Radiator sense check

[Zephyr Speedshop]

Even everyone. I'm having a discussion with the supplier of my Ali radiator, Over it's function. Struggled with it over heating on track yesterday in sub 10° weather.

It's been fine on the road. However I believe it should be a dual pass, and that it should have a baffle in the end tank. Otherwise it won't be very effective.
The supplier is arguing that when the system is pressurised it will use the full core and function, and it's a bleeding/setup issue.

Here's how I think it should be




passed a chord through the end tank to show the missing baffle.





This is from there own website, but I'm sure they will argue it's a stock image. It shows the weld for the baffle



So am I talking out my arse an it is a setup issue or am I right and coolant is taking the path of least resistance?

Edited by Zephyr Speedshop on Tuesday 21st January 19:30

[Hondapower]

I had exactly the same problem with a custom alloy radiator a few years ago. When I pointed out the mistake to the builder they apologised, took it back and added it the baffle.

Lucky for me I spotted the problem before installing, while washing it out.

There's no way water will go through the core if it can just take the shortest route though a single end tank.

[Maxdecel]

You must be right, if the bottom hose was in the other tank it would be fine.

[GreenV8S]

Zephyr Speedshop said:

The supplier is arguing that when the system is pressurised it will use the full core and function

The supplier is either an idiot, or doesn't understand what you're telling him.

If both hoses are connected to the same header tank without any baffle between them then the coolant will pass directly along the header tank without any significant flow through the matrix.

[Richard-D]

You couldn't have made it any clearer. The picture showing the string passing the string through the end tank puts it beyond question. I wonder if the person you bought it from farms this work out as they really should have understood with that evidence.

[Zephyr Speedshop]

Cheers guys I thought I was going mad for a second there.

There responses are very odd initially very dismissive, then aske to to confirm the baffle was missing.

But now saying it won't effect it


'I hope you are well

Thank you for confirming this for us

I have raised this for the team and they have stated that this is correct and will be like this as the hole in the middle is for the temp sensor so will need water to be running through for this. However the coolant will not just go down the quickest way as the coolant system is very pressurised so the water will flow through the whole radiator

I hope this helps clarify here'

This is there response after sending the photos of the open endtank. Its a relatively easy for me to put a slit in the side and weld a plate in the tank., but thats not the point it should be sorted out or replaced by the supplier.

I've sent them multiple photos of dual pass rads and more photos of there own listing on there website. So hopefully they sort it out.

[GreenV8S]

Their response is nonsense - the person who wrote it clearly has no idea how cooling systems behave.

[TwinKam]

GreenV8S said:

Their response is nonsense - the person who wrote it clearly has no idea how cooling systems behaveanything works.

FTFY

[GreenV8S]

If that was me, I'd respond in writing

• state that the parts are faulty and describe the fault
• give a summary of your discussions with them so far
• assert your rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2015
• give them an opportunity to rectify the fault
• inform them that if the fault isn't rectified in a reasonable time you will exercise your right to a refund
• tell them what you consider a reasonable time

Citizens Advice has quite a lot of guidance about how to assert your rights.

[stevieturbo]

Zephyr Speedshop said:

Cheers guys I thought I was going mad for a second there.

There responses are very odd initially very dismissive, then aske to to confirm the baffle was missing.

But now saying it won't effect it


'I hope you are well

Thank you for confirming this for us

I have raised this for the team and they have stated that this is correct and will be like this as the hole in the middle is for the temp sensor so will need water to be running through for this. However the coolant will not just go down the quickest way as the coolant system is very pressurised so the water will flow through the whole radiator

I hope this helps clarify here'

This is there response after sending the photos of the open endtank. Its a relatively easy for me to put a slit in the side and weld a plate in the tank., but thats not the point it should be sorted out or replaced by the supplier.

I've sent them multiple photos of dual pass rads and more photos of there own listing on there website. So hopefully they sort it out.

Their response from their "team" seems pretty good English for what is clearly a junk Chinese piece. Well at least, that is what one might expect.

As everyone has said, they are clearly quite utterly clueless, beyond clueless.

It would be a relatively easy fix, but if they are that clueless....I'd be cautious about the quality of the core itself, and any welding.

Quite amazing how anyone involved in making such parts, could be so utterly F'ing clueless about how they work.

[Zephyr Speedshop]

So I've been away for most the week. Got back this afternoon.

I did abit more digging. This explains why it was working on the road just coincided with the track action.




3 crappy tacks in the corners although it's a Chinese rad otherwise this is quite a nice piece and comes from a UK supplier with reasonable reputation.

They have now agreed to replace it and let me keep the old one. So as I don't have a huge amount of faith that the new one won't have the same issue.








I'm not Instagram worthy but that should be water tight I'll pressure test it tomorrow and get it back on the car.

[Maxdecel]

Zephyr Speedshop said:

So I've been away for most the week. Got back this afternoon.

I did abit more digging. This explains why it was working on the road just coincided with the track action.

Is that an errant blanking plate in the outlet ? Nice welding btw.

[Zephyr Speedshop]

Maxdecel said:

Zephyr Speedshop said:

So I've been away for most the week. Got back this afternoon.

I did abit more digging. This explains why it was working on the road just coincided with the track action.

Is that an errant blanking plate in the outlet ? Nice welding btw.

Yeah that the baffle they initially told me it doesn't need or come with

And it's pretty rough but thanks Anyway

[stevieturbo]

Zephyr Speedshop said:

Yeah that the baffle they initially told me it doesn't need or come with

And it's pretty rough but thanks Anyway

That bit seems completely and utterly pointless

[Maxdecel]

Zephyr Speedshop said:

Yeah that the baffle they initially told me it doesn't need or come with

And it's pretty rough but thanks Anyway

BUT the TEAM stated it was correct At least you've got a result if a little drawn out and a spare.
I've never welded Ally, know a couple of fabricators/car builders and always look at their products with envy.

[Zephyr Speedshop]

Maxdecel said:

Zephyr Speedshop said:

Yeah that the baffle they initially told me it doesn't need or come with

And it's pretty rough but thanks Anyway

BUT the TEAM stated it was correct At least you've got a result if a little drawn out and a spare.
I've never welded Ally, know a couple of fabricators/car builders and always look at their products with envy.

I was the same always looked on with envy. So I bought a AC/DC tig set a few months back, And started mucking about with it.

[E-bmw]

Zephyr Speedshop said:

I was the same always looked on with envy. So I bought a AC/DC tig set a few months back, And started mucking about with it.

Something I have often considered, do you have a link to the one you bought?

[Zephyr Speedshop]

E-bmw said:

Zephyr Speedshop said:

I was the same always looked on with envy. So I bought a AC/DC tig set a few months back, And started mucking about with it.

Something I have often considered, do you have a link to the one you bought?

empire welding in Chichester, not too far from my work were doing deals on XTT212DI,

https://parweld.com/xtt-di/?playlist=46871421&...