Radiator disintergating after 4 years

This probably should not happen...

Err, No, probably made of recycled beer cans!

I think you have probably purchased a very poor quality pattern radiator, bite the bullet and get a decent one, or find a corolla in the scrappy that has had a rear end. Just flush it through well first.

Andy

Stick it in the Vise boy! =================== Teddy Rubberford (The Man In The Latex Suit)

IMO, just buy another but BETTER QUALITY radiator, drop it in, problem solved. I mean, I've changed em out before. Slight PIA, but not brain surgery.

Lg

Stop buying auto parts made in thirld world countries.

Go to your local radiator specialist and get a recore - cheaper than a new rad and usually better quality.

Cheap doesn't have to be crap though. Many of our peers are familiar with Auto Radiator Services at Caddington. If you can get over there it'll be time and money well spent - although he's certainly not expensive.

This is what you get for buying Chinese (or other 3rd-world) crap instead of OE-quality parts.

Do you live in an area where they use salt on the roads in the winter? If so, that's your problem. Salt will ruin an unprotected rad in short order.

Dan

And if you live in a dusty area, abrasion ( sand blasting in effect ) will ruin your radiator in short order. The faster you go, the dirtier the air, the more rapid the abrasion.

If/when I have to replace mine, I think of it as a disposable commodity. It is the part of the engine that takes the worst hit and you know it is going to rot from the inside out, and wear from the outside in. Given that, don't feel so bad about it. Some things you can't do anything about.

I would just buy another one, and put aside some time for installing it.

Lg

Where did you buy this radiator??

A repaint may slow the decomposition. But it is not a problem until is it becomes a problem. If it cools okay, use it until it fails.

If it is in warranty, claim against it.

Shitteaux aluminum radiators are born to fail.

Get an all metal (no plastic tanks on the sides) American made radiator next time.

The shipping on that to the UK's going to be a bit prohibitive.

Er, since when have the Yanks actually made better car parts than anyone else anyway? Electrically they're a disaster area!

If you notice, it's the metal bits that are failing on the OP's radiator, not the plastic.

Chris Bolus ( snipped-for-privacy@FARINAb0lus.com) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying :

He's a 'merkin. You expect comprehension skills?

I can't see many 'merkin companies making rads for cars not sold over there (like the majority of UK-reg cars) anyway.

The message from scott snipped-for-privacy@my-deja.com contains these words:

Oh, yeah, right. They'll have one for my elderly Montego right off the shelf.

Move inland away from the salt laden sea breezes. Barring that, Rinse the radiator fins with fresh water on a regular basis.

As for your old radiator, replace it, you are losing much of the cooling capacity of the radiator with the fins turning into powder. Been there, overheated that.

Erich

many thanks for all responses. regarding the above post why would a reconditioned one be; ' usually better quality' , please?

The message from "jw 1111111" contains these words:

Recore isn't reconditioning. It's replacing the entire matrix, just reusing the end tanks. They're often done by experienced capable people who do a proper job using good quality materials.

Many thanks for responses. Although i could get to Luton it is a bit far from north london. Dont suppose you or anyone might be able to recommend somwhere a bit more central to London, please? Many thanks john west