Radiators gone :(
Discussion
Just about the only original thing left on the car, so not suprising really, The seams down either side had gone and steam was coming out and spraying a fine mist on my windscreen.
So i took it to get fixed temporarily while i get a new one made, because the oxidisation was very bad inside, which is affecting my cooling power.
Seems the lifespan of the radiator is about 20k miles, while i was taking it off i also noticed my power steering pipe had gone all spongy so gave it the bend test and sure enough it split, so i dont think there are any pipes left to replace now.
Anyway, the radiator is being custom made by the same guy that did my intercooler so i have choices, do i get the new one made exactly the same core and tank sizes? or i have a choice of core sizes, would it be ok to go for a bigger core/thicker core?
What would the effects be of going bigger, would it affect the pressure system?
To be honest i think a new radiator the same size as original will do a good job as it will transfer heat alot better due to being new, the oxidization on the old one must be affecting heat transfer badly.
Any advice would be appreciated, i have been quoted 550 euro for a new one, is taht price ok compared to buying one from the UK?
So i took it to get fixed temporarily while i get a new one made, because the oxidisation was very bad inside, which is affecting my cooling power.
Seems the lifespan of the radiator is about 20k miles, while i was taking it off i also noticed my power steering pipe had gone all spongy so gave it the bend test and sure enough it split, so i dont think there are any pipes left to replace now.
Anyway, the radiator is being custom made by the same guy that did my intercooler so i have choices, do i get the new one made exactly the same core and tank sizes? or i have a choice of core sizes, would it be ok to go for a bigger core/thicker core?
What would the effects be of going bigger, would it affect the pressure system?
To be honest i think a new radiator the same size as original will do a good job as it will transfer heat alot better due to being new, the oxidization on the old one must be affecting heat transfer badly.
Any advice would be appreciated, i have been quoted 550 euro for a new one, is taht price ok compared to buying one from the UK?
david.mt said:
Hi - the Pro Alloy radiator is only £415+VAT and delivery so is a similar price but for a tried and tested known bit of quality kit.
There is also a Noble group buy at the moment so you will probably get a good discount if you call and speak to Wayne directly.
i,ve got one of these coming and i've heard the quality and performance is very very good . There is also a Noble group buy at the moment so you will probably get a good discount if you call and speak to Wayne directly.
mrdemon said:
Group buy was on intercoolers,
and if you bought a intercooler you got 20% off a rad at the same time.
That won't bother Wayne - I missed the last breather GB but Wayne was great and discounted that and then some other parts. Just give him a call and I am sure he will oblige.and if you bought a intercooler you got 20% off a rad at the same time.
I have one sat in my garage at the moment - the quality is first rate and it looks too good to hide under the front clam.
Urbalizer said:
Seems the lifespan of the radiator is about 20k miles,
I really dont beleive thats the case, mines done twice that mileage and almost all the car is original includng the rad... I think once you start modding the car the lifespan of std parts reduce, but thats true on most cars.andygtt said:
Urbalizer said:
Seems the lifespan of the radiator is about 20k miles,
I really dont beleive thats the case, mines done twice that mileage and almost all the car is original includng the rad... I think once you start modding the car the lifespan of std parts reduce, but thats true on most cars.JLSELAN said:
andygtt said:
Urbalizer said:
Seems the lifespan of the radiator is about 20k miles,
I really dont beleive thats the case, mines done twice that mileage and almost all the car is original includng the rad... I think once you start modding the car the lifespan of std parts reduce, but thats true on most cars.Adrian W said:
JLSELAN said:
andygtt said:
Urbalizer said:
Seems the lifespan of the radiator is about 20k miles,
I really dont beleive thats the case, mines done twice that mileage and almost all the car is original includng the rad... I think once you start modding the car the lifespan of std parts reduce, but thats true on most cars.Mine also had regular service intervals and coolant changes, in fact i have changed the coolant and flushed the system more times than i care to remember.
Mike Tuckwood whilst doing his latest build also reported oxidization on all the aluminium pipes on the coolant system, my leak was very minor, when testing at 1.5 bar filled with boiling water, fine mist of spray appeared from the small hairline fractures in the seams, so we opened it up to see about rewelding the seams and changing the core but the oxidization was so bad internally it was only a matter of time before something else on the radiator popped.
Its more about effieciency for me, once it is badly oxidized like that, it loses its ability to transfer heat properly. Unless you have carried out an override on the ECU program that tries to hold the water temp needle at 90, then it would be difficult to tell if you are getting creep on temp, which is a sign of deteriorating radiator.
I guess other people are lucky, but in my experience most of the coolant system is on its way out before 20k miles, including the plastic header tank.
Mike Tuckwood whilst doing his latest build also reported oxidization on all the aluminium pipes on the coolant system, my leak was very minor, when testing at 1.5 bar filled with boiling water, fine mist of spray appeared from the small hairline fractures in the seams, so we opened it up to see about rewelding the seams and changing the core but the oxidization was so bad internally it was only a matter of time before something else on the radiator popped.
