Discussion
To add to the ongoing 2005 list of repairs, it now appears I need a new radiator. I am a little surprised this is needed on a 2 yr old car, and while I trust my garage 100% that this is required, I am very interested to learn whether this is a common issue, whether I have simply got unlucky, how this could have occured (bad parts?).
And no, this is regrettably not covered under warranty, so yet more unplanned expenditure... sigh
And no, this is regrettably not covered under warranty, so yet more unplanned expenditure... sigh
My 2000 Tuscan also needed a new radiator. It too had no more than a drip. So little in fact I did not notice it as I monitor the fluid levels closely.
On mine, I was told that the fault was not in the radiator itself but somewhere in the way it connects to the rest of the cooling system. The dealer noticed as the drip had started to show corrosion on the pipes.
The warranty did not cover this, as I was told that 5 years was a reasonable length of time for a radiator to last. Although this is the case, the leak may have been down to a manufacturing/design error from what I am aware from posts on here, as the same thing has happened to a number of other owners. I seem to remember one post which explained how he had gone through his third radiator and paid for each one.
For me, the very slow drip was not worth the £400+ fitting +VAT cost of a new one, especially since the once I had may not get any worse for a year or two or more, and I may shell out for a new one and still be in the same leaky position in a couple of years time if the faults reappear.
I suppose it depends on what your budget is. The dealer did explain how a drip allows airlocks into the system which in turn can affect the temp reading, which in term will affect the smooth running of the ECU and thus the car.
Basically, if I had a new Tusc I would get it done under warranty or just pay for it, if I had a just bought a 2000 Tusc for £17k I would certainly live with it as the cost of the radiator would be better spent fixing more important niggles when they arise!
On mine, I was told that the fault was not in the radiator itself but somewhere in the way it connects to the rest of the cooling system. The dealer noticed as the drip had started to show corrosion on the pipes.
The warranty did not cover this, as I was told that 5 years was a reasonable length of time for a radiator to last. Although this is the case, the leak may have been down to a manufacturing/design error from what I am aware from posts on here, as the same thing has happened to a number of other owners. I seem to remember one post which explained how he had gone through his third radiator and paid for each one.
For me, the very slow drip was not worth the £400+ fitting +VAT cost of a new one, especially since the once I had may not get any worse for a year or two or more, and I may shell out for a new one and still be in the same leaky position in a couple of years time if the faults reappear.
I suppose it depends on what your budget is. The dealer did explain how a drip allows airlocks into the system which in turn can affect the temp reading, which in term will affect the smooth running of the ECU and thus the car.
Basically, if I had a new Tusc I would get it done under warranty or just pay for it, if I had a just bought a 2000 Tusc for £17k I would certainly live with it as the cost of the radiator would be better spent fixing more important niggles when they arise!
Thanks Chaps. The leak is indeed allowing air in, which is causing wild temp readings and then fan activation. It gets quite unnerving living in London with the fan coming on within 3 minutes of start up on a cold morning! Tough to have any clue as to overheating potentially as well. So...new radiator getting fitted now.
justinbaker said:
I would love the old radiator, and would be happy to buy it. I can then take measurements, produce the engineering data for remanufacture. Or re core this one for future use.
Blast - sorry Justin, missed my chance and it is now in the scrap bin at Racing green. May be worthwhile giving them a call as I think they occasionally have a rad or two coming up (there was another Tuscan in there this week with the same issue if memory serves).
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