Radiator Problem: Repair, Fabricate, or replace with OEM?

[suysuy]

I have this Kia Sorento 2009 2.5L EX VGT

Last month, I had overheating problems. Turns out the repaired radiator had leaks already. It's still the original aluminum radiator with bronze upper tank. It was repaired 2 years ago.

I had it repaired for 700 pesos. Installed it back but still, it had leaks. I had it repaired again for 700. After a week, it still had leaks on different parts of the tank. The seams are leaking. Frustrated, I went to a better radiator repair shop and had it repaired for 1500 with overhaul. But this time, I asked for a warranty. The staff gave me one month warranty.

Upon checking kanina, it had a minor leak again, probably a pinhole leak somewhere in the radiator core (sa taas banda were the fins and the tank meet). I'm planning to bring it again to the shop na nag provide sa akin ng warranty.

If this will still leak, I have 4 options.

Option A:

Look for an aftermarket/replacement radiator. I live in Davao City. I scoured every parts store locally and they do not have one for my unit. I'v heard of Evercool brand but they don't have one also for my unit so they need a sample to make one. Since I'm from Davao City, I don't have the time to ship my radiator to Manila, and the cost will be huge.

Option B:

Go to CASA. I called and their estimate is 27k for a brand new original radiator. I'm willing to spend up to 30,000. Since this is original, I can be assured of a problem free radiator. Downside is, if the part is available in Manila warehouse, waiting time will be maybe a week. But if the radiator will be ordered from Korea, it will be 45 days.

Option C:

Fabricate locally. I found a radiator shop that will fabricate a new radiator for me for 12,000 pesos. I think it's very expensive for a fabricated radiator. I'm better off buying a replacement radiator instead, but the issues on Option A exist.

Option D:

Recore. I do not know if this is the same with fabricate. From what I read, a recore is having a new radiator core but the top and bottom tanks will be recycled/reused. I have no idea how much this costs.

So what are your thoughts? Which option is the best for me?

[suysuy]

By the way, this is the picture of my radiator prior to the repair. What I hate the most is the time consuming tanggal kabit procedure. I'm getting pissed already.

[dr. d]

aluminum core radiators require special equipment and skill, to repair.

if i were me, i'd look for a ready-made radiator for my car. ("peerless.")
and i'd probably look for a copper core radiator. it's easier to repair.
if there's no ready-made, i'd ask someone to fabricate one.
re-core is an option. get a copper core replacement.
add more rows? only if it will fit.

the copper versus aluminum radiator pros and cons are in the internet, sir. peruse them and have a headache. heh heh.

good luck.

[suysuy]

Actually they already repaired one of the sides of my aluminum radiator. Yung sa upper part merong butas. The solder is black. I don't know what it's called. Priority ko talaga is cost. Almost 10 years narin tong sasakyan. 110,000km on the odo na. No problems aside sa radiator. One last chance tomorrow, I'll bring it back sa pinaayos ko hopefully it will be fixed for good.

[jick.cejoco]

Galvanic compatibility of aluminum and copper





Ask any knowledgeable electrician, they will tell you it is bad to make electrical connections between aluminum and copper even when it is in dry applications. Let alone with a pseudo electrolyte, water or anti freeze/ coolant.


It wouldn't hurt if you install a grounding wire between the radiator and the battery negative post.

[falken]

Try to inquire with Seiring or Goodgear, they specialize in Korean parts. They have fb.

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[dr. d]

Actually they already repaired one of the sides of my aluminum radiator. Yung sa upper part merong butas. The solder is black. I don't know what it's called. Priority ko talaga is cost. Almost 10 years narin tong sasakyan. 110,000km on the odo na. No problems aside sa radiator. One last chance tomorrow, I'll bring it back sa pinaayos ko hopefully it will be fixed for good.

"if you do the same thing, without changing the conditions, you should expect to have the same results."

that radiator is old. the metal is already thin in many parts. no sooner that you repair one leak, that another one will appear.
replace it, sir.
my opinion.

[mda]

If you can't find quality replacement, I'd rather go with orig kahit mahal.

Para hindi ka na pabalikbalik.

I agree with the doc din hehe.

[jick.cejoco]

Agree.
In aircraft maintenance, there is what we call TCTO or time change technical order. Your car is no exception that after five years and you have paid your car loan, that the vehicle start to need more maintenance cost. The radiator is included in the list of five year items granting the corrosive environment where the car is operated. Anything that goes beyond five years is a bonus. Retire your ageing radiator. You'll save more money that way

[brushless]

With parts like radiator, I simply would not bother repairing it. Too much headache. I'll just order OEM which will assure years and years of headache free. Just have your old radiator repaired while waiting for your new one. It's one month warranty anyway, so by the time it leaks again, your new one arrives. You'll be so happy.

[suysuy]

With parts like radiator, I simply would not bother repairing it. Too much headache. I'll just order OEM which will assure years and years of headache free. Just have your old radiator repaired while waiting for your new one. It's one month warranty anyway, so by the time it leaks again, your new one arrives. You'll be so happy.

Went to casa and they quoted me 21k for the radiator assembly. Ito nalang siguro. Iwas headache. Almost 10 years narin yung original radiator. Normal ba talagang magpalit ng radiator kahit alagang alaga mo yung ride mo?

[baludoy]

^ Bro coolant all the way ba iyong ginamit nyo?

And ask ko na din if better ba ang aluminum replacement na rad? O iyong tanso like evercool & adr ?

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[suysuy]

^ Bro coolant all the way ba iyong ginamit nyo?

And ask ko na din if better ba ang aluminum replacement na rad? O iyong tanso like evercool & adr ?

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After the first repair 2 years ago, straight distilled water. Kaya siguro nabutas kasi nag corrode. But im using 50/50 ngayon. Kakarepair lang ulit kanina and I’m using 50/50. Habang nag aantay parts sa casa. Pwede na. If hindi ulit masira, stock nalang muna yung brand new tsaka na ipalit pag nabutas na ulit.

Not sure ano ang better. Mas mabigat ata ang copper tsaka easier to repair than aluminum. Ang unang bumibigay sa oem rad eh yung plastic tank. That’s why naka convert na sakin yung top tank to bronze. 2 years rin ulit bago nasira. Kaya eto ngayun sakit ulit sa ulo. Better siguro bumili nalang talaga ng bago kesa paulit2x na repair.

[beetlebmble]

Try mo pyesaonline.ph sa fb .. me mga radiators po sila.

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[jaypee10]

hindi kaya masyadong malakas ang pressure ng cooling system mo kaya mabilis mabutas ung rad para magka leak.nagpapalit kanaba ng thermostat mo...ganyan din kasi naging problema ko dati sa civic ko..hightemp siya masyado nun pala palitin na ung thermo switch at thermostat.saka rad fan ko ayun tumino kahit na ilang beses nadin na repair ung rad ko..

[jick.cejoco]

hindi kaya masyadong malakas ang pressure ng cooling system mo kaya mabilis mabutas ung rad para magka leak.nagpapalit kanaba ng thermostat mo...ganyan din kasi naging problema ko dati sa civic ko..hightemp siya masyado nun pala palitin na ung thermo switch at thermostat.saka rad fan ko ayun tumino kahit na ilang beses nadin na repair ung rad ko..

Primo, the pressure can not increase over time, it's the exact opposite. The radiator cap is the pressure regulator of the cooling system and never gets stronger. Even if there was combustion chamber pressure breach to the cooling system, the rad cap still limits it. Simply, the radiator is old, corroded and is not able to hold the normal