Its more about effieciency for me, once it is badly oxidized like that, it loses its ability to transfer heat properly. Unless you have carried out an override on the ECU program that tries to hold the water temp needle at 90, then it would be difficult to tell if you are getting creep on temp, which is a sign of deteriorating radiator.
I guess other people are lucky, but in my experience most of the coolant system is on its way out before 20k miles, including the plastic header tank.
If its not rubber mounted then that explains why its needing replacing so quickly for some.
The thing is, I have also heard that the engine needs a rebuild at 30k and that the gearboxs are worn out by 20k etc etc... There are 5-600 of these cars out there and I dont beleive if you did a proper survey that the odd failure here and there adds up to the norm.
or has everyone had these failures and are keeping quiet about it?
The thing is, I have also heard that the engine needs a rebuild at 30k and that the gearboxs are worn out by 20k etc etc... There are 5-600 of these cars out there and I dont beleive if you did a proper survey that the odd failure here and there adds up to the norm.
or has everyone had these failures and are keeping quiet about it?
andygtt said:
If its not rubber mounted then that explains why its needing replacing so quickly for some.
The thing is, I have also heard that the engine needs a rebuild at 30k and that the gearboxs are worn out by 20k etc etc... There are 5-600 of these cars out there and I dont beleive if you did a proper survey that the odd failure here and there adds up to the norm.
or has everyone had these failures and are keeping quiet about it?
There are threads on here weekly where people find the same problems over and over, not really classed as failures in most cases, sometimes problems are spotted during maintenance, but i have seen a lot of threads with coolant system problems and leaks springing up, JNM say it is the most common fault they get repairs for, pipes ballooning/splitting, once they are replaced for better quality they last a lot longer.The thing is, I have also heard that the engine needs a rebuild at 30k and that the gearboxs are worn out by 20k etc etc... There are 5-600 of these cars out there and I dont beleive if you did a proper survey that the odd failure here and there adds up to the norm.
or has everyone had these failures and are keeping quiet about it?
Again with gearbox not always a failure, but when it starts getting a bit noisy and difficult to get into 2nd gear this is usually a sign to get a refurb, although there are many threads where 5th gear has shattered.
I dont think people are keeping quiet, these are the most common faults reported on these forums. At some point in time every Noble will encounter the same problems.
Once you start disturbing things then the faults show up, i.e. moving a coolant pipe out of the way or taking one off and reconnecting, and hose clips start to cut through the rubber or splits appear, the problems are always there just waiting to happen.
Is your radiator rubber mounted from factory? They normally just get bolted through to the splash guards, i think what Adrian is saying, is to rubber mount the new radiator to protect it.
Engines dont need a rebuild at 30k, this is only required if you want to keep your car running optimally, they start to lose power after 30k miles thats all.
With the exception of the exhaust and a stereo mine is standard, Ive done 30kmiles in the last year and half and yet I expect mine is close to the least pampered of all the nobles out there, i dont even clean it myself... I treat it as if it was a mondeo lol
Car still drives like it did when I got it though (with 11k on it) and I trust it... in fact i just got back from a 1000mile run to amsterdam for work!
Maybe Im just lucky!
Car still drives like it did when I got it though (with 11k on it) and I trust it... in fact i just got back from a 1000mile run to amsterdam for work!
Maybe Im just lucky!
david.mt said:
Hi - the Pro Alloy radiator is only £415+VAT and delivery so is a similar price but for a tried and tested known bit of quality kit.
There is also a Noble group buy at the moment so you will probably get a good discount if you call and speak to Wayne directly.
Great looking, but not the most thermal efficient in polished ? silver. Surley matt black is the most thermal efficient colour to radiate heat away ? There is also a Noble group buy at the moment so you will probably get a good discount if you call and speak to Wayne directly.
Cheers,
Ian
andygtt said:
With the exception of the exhaust and a stereo mine is standard, Ive done 30kmiles in the last year and half and yet I expect mine is close to the least pampered of all the nobles out there, i dont even clean it myself... I treat it as if it was a mondeo lol
Car still drives like it did when I got it though (with 11k on it) and I trust it... in fact i just got back from a 1000mile run to amsterdam for work!
Maybe Im just lucky!
Yep, I have 32K on mine and I dont even have a new radio and exhaust it is that standard and it drives great and seems to be reliable, goes out in all weather, regularly usedCar still drives like it did when I got it though (with 11k on it) and I trust it... in fact i just got back from a 1000mile run to amsterdam for work!
Maybe Im just lucky!
3rtt said:
Surley matt black is the most thermal efficient colour to radiate heat away ?
Cheers,
Ian
Black absorbs heat, not reflects it. The colour would only be affected to heat acting on it externally, and in turn it is usually light that has this affect, not heat. In this case the heat source is from within.Cheers,
Ian
Gadgeroonie said:
(a bit off topic)
aparently in the desert it is best to wear a black robe rather than a white one !
I think depends upon whether you want to keep cool in the sun or the shade and also more importantly what is worn underneath. I believe that religion and other issues are also prevalent in the wardrobe of desert living people and that the clothing attire of a distant population has little bearing on the thermal statistics of a Noble radiator aparently in the desert it is best to wear a black robe rather than a white one !
.(back on topic)
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