Date:         Thu, 23 Feb 2023 00:49:22 +0000
Reply-To:     Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Subject:      Re: Radiator disappointment
In-Reply-To:  <2065463024.3007366.1677111077017@mail.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8

 Oh yeah....while replacing coolant pipes with SS modern ones, this would also be an excellent opportunity to replace crusty old fuel tank.  And, those janky crossover pipes.  They fail.  Also, fuel tank crud blocks outlet, causing much heartache...like Fuel Pump cavitation.  Dennis H. elaborated on this one time, and solved my issues completely, but I had to learn the hard way.  Yes, the GoWesty philosophy:  Cry once, but do it right.

    On Wednesday, February 22, 2023 at 04:11:17 PM PST, Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@sbcglobal.net> wrote:  
 
  Half of the equation is replacing radiator.  The other half of the equation is replacing those pipes that transmit coolant to radiator.  Many joints subject to failure.  I mean....if you are going to replace radiator with a new one, it sure makes sense to me (while all coolant is drained) to replace those coolant pipes also.  Endless Hot/Cold expansion and cooling cycles.  That is one of the beauties of a Subie conversion....this plumbing retrofit is pretty much standard operating procedure.  For a price of course.

    On Wednesday, February 22, 2023 at 01:46:29 PM PST, OlRivrRat <olrivrrat@comcast.net> wrote:  
 
         Yup,, What Ken said,,, & I’ll add > When You are in control of the situation ~

> On 22 Feb , 2023, at 10:06 AM, kenneth wilford (Van-Again) <kenwilfy@COMCAST.NET> wrote:
> 
> They are a wear item.  I would plan on it sooner rather than later.
> 
> Ken
> 
> On Wed, Feb 22, 2023, 12:01 PM John Rodgers <jrodgers113@gmail.com> wrote:
> 
>> Good to know.
>> 
>> My van is a 91 Carat with 250 k on the radiator. Any time now it could go
>> but I have had no trouble yet.
>> 
>> On Wed, Feb 22, 2023 at 8:41 AM kenneth wilford (Van-Again) <
>> kenwilfy@comcast.net> wrote:
>> 
>>> The Behr units are gone and aren't coming back.  I have people call me or
>>> email all the time asking for them.  Please stop asking, they are gone.
>>> 
>>> However, there is an aftermarket option that we sell which is a copy of
>>> the
>>> Behr unit that is made in Taiwan.  That is the one I sell and recommend at
>>> this point.
>>> I haven't had any issues or failures with them so far.  I have been
>>> selling
>>> them for about three years now.  Here is a link to it:
>>> https://www.vanagain.com/product/vanagon-radiator
>>> 
>>> Let me know if you have any other questions.
>>> 
>>> Ken
>>> 
>>> On Wed, Feb 22, 2023 at 9:18 AM Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com>
>>> wrote:
>>> 
>>>> A failure of the tank to core seal is a very common problem with this
>>>> radiator design. Same for the heater cores. I often wonder how much
>>> money
>>>> and weight is really saved by this design and no way is it a unique
>>> failure
>>>> for the vanagon. What is rare is the passenger side tank assembly has
>>> both
>>>> the feed and return and a common failure is for a crack to develop
>>> inside
>>>> and also coolant to flow from one to the other and not actually travel
>>>> through the core. Some radiators also have transmission and engine oil
>>>> coolers as part of these tanks. These side tanks and seals can also be
>>>> damaged by excessive temperature and pressure or steam flashing. This
>>>> failure can be a symptom of something else being wrong.
>>>> 
>>>> As for radiator brands for year the Behr unit that was probably supplied
>>>> for Vanagons still being built in South Africa was the unit of choice.
>>> The
>>>> Behr "Service" units were actually made in China and al the ones I have
>>>> seen had a different core design, round tubes instead of the oval tubes.
>>>> Similar to what was used in many early water cooled VWs.  This round
>>> tube
>>>> core radiator has noticeably less cooling capacity especially when using
>>>> air conditioning. I have one in Fun Bus and it just doesn’t work well in
>>>> hot weather with AC.
>>>> 
>>>> Lately I have been using units branded Spectra. This is what you have in
>>>> your 85. I have had a few fail on install, usually pin hole core leaks.
>>>> They perform as well as the OEM and are usually readily available.  As
>>> for
>>>> longevity have not seen any failures except for those immediately on
>>>> install. As for warranty that will be up to the supplier.
>>>> 
>>>> While we like to think that once a radiator is a long life item it often
>>>> is not. There are many variables that can cause failure. Radiators used
>>> to
>>>> be very expensive and there was an industry built up to repair them.
>>> This
>>>> is till common for trucks and industrial equipment. My motorhome needed
>>> a
>>>> radiator at around 60K and that was an $1,800 plus 25 hours install and
>>> 20
>>>> gallons of coolant event. Our 2012 Jetta had a radiator replaced while
>>> the
>>>> car was still under warranty. My 91 now needs another heater core. These
>>>> things failing is just part of the vehicle ownership experience!
>>>> 
>>>> Dennis
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com> On Behalf Of
>>> Eric
>>>> Caron
>>>> Sent: Tuesday, February 21, 2023 10:28 PM
>>>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>>>> Subject: Radiator disappointment
>>>> 
>>>> Well folks,  I’d love your recommendations for a new radiator.
>>>> 
>>>> My 84 seemed60 to have a leaky hose but it wasn’t.  It is the radiator
>>>> itself leaking along the seam where plastic and metal come together.  A
>>>> drip every 3 seconds or so under pressure.
>>>> 
>>>> Radiator is just 3 years old with 16,000 miles on it.
>>>> 
>>>> I’d love to hear your thoughts on where I might get one that has a
>>> better
>>>> chance of lasting.  I don’t know the brand of this one.
>>>> 
>>>> Tips greatly appreciated.
>>>> 
>>>> Eric Caron
>>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> --
>>> Thanks,
>>> Ken Wilford
>>> John 3:16
>>> www.vanagain.com
>>> 
>>