Leaking Alloy Radiator - still new
Discussion
Bt way of background the Chimaera came to NZ in October last year, and the radiator needed replacing, which was duly done. I have since found that it was recored....all good so far.
Within one month and 700 miles of installation it had developed microscopic leaks. It then took another four months to discover they came from the radiator and not an over-flowing surge tank or anything else.
Now I will tolerate a lot of crap, BUT a radiator to fail within 4 weeks and 1000 miles is to much to swallow (especially as the cost was 600UKP).
I have tackled he manufacturer directly and he has raised:-
1) Electroylsis - basically saying dud insallation and stray current
2) Mixing of coolants
3) No flushing.
Essentially they are saying "Not our fault mate - it is corrision" BUT "we will fix it for 400UKP"
The guy who installed it knows his TVRs and will have done everything correctly.
My question is has anyone else had expereince of an alloy radiator failing this quickly in either a Chimaera or a Griffith?
Is the failure likely to be "car related" or "installation" as they suggest or is this a case of calling "bulls
t" and going them for manufacturing failure?
BTW - For those looking at the prices I will be getting in a radiator from the UK....cheaper and better (known) quality - the saved cash is better used for fuelling her.
Many thanks in advance for any assistance - my lack of knowledge of corrision-radiators is working against me a little, and whilst there is stuff via google, I am looking for the real life with TVRs.
Within one month and 700 miles of installation it had developed microscopic leaks. It then took another four months to discover they came from the radiator and not an over-flowing surge tank or anything else.
Now I will tolerate a lot of crap, BUT a radiator to fail within 4 weeks and 1000 miles is to much to swallow (especially as the cost was 600UKP).
I have tackled he manufacturer directly and he has raised:-
1) Electroylsis - basically saying dud insallation and stray current
2) Mixing of coolants
3) No flushing.
Essentially they are saying "Not our fault mate - it is corrision" BUT "we will fix it for 400UKP"
The guy who installed it knows his TVRs and will have done everything correctly.
My question is has anyone else had expereince of an alloy radiator failing this quickly in either a Chimaera or a Griffith?
Is the failure likely to be "car related" or "installation" as they suggest or is this a case of calling "bulls
t" and going them for manufacturing failure?BTW - For those looking at the prices I will be getting in a radiator from the UK....cheaper and better (known) quality - the saved cash is better used for fuelling her.
Many thanks in advance for any assistance - my lack of knowledge of corrision-radiators is working against me a little, and whilst there is stuff via google, I am looking for the real life with TVRs.
Electroylsis... Not in that time scale... unless the rad was suspect in the firts place.... They need to honour their gaurantee.... I'm Bl**y sick of TVR expert passing the book... you hear about it all the time....
BTW.. I always earth my Rad to the chassis to stop Electroylsis... Well worth doing
BTW.. I always earth my Rad to the chassis to stop Electroylsis... Well worth doing
Radiator was earthed to the chassis.
This is not a TVR expert - but a Radiator expert, all they do is Radiators (here in NZ TVRs still a little rare)- alas their website does state "we take ownership of the job" - NOT.
To quote their report....
"Substantial corrosion was found on both headers and in the tubes.
This corrosion is responsible for the tube to header leaks that are present now.
The causes of this type of corrosion are usually inadequate levels of coolant,
Mixed or contaminated coolants, inadequate flushing or stray current (electrolysis), without sending the radiator to a laboratory for testing we can’t be certain which of the above has caused this radiator to fail, however corrosion is clearly the cause.
They are certainly avoiding the issue, I am going to send it for testing, but was looking for feedback, to see if I was maybe mistaken in my belief a radiator should last longer then 4 weeks.
This is not a TVR expert - but a Radiator expert, all they do is Radiators (here in NZ TVRs still a little rare)- alas their website does state "we take ownership of the job" - NOT.
To quote their report....
"Substantial corrosion was found on both headers and in the tubes.
This corrosion is responsible for the tube to header leaks that are present now.
The causes of this type of corrosion are usually inadequate levels of coolant,
Mixed or contaminated coolants, inadequate flushing or stray current (electrolysis), without sending the radiator to a laboratory for testing we can’t be certain which of the above has caused this radiator to fail, however corrosion is clearly the cause.
They are certainly avoiding the issue, I am going to send it for testing, but was looking for feedback, to see if I was maybe mistaken in my belief a radiator should last longer then 4 weeks.
I'd say so!!Sorry to hear about your radiator problems.
One thing to chack is the spacers underneath the radiator, there are 2 rubber grommets which slide over the two lugs that stick out of the bottom of the Radiator and support the weight of the radiator.
I found my radiator was leaking and found that these were missing and the rad was hanging from the two top mounts which can't be good for longevity.
The spacers are available from the TVR specialist over here but I used two pieces of rubber mat folded
over with a whole puched through the midddle. I just added more bits until the top holes lined up with the holes on the body so the top holes just held the rad in place rather than taking the weight.
Not had a problem since.
Good luck.
Paul.
One thing to chack is the spacers underneath the radiator, there are 2 rubber grommets which slide over the two lugs that stick out of the bottom of the Radiator and support the weight of the radiator.
I found my radiator was leaking and found that these were missing and the rad was hanging from the two top mounts which can't be good for longevity.
The spacers are available from the TVR specialist over here but I used two pieces of rubber mat folded
over with a whole puched through the midddle. I just added more bits until the top holes lined up with the holes on the body so the top holes just held the rad in place rather than taking the weight.
Not had a problem since.
Good luck.
Paul.
I had a new standard rad leak within two years and found the TVR dealer - no less - had fitted it using about 10 metal washers welded together on each of the top mounts as spacers + no rubber grommets at the bottom, so no flex built in.
The top two mounts should be a bobbin type with a thick rubber middle to allow for flexing with the chassis/body + the bottom pins sitting in the rubber plugs as previously mentioned. Both available from the online parts guys.
I now have the Ali rad fitted with these.
The top two mounts should be a bobbin type with a thick rubber middle to allow for flexing with the chassis/body + the bottom pins sitting in the rubber plugs as previously mentioned. Both available from the online parts guys.
I now have the Ali rad fitted with these.
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