Cheap Radiators

jeeperjohn

NAXJA Forum User
Location
Temecula, CA
I just bought a replacement for the China made radiator I bought about a year ago and the replacement is a POS. I thought I could save some money and buy a china made all aluminum radiator for better cooling but the lack of quality is really not worth the hassle. The thing is made of rather thin material and the filler neck is so weak it was damaged in shipping even though it had stuffing in the package. There is welding flash (clumps of metal from piss poor welding/quality control) inside the outlet partially blocking the outlet. The old one sprung a leak where one of the tubes goes into the tank. I must say this radiator could dissipate some heat but I would rather have the reliability of the copper brass even if it is not quite as efficient. I could get a US made all aluminum radiator with a lifetime warranty for $600-700 but I is po' so it's cheap shit for me for now. I have learned (or not) this lesson before, saving a buck is not really saving a buck. Let my experience be a warning to everyone else, if it's made in China, it should stay in China!
 
There is a Visteon aluminum rad for the XJ that I've had good luck with. Deathvalley, Calico, Sierras, and a 35 mph collision and it still don't leak.
I could look up the part number after work.
 
how bout just another stock one from the junkyard?
Stock really won't suit my needs. The aluminum ones (even the cheap ones) dissipate significantly more heat than a copper brass one. The 3 core copper brass is the minimum capability I can get by with. BTW I picked my bro's TIG welder today so maybe I can fix the one I have but for the right price I would look at a better quality aluminum one.
 
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