Topic: Stupid OEM Radiator!

[mrcabinet]

Well, it looks like it's new radiator time. I'm losing about half a gallon of coolant a week, the cab isn't heating up like it should (no heater core leaking or blockage) and the other morning I noticed a few puffs of steam coming up while at a stop light. It is however, still keeping the temps down and consistent.

What a POS this OEM radiator is! It's only lasted 170,000 miles, ten of which were Las Vegas summers, and 4 1/2 years in NC. Only two winters in the NC mountains where it was often a balmy 10 degrees or lower.

I guess I'll roll the dice and take a chance on another OEM unit.........

[Jeffy]

Why not get something different?  There's are a slew of aluminum radiators that will work on ebay.  You can also get a OEm style but with metal tanks and 2/3 core rather then what most come with a 1/2 core.  At minimum I'd get steel tanks.

I'd check the cap and or hoses for leaks.  The pinhole in the hose only show up when the system is up to pressure.  Although you can usually smell and see the residue from that kind of leak.

[Danny in Galveston]

That's not bad for the factory radiator.  Mine had to be replaced at just under 100,000 miles.  I went with an all-copper radiator with the copper tanks soldered to the core.  Don't remember the brand, but it was not much more expensive than the OEM.

[mrcabinet]

Exactly my sarcastic point. A lot of folks bash the OEM radiator, but I think 170k from a radiator that was used in some pretty harsh conditions is pretty darn good.

[95 Lowbuck]

The OEM radiator with metal tanks are a lot easier to fix on the trail.
Seen it done with a small Coleman tank torch and some solder.

[grumpygy]

The OEM radiator with metal tanks are a lot easier to fix on the trail.
Seen it done with a small Coleman tank torch and some solder.

That's what I went with.