Discussion
Just heard from the garage servicing my car that the radiator fins are rotten but the radiator isn't leaking. How long might the radiator last with rotten fins? could it let go at any time? Would it be wise to bite the bullet and get them to fit a recored one that they have in stock. Supply and fit approx £400 inc.
V8 Devil said:
snippity..........and get them to fit a recored one that they have in stock. Supply and fit approx £400 inc. snip
Just over 2-years ago, same problem.
Open Yellow Pages and used local Radiator Specialist in next Industrial estate, replaced with refurbished item, they fitted it with new Antifreeze - £225 including VAT. No scratches/problems in fitting/removing fans etc.
Yes, fit one from your fiendly TVR "Specialist" , it's your money. But, it's likely to be the same item from any radiator specialist - a Rover Item.
You pays your money !!
Trev McM
Recore for mine was £140.
The radiator is a slightly modified Rover radiator. I think it is the inlet or outlet pipe that is different.
Some breakdown/rot in the matrix should not necessarily be an immediate problem but it will eventually affect the cooling efficiency...probably something to do before the summer.
The radiator is a slightly modified Rover radiator. I think it is the inlet or outlet pipe that is different.
Some breakdown/rot in the matrix should not necessarily be an immediate problem but it will eventually affect the cooling efficiency...probably something to do before the summer.
If the fins are loose the rad will NOT be working efficiently despite it being water tight. The reason that they get loose is not corrosion it is because they have become unsoldered from the core tubes. The next thing that happens is the tubes cook and change colour due to not loosing the heat quickly enough which in turn causes them to leak where they are soldered and can even split in extreme cases. No doubt people will tell you, I had a rad that had loose fins for years etc etc but the truth it it does make a difference to efficiency.
This is not my opinion but the opinion of one of the few suppliers I have had in the motor trade that actually knows his stuff and has never let me down supplying me with custom/modified/standard rads for more years than I care to admit to.
I would re-core it.
This is not my opinion but the opinion of one of the few suppliers I have had in the motor trade that actually knows his stuff and has never let me down supplying me with custom/modified/standard rads for more years than I care to admit to.
I would re-core it.
Ribol said:
If the fins are loose the rad will NOT be working efficiently despite it being water tight. The reason that they get loose is not corrosion it is because they have become unsoldered from the core tubes. The next thing that happens is the tubes cook and change colour due to not loosing the heat quickly enough which in turn causes them to leak where they are soldered and can even split in extreme cases. No doubt people will tell you, I had a rad that had loose fins for years etc etc but the truth it it does make a difference to efficiency.
This is not my opinion but the opinion of one of the few suppliers I have had in the motor trade that actually knows his stuff and has never let me down supplying me with custom/modified/standard rads for more years than I care to admit to.
I would re-core it.
This is not my opinion but the opinion of one of the few suppliers I have had in the motor trade that actually knows his stuff and has never let me down supplying me with custom/modified/standard rads for more years than I care to admit to.
I would re-core it.
how exactly do the tubes cook,the coolant passing thru never reaches boiling point,your scaring the guy,as i said if the fins are missing in a small area theres no problem,of course a rad man is going to say different.
Have bitten the bullet. Phoned around and got a few quotes, but use the car every day so couldn't go the recore mine route. Have had to pay the price.The specialist is fitting it as i type, get her back tomorrow, all tight, cool and lubricated !!!! Just how she should be!!! Can't wait.Thanks for the advice, much appreciated.
Edited by V8 devil on Monday 15th January 17:09
That Daddy said:
How exactly do the tubes cook,the coolant passing thru never reaches boiling point,your scaring the guy,as i said if the fins are missing in a small area theres no problem,of course a rad man is going to say different.
When I say cook I am not saying you would melt the tubes, why do you think the colour of the copper changes when the fins come off?
I am well aware of the effects of a few fins being missing, I explained that earlier.
The rad man does not need to talk me into anything, I did business with him for decades, we are well past the point of having to con each other to make a living.
I am not out to scare anyone, that is how rad cores work - fact, it's the OPs choice who he listens to.
That Daddy said:
Blimey think i need to get out the trade i obviously dont know what im on about.So because he as a few fins missing he needs a new rad,that waterpumps been on there a while maybe he needs a new one of them to,and the thermostat,,,,the hoses...........blah blah blah.
Maybe you do
Cars have been putting food on my modest table for decades and at the risk of sounding like a forum wideboy I might even have picked up a little thing or two along the way. The main thing I have learnt is who to listen to that I have dealt with and which ones know FA and talk cr@p.
I have read many of your posts that would suggest you know your stuff, but trust me Daddy there is never a time in the motor trade you know it all, that applies to all of us.
Easy Guys!! Always better to be safe than sorry. I can see both of your points but felt that as she was being serviced by someone i trust, Fernies, i might as well get it done rather than wait until the thing breaks. I'm not sure how rotten the fins are but i don't like to take risks with my P&J. Cheers, Mike. 
Ribol,i never said i know it all and i never will, thanks for checking out me history,but going back on your previous post i infact do know of various cars,with the lower fins missing from the car with no ill effects on cooling dont forget the rad is bigger than neccesary on most cars including the chim,now its the kind of thing i would flag on a service but theres know way i am going to try to persuade the customer to part with there cash just because some of the fins are rotten,i would only advise that the condition exists.
That Daddy said:
dont forget the rad is bigger than neccesary on most cars including the chim
I dont think thats true, unless you have an exchange engine from Craddocks including the viscous coupled fan (Aye this one'll fit a treat mate :-) HP~=heat. metal body=conductor. fibreglass=insulator. radiator core / alloy upgradees !=idiots.
Dave
Edited by spend on Tuesday 16th January 02:09
That Daddy said:
dont forget the rad is bigger than necessary on most cars including the chim
I'd question that assertion for the Chimaera 500. If your fans fail for any reason the car tends to overheat. That's not indicative of a radiator that is over-specified, it's indicative of one that is barely coping.
JonRB said:
That Daddy said:
dont forget the rad is bigger than necessary on most cars including the chim
I'd question that assertion for the Chimaera 500. If your fans fail for any reason the car tends to overheat. That's not indicative of a radiator that is over-specified, it's indicative of one that is barely coping.
Isn't glass fibre used in loft insulation to keep the heat in
1st of all go back to the original post hes car is a 4.0 not a 5.0 model,and just because fan failure causes the car to overheat does not mean the rad is not bigger enough(name me a passively cooled water cooled car please)it just means theres not enough airflow hence the need for fans when the car is stationary.If the chims rad was not big enough the car would be overheating when moving it dont,neither does the 5.0 (which indicates the rad is working)unless someone says otherwise,oh and someone will.
so the 5.0 chim overheats when moving then?i will grant you the rad is teetering on the edge size wise,im not looking for an argument,the guy originaly asked if having a few fins missing from the rad was a problem,it aint.If it starts to leak then yes it is,fit a rad core whatever.
Edited by That Daddy on Tuesday 16th January 09:16
Edited by That Daddy on Tuesday 16th January 09:18
Gassing Station | Chimaera | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff