contacts can be resoldered closed afterwards. I saved at least $500 doing it myself.