What life are you getting out of radiators?

[NotSoSlowSHO]

This morning we had some nasty freezing fog. The wife has been driving the SHO, and Ive been driving the Subaru. The Subaru gets the garage

Anyways.... I fired up the SHO, and scraped the window clear for the wife before I left. This gives the car 10-15 minutes to idle before my wife jumps in and heads to work. Windows clear, nice and toasty interior.

Well, 20 minutes later I get a call from her.

"So, there is a BIG puddle of coolant under the car. I guess Im taking the truck??"

The SHO has been leaking a bit of coolant for a while, but no more than a few drops during cool-down. Typical end-tank to core leak. This morning it finally let loose. 2-3 inches of the HOT side shows signs of leakage.

As I check records, this radiator lasted just 35k miles. Though it did last 8 years.

Im curious if this is typical. I know the aluminum core with plastic end tank design is FAR from ideal, but there simply isnt an off-the-shelf alternative for these.

So, how many miles/years are you getting out of your radiators?

 

[SHOtimer]

I've had horrible luck with radiators.

My original one lasted approx 150k, and it started to leak. Since then they only last 20-30k, until the end-tanks start to leak when it is really cold out - during warm up.

I bought a Ford one thinking it would be a good move - that was the worst! I went through 3-4 during the 12 month 12k warranty period.

I think when the one in mine now goes out i'm going with one of these:
http://www.genesisautoparts.com/all_aluminum_radiator-ford-taurus-1989.htm

Doug

 

[frosho]

On the stock style radiator, some people have better luck by re-crimping the endtanks prior to installation. I never tried it though. I have one of the all-aluminum radiators that Doug mentioned, as do many others on the forum. I don't think I've seen a single complaint about them yet.

 

[SHOZ123]

I had a brand new one that leaked and needed re crimped. I re crimp all plastic aluminum radiators anytime they are out now, regardless of make.

 

[K-Dawg]

Genesis welded aluminum here. No problems.

 

[SHOZ123]

I have an all aluminum welded radiator on my Genesis too....

 

[jedhead]

Mine has the one that came with it from the factory.

Bob

 

[itwonder]

I'm on the second one since the car was new. It was replaced about four years ago.

 

[Whydah91]

My original Ford leaked at 60k. I put in an Advance stores unit, had the original resealed and crimped and tucked it away. Car now has 189k on it and the Advance unit is still holding.

 

[NotSoSlowSHO]

Thanks for the responses guys. I was HOPING there was an all-aluminum alternative, but all of my searches came up short.

Ive already got the replacement installed, and even though it comes with a lifetime replacement warranty, if I continue to have problems Ill look into the all aluminum versions for sure.

I never had this problem until I moved to Idaho. And even then , it is only during the winter when it has leaked. I think the overall temp swing has everything to do with pushing the end tank seals beyond their limits.

 

[SHOZ123]

Mine leaked when cold. The colder it got the worse it was. Sometimes you could not see a leak but the fact the radiator did not rid itself of air on it's own tells you there is a leak.

As the radiator cools the plastic tanks pull away from the foam sealant used between it and the aluminum.

 

[SHOVNST]

$120 for the all-aluminum is a great price. There is no reason to go with the plastic tanked version assuming there are no issues with the aluminum.....

 

[SHOMON]

On the stock style radiator, some people have better luck by re-crimping the endtanks prior to installation. I never tried it though. I have one of the all-aluminum radiators that Doug mentioned, as do many others on the forum. I don't think I've seen a single complaint about them yet.

Matt which one is the correct part number they list two different ones?

 

[NotSoSlowSHO]

well, it looks like I need a new upper radiator hose too.

original hose simply doesnt seal up anymore.

The old girl is feeling the age

 

[frosho]

Matt which one is the correct part number they list two different ones?

I don't remember. It looks like differentiate them by engine size, 3.0 vs 3.8, so I probably just went with the 3.0 option. I doubt there's much of a difference, if any, between the two.

 

[SHOMON]

I just got my all aluminum radiator from Genesis. It is manufactured in China by Silla Cooling. A U.S. company based in Compton CA. The part number for the radiator is 2192AA.
I found multiple websites selling this radiator.

 

[Eric VerValin]

Agreed, after Gary found em a year and a half ago, I've put 24k on it and haven't seen a problem yet. 160k 18~19 years on the orig.

http://www.shoforum.com/showpost.php?p=1239504&postcount=7

I notice my needle move faster than it did before. My heads are still pretty new / clean yet, and it moved pretty fast before, but when that thermostat opens, its seconds and its cooler. I like it. Def noticed a difference, coming from someone driving a black SHO 1000 miles a week last summer.