Why is my TJ ruining radiators?

WLDRIDE

WLDRIDE

WLDRIDE
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Oct 12, 2019
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SouthCentral Colorado
Several weeks ago, the radiator that was in my TJ when I purchased it from the PO began leaking while on a wheeling trip. We cut the trip short and came home. I had a new radiator installed by the local shop. They put in a radiator from O'Reilly's. Two or three weeks later this radiator cracked (or split a seam or something). I took it back and they waranteed it and replaced it with the same radiator. Two weeks later it also failed in the same way.

The engine never overheats. The radiator never leaks or sucks down coolant in the reservoir. But then, early in the morning, after the engine has warmed up, the radiator suddenly leaks heavily and drips coolant off the bottom of the radiator. SO, this failure of the radiator is happening as it cools down overnight. This happened with both of the new radiators.

The guys at the shop, who are generally very knowledgable, can't figure it out. And, they've put this same radiator in several other Jeeps recently with no problems. So, my TJ is doing something to expand or contract the radiator in a way it's not supposed to (I think).

What's going on? Thanks!
 
Jerry Bransford said:
Store brand radiators have a terrible reputation, shame on the shop who installs them.
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I wouldn't say shame on the shop. Outside of a dealer, not another shop in my area would put in a Mopar radiator. They typically don't like come backs, so they'll usually go with something that has worked for them before, which would include after market radiators. The fact that they replaced it under warranty says they are a decent shop. To be clear, I'm not agreeing with what they put in, but I wouldn't point a finger at them either.
 
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Jerry Bransford said:
Store brand radiators have a terrible reputation, shame on the shop who installs them.
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Depends if the shop warranties their work. If they do, they don't want a come back at all. The few bucks they saved on a cheap radiator won't even begin to cover a warranty replacement with even a free part.
 
mrblaine said:
Depends if the shop warranties their work. If they do, they don't want a come back at all. The few bucks they saved on a cheap radiator won't even begin to cover a warranty replacement with even a free part.
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As has been said many times, warranties don't get you home. :)
 
Irun said:
I wouldn't say shame on the shop. Outside of a dealer, not another shop in my area would put in a Mopar radiator. They typically don't like come backs, so they'll usually go with something that has worked for them before, which would include after market radiators. The fact that they replaced it under warranty says they are a decent shop. To be clear, I'm not agreeing with what they put in, but I wouldn't point a finger at them either.
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I agree. I've never had issues with an aftermarket radiator until I had a TJ with one. And even if the radiators are crappy, they probably aren't failing in 2 weeks on every TJ they're being installed on.

As much as I like to recommend it, I'd hate to suggest an expensive mopar radiator and have that one bust open in 2 weeks like the others.

Are there any mods to the front end that might change the rigidity of the grill and the way it moves as the chassis flexes over terrain? Pre-JK Wranglers were quite unique in the structure of the front end when compared to how most other vehicles are put together.
 
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I just put a new radiator in a 1998 tj and found a mopar one for a little over $200 shipped. I decided I would gladly pay double the price of an aftermarket for the reassurance of it lasting another 20 years
 
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WLDRYDE said:
Several weeks ago, the radiator that was in my TJ when I purchased it from the PO began leaking while on a wheeling trip. We cut the trip short and came home. I had a new radiator installed by the local shop. They put in a radiator from O'Reilly's. Two or three weeks later this radiator cracked (or split a seam or something). I took it back and they waranteed it and replaced it with the same radiator. Two weeks later it also failed in the same way.

The engine never overheats. The radiator never leaks or sucks down coolant in the reservoir. But then, early in the morning, after the engine has warmed up, the radiator suddenly leaks heavily and drips coolant off the bottom of the radiator. SO, this failure of the radiator is happening as it cools down overnight. This happened with both of the new radiators.

The guys at the shop, who are generally very knowledgable, can't figure it out. And, they've put this same radiator in several other Jeeps recently with no problems. So, my TJ is doing something to expand or contract the radiator in a way it's not supposed to (I think).

What's going on? Thanks!
Click to expand...
I hate to say it but I'm thinking it's just terrible luck. I've had good experience with store brand radiators in the past and also my current one from Griffin. See if you can get the shop to switch brands or sources for the next one? It's a blessing that they're taking care of you on the warranty end.
 
mrblaine said:
They also don't pay the bills. No shop I have ever been around likes working for free.
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Well said , not having the job come beats the best warranty all day. I put more into my remodel jobs where I know it reduces call backs.
 
BUT, discussions of good and bad radiator brands, good and bad shops, and warrantees aside... any ideas on why my TJ might do this other than just bad luck?
freedom_in_4low said:
I agree. I've never had issues with an aftermarket radiator until I had a TJ with one. And even if the radiators are crappy, they probably aren't failing in 2 weeks on every TJ they're being installed on.

As much as I like to recommend it, I'd hate to suggest an expensive mopar radiator and have that one bust open in 2 weeks like the others.

Are there any mods to the front end that might change the rigidity of the grill and the way it moves as the chassis flexes over terrain? Pre-JK Wranglers were quite unique in the structure of the front end when compared to how most other vehicles are put together.
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No, no mods like that. It still has the stock front bumper. And, because the shop is a good one, and stands behind their work, I know that they won't want to just do the same thing a third time without figuring this out first.
 
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Jerry Bransford said:
As has been said many times, warranties don't get you home. :)
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I am sitting in the bar, reading forum on my phone and drinking Montenegro vodka with bunch of locals I have few words on common.
Vodka taste like a 99% tequila, but trying to argue with locals otherwise is like arguing with Jerry on this one
that his statement is wrong...

I hate OEM. I have been replacing every OEM parts on all of my pre-jeep cars religiously, unless it has been proven otherwise.
Jeep OEM radiator, as well as heat cores, is one of those things I don't fuck with. Yes it goes out way sooner than any othe brand, but it will outlast every other aftermarket garbage 3 fold.
Pay once - cry once as the saying goes
 
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Surly the answer cant be because its not OEM? 2 radiators in a short time span of 5 weeks splitting in the same place not including the original that went out first.
Unless its a bad batch of poorly manufactured radiators I dont think the fitter can just keep fitting new ones under warranty?
 
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