DB9/Vantage Radiator

[David Ramsbotham]

My DB9 radiator ( which is the same as the Vantage ) is beginning to deform with the outer edges bending outwards.

I understand that this is not an uncommon problem, so have the following questions for any members who may have experienced this issue as well;

1/ Wondered how long I should leave this before replacing?

2/ Anyone know of source and price for a replacement without resorting to Scuderia ,Astonmartinbits or AML? All of which look frighteningly expensive.

TIA.

[paulrog1]

I had this problem with my DB9 last year.

The AM part came to around £850 which is outragous so I looked for cheaper alternatives and unfortunately I found none, they are colse to a jag rad but not identical, but I found a forum member who can source a rad from the original manufacture which AM use so it's the same item but bit cheaper, mine was £700 so I went for that, contact a98pmalcolm.

When I replaced my rad, I also replaced 4 foam pieces on the rad, with a new thermostat, gasket, aux drive belt with aux pulleys and tensioner pulley.

Obviously replaced the coolant and had the aircon degassed and then regassed as the condensor needs to come off.

New expansion tank cap also and new rad coolant pipes.

Not cheap but a great project to do.

[David Ramsbotham]

Thanks for your response Paul.

I will being doing the job myself. Did you de gas the air con system yourself? If so, is it just a case of undoing the pipes from the condenser?

Cheers, David.

[LTP]

David Ramsbotham said:

Did you de gas the air con system yourself? If so, is it just a case of undoing the pipes from the condenser?

Please don't do this. As far as I'm aware all aircon refrigerants are greenhouse gasses and older ones may also cause damage to the ozone layer

[David Ramsbotham]

LTP said:

Please don't do this. As far as I'm aware all aircon refrigerants are greenhouse gasses and older ones may also cause damage to the ozone layer

So what do I do then?

[bignoise]

Hi

AC should be vac'd out, and any garage which does AC service will have the equipment to do it, and can then check, service and recharge system on completion of rad change

Intentionally releasing to atmosphere is illegal and comes with a hefty fine if caught

[David Ramsbotham]

bignoise said:

Hi

AC should be vac'd out, and any garage which does AC service will have the equipment to do it, and can then check, service and recharge system on completion of rad change

Intentionally releasing to atmosphere is illegal and comes with a hefty fine if caught

Thanks for the heads upon that!

[JonnyCJ]

Hi David - give these guys a call. They can recondition any radiator. It’s not rocket science and standard components are used in pretty much all rads. They also do oil coolers etc.

https://radiator-repair.co.uk/repair-workshop/car-...

[David Ramsbotham]

JonnyCJ said:

Hi David - give these guys a call. They can recondition any radiator. It’s not rocket science and standard components are used in pretty much all rads. They also do oil coolers etc.

https://radiator-repair.co.uk/repair-workshop/car-...

Thanks Jonny, I’ve sent them an enquiry.

[JonnyCJ]

Keep us informed - I’d be surprised if it were more than a couple of hundred quid for a full refurb. Watched the process on Wheeler Dealers once.

[bullet7]

Hi David

There are two repair places local to us, there's one in Exeter www.radiator-repairs.co.uk 01392 823800 and there's Raysons in Yeovil www.raysons.co.uk 01935 471474. I approached both when I needed a new condenser.

I used Raysons many years ago for a recore on a classic car and they did a good job. It was some time ago of course!

Jeff

[David Ramsbotham]

Hi Jeff, hope all well with you. I used to use a Raysons in Taunton but they closed, didn’t realise there was one in Yeovil. Might be worth a try.
Cheers, David.

[David Ramsbotham]

JonnyCJ said:

Keep us informed - I’d be surprised if it were more than a couple of hundred quid for a full refurb. Watched the process on Wheeler Dealers once.

Sadly Northern Radiators are unable to refurbish my existing rad due to the lack of suitable cores. Only option is all new aluminium one at approx. £700.

[phumy]

Not too far from you and possibly worth a call:

https://www.arrowbristol.co.uk/car-radiators/

[David Ramsbotham]

Thanks plummy, sent them a message.

[JonnyCJ]

Try these guys as well - they do bespoke. I’m sure they’d be happy to corner the market for Vantage/DB9

https://www.coolexperts.co.uk/product/ford-capri-3...

[David Ramsbotham]

Thanks, sent them a note - we’ll see!

[vernierMike]

Be great to see if there is a refurb option. I had the frustration with my KTM of apparently weakness in the rad leading to lots of failures from others but because it's curved and exposed I had to get a new one at £450 - for a tiny bike rad!! Anyway, makes the Aston one look not too bad vfm...

[pancholi]

please keep us informed if you are successful with a recon from these companies
as threads like this help DIY'ers monitor costs
cheers

[David Ramsbotham]

My conclusion is, that if your original radiator is starting to bow, you will not find anyone capable of repairing it. The only option is to go down the new route.
Remains to be seen if any supplier is better or worse than any other but all options appear to point to £700 for replacement radiator.
On top of that is the air con gas evac and regas.