how long should a radiator last?

[FunkyGibbon]

I had a new radiator fitted about 14 months ago. I've just been told that I need yet another

Surely they should last longer than that?

Anyone with a similar experience?

TIA

[JonRB]

Depends on the reason for failure.

I had a rad last only a couple of years on the Chimaera but it turned out it failed because the fan blades were chaffing against the core and eventually wore though and the rad sprang a leak as a result.

[WildfireS3]

The rad on my Tiv has been going for 12 years, the mini 20.

[paul garabette]

In my opinion, apart from it being physically damaged by road debris or simillar, it should be a 10 year part in terms of "wear and tear" replacement.

[Terminator]

I had to have the rad in my 3000S re-cored last year after 24 years. They clearly don't make them like they used to...

[FunkyGibbon]

JonRB said:

Depends on the reason for failure. I had a rad last only a couple of years on the Chimaera but it turned out it failed because the fan blades were chaffing against the core and eventually wore though and the rad sprang a leak as a result.

I'll check later why it had failed. Thanks for this.

[squirrelz]

I think mines gone again after 2 years and about 7000 miles

[deeen]

This was one of the issues that drove me away from a dealer for servicing into the arms of independants.

Dealer - "Radiator needs replacing"

Me - "Thank you for pointing that out within the warranty period." (2nd hand 1 yr warranty)

Them - "Er - no, its normal wear and tear"

Me - "No its not!!!"

Them - "Its rusty"

Me - "FFS !!!"

This was 3 yr old car, 35,000 miles.
Eventually gave up with dealer over another issue.

Car is now 5 yrs old, 68000 miles, still on the same rad. Hmmm.

[monkeypilot]

Just had mine done on the Chim. Problem with the Chim is that there's no real protection for the rad. It only takes a good stone to ping through the "mouth" of the car and you've got a hole.
Mine was a nagging little leak. Just losing a pint a week but it was a pain to have to refil and bleed the coolant every week. Car cools much better now though.

[IPAddis]

Just worth remembering that you can get them recored rather than buy a complete new assembly.

The problem is removing and refitting the things.

Ian A.

[FunkyGibbon]

deeen said:

This was one of the issues that drove me away from a dealer for servicing into the arms of independants.

Mine's being done by a reputable Indy - and I have no doubt that the rad does need replacing. I'm just miffed that it has gone again so soon. Could just be bad luck I guess, but I will check to see why it failed.

[Le TVR]

FunkyGibbon said:

Could just be bad luck I guess, but I will check to see why it failed.

Make sure its not mechanical stress.
I have had many radiator repairs - until the last time I resoldered it myself and on re-fitting discovered that the mounting brackets were not square.
Readjusted the mounts and havent had a problem since.

[jamer]

WildfireS3 said:

The rad on my Tiv has been going for 12 years, the mini 20.

12 years or one big stone...


The radiator can be fitted poorly (I am not suggesting yours was for one minute) They can flex and this causes the unit to crack and with it being under pressure it can blow a small hole into the unit. TVR's are esp. prone to this as they are all slighlty different with some fitting great while others are inches out.


worth noting..Not always the fitters fault as he can only fit the bolts into the holes supplied.

Some TVR's we come across have one every 18 months for life while others it seems are totally fine




>> Edited by jamer on Wednesday 22 September 16:03

[jj.]

For the past 5 years I’ve not had one. Until June last year when I had a leak and had a re-core done. One week later another re-core as it was leaking again. 11 Months later another re-core as leaking again. 1 month after the last re-core – it’s now leaking again.! So I’ve now decided to buy a new one, as I’ve no confidence left in re-core’s.. I think 3 attempts is a good enough trial…
jj

[jamer]

jj. said:

For the past 5 years I’ve not had one. Until June last year when I had a leak and had a re-core done. One week later another re-core as it was leaking again. 11 Months later another re-core as leaking again. 1 month after the last re-core – it’s now leaking again.! So I’ve now decided to buy a new one, as I’ve no confidence left in re-core’s.. I think 3 attempts is a good enough trial… jj

Jason

Nice to hear from you, great to see you still have the Chimaera...still got those special pipes on it ;-)

[FunkyGibbon]

Le TVR said:

FunkyGibbon said: Could just be bad luck I guess, but I will check to see why it failed. Make sure its not mechanical stress. I have had many radiator repairs - until the last time I resoldered it myself and on re-fitting discovered that the mounting brackets were not square. Readjusted the mounts and havent had a problem since.

Yes, this could be the case. Apparently it has burst at a seam probably caused by the rad twisting. I'll check it out.

[5ltr-chim]

"conventional" cars 10 years or 100,000 miles which ever is sooner is considered the norm.

TVR - well it's anyones guess as it's so dependant on how hard the hoses are, engine mounts, rad mount etc..

[SlowRider]

jj. said:

For the past 5 years I’ve not had one. jj

Doesnt the car overheat?

[steve290353]

My four year old Griff is still on its original rad i was told over a year ago it needed a new one because it lost a small amount of pressure on a test ,i refused the offer and found a hose needed to be tightend ,,makes you think Steve.

[the dodger]

Same one in the lounge for nearly 30 yrs.