F'ing Modine Radiators

[93MTXSHO]

Sorry in advance for the long post, but I really need some help.

Well, I have quite a dilemna on my hands. I bought a replacement radiator for my SHO about 8000 miles ago. I saw that the replacement was a Modine, so when I took the old radiator out, it was a modine too and still had Ford's ID tag on it, so I figured that I didn't do to bad for reliability.... boy was I wrong. It's leaking in the exact same place it did the last time. About halfway up the driver's side tank. I don't believe I have a head gasket leak as it doesn't lose coolant on a regular basis.

Anyway, right now, it's leaking about 16oz. of coolant every time I drive it about 30-50 miles, and I'm going to school in Ohio, about 500 miles from home. It has the lifetime warranty, but the receipt is at home, and my parents can't seem to find it. My question is, should I put a lower pressure cap on it and try to drive it home keeping my eye on the coolant level, or what? It runs as smooth and powerful as can be, but I am so frustrated by this car that I'm ready to sell it. I've sunk over 5000 into this rat hole and am not about to put another dime into it, sans oil changes and the much needed valve adjustment. What do you guys think? I currently feel like I have no other choice, as I can't even get a ride home with someone. Please help me. Thanks so much.

93 SHO with 197K shoot

 

[sdpatt]

One technique to use in an emergency situation when the cooling system is breached is to unlock the radiator cap to the first detent to prevent the buildup of pressure. There is a design weakness in the driver side plastic tank that lets the stress from the mounting bolt for the fan and shroud assembly crack the tank near the bolt's mounting slot. Depending on where you bought the radiator, they should have your purchase and warranty information on their computer database. Most large auto parts chains do this now. Give 'em a call.

 

[NWGRN94MTX]

I havn't had to replace mine yet, but here are some posting from our club site.

"If it needs to be replaced, we can do it in about an hour or so. DO NOT buy a radiator made by Modine! They will not back up their warranty."

"I have searched for an alternate radiator for a while. I have not been able to find anything as good (and cheep) as the Vistion OEM replacement. I have installed quite a few of them in the Auto Body field, and a few in other SHO's, including mine."

"Vistion is the OEM manufacturer of our radiators. They come in a box with instructions and FORD paperwork. It's the same as buying one over the counter at the dealer."

So, who is the real OEM? Would you please stand up? tool

 

[SHOZ123]

If it's a Modine it has a lifetime warranty. I have one of them too and it does the same thing. Only a couple of years old. I use a bad radiator cap that won't hold pressure and it doesn't leak as bad.

There is an epoxy that can take the heat and is made for plastic if you want to really fix it.

 

[f$nsho]

Same thing here, two years ago I replaced my radiator with a Modine and it is just starting to leak.

I just checked out the paper I received with the radiator and it turns out I should have mailed them an Modine Gold Car Lifetime Limited Warranty APPLICATION FORM within 15 dayes of purchase. In turn they would have send me the actual Warrany Certificate.
Too bad I missed out on that.

So, I'm up for another radiator. A Modine.

Not

Rein

 

[93MTXSHO]

Thanks everybody that's replied so far. The leak isn't at crucial stage, and as far as I'm concerned, the Modine is what was in the car, with a FORD part number on it, so they were the OEM supplier, at least in May of 93. But anyway, what do you all think about putting on a 7 lb cap and chancing the 500 mile drive home? Is that something wise or excessively stupid? I made the fatal error of buying it from the local discount chain instead of a national one, so I'm pretty much screwed there. I don't know what else to do except drive the damned thing and stop and check the coolant every 50-100 miles. What would you do? I'm not about to buy another $260 radiator when this one has the lifetime warranty. Also, where can you get the exhaust gas in the coolant test kit? The dumb ***** at Autozone had no clue what I was talking about. One more thing, does anyone have the part number for the IAB gasket, or is it reusable?

 

[HopefulSHO]

$260 for a radiator! Wow. When my stock rad began leaking a few weeks ago, I picked up a replacement (Go-Dan) @ Advance Auto here in Omaha for $127 and some change. Lifetime warranty, too.
Also, I'm not sure what you mean by..exaust gas in the test kit either?

 

[NWGRN94MTX]

Damn,

A guy in our club is getting us Vistion's for $105.00 MTX, $110.00 ATX.
He says, The ATX list is $247, and the MTX is $181.

 

[NWGRN94MTX]

IMHO Since they can't find the receipt,Tell Mammason & Pappy to send you money and fix it. I would not risk my wheels for a $ 105.00-$130.00 fix. Warped heads are forever.

93MTXSHO:
Thanks everybody that's replied so far. The leak isn't at crucial stage, and as far as I'm concerned, the Modine is what was in the car, with a FORD part number on it, so they were the OEM supplier, at least in May of 93. But anyway, what do you all think about putting on a 7 lb cap and chancing the 500 mile drive home? Is that something wise or excessively stupid? I made the fatal error of buying it from the local discount chain instead of a national one, so I'm pretty much screwed there. I don't know what else to do except drive the damned thing and stop and check the coolant every 50-100 miles. What would you do? I'm not about to buy another $260 radiator when this one has the lifetime warranty. Also, where can you get the exhaust gas in the coolant test kit? The dumb ***** at Autozone had no clue what I was talking about. One more thing, does anyone have the part number for the IAB gasket, or is it reusable?

 

[DHMag]

GoDan Industries Radiator from Auto-Zone is 169.99. what sdpatt stated about it cracking near the mounting bolt is true. for that very reason, i replaced mine this weekend. shop around and see if you can find someone who has metal tanks. they are rare to find, but worth it to have them instead of plastic tanks.

 

[93MTXSHO]

While I know that warped heads are forever, I always keep my eye on two things when I drive anything, the temp guage and the oil pressure guage/light. If the guage even began swinging or creeping up, I'd pop the tranny in neutral and cut the engine, DUH!

Despite what numerous people are saying, the SHO radiator is apparently not the same as the rest of the Taurus fleet. Just check FPN, Torrie lists the 3.0 SHO radiator at 307.28 and the 3.0 SLO at 168.63. I already know that just because you say "SHO" the price jumps $100, which tells me that I didn't do bad at 260 for the right radiator. When you're in college, a hundred dollars is the equivilant of 1000 to most of the rest of the world.

Warped Heads, oh damn, an excuse to get rid of this *************.

 

[sdpatt]

The Go Dan Inc. (GDI) 22-2192 from AutoZone for $149.99 will work for both the ATX and MTX SHOs. It is a direct replacement and there is one under my hood. Running cool....

 

[HopefulSHO]

Given your attitude about the car, why not get rid of it anyway?

 

[93MTXSHO]

Sorry for the attitude, but the whole situation really irks me. I'd love to get rid of it, but I can't afford this car and how on earth am I going to afford something else. $5000 is too much to throw away since I can only get about $3000 out of the car if I'm lucky, and I certainly can't float a car payment. I thank you all for the input, I'm going to take my chances and just drive it home. My only regret is that I had listened to my dad. He told me that a Japanese motor was going to be nothing but trouble, I wish I'd listened. Hindsight sure is 20-20

 

[SHOZ123]

Radiator..com and $125.00 you'll have it the next day.

Running with a 7 lb cap won't hurt it. My cap won't even hold 2 lbs. The only way I can keep the POS Modine from losing it all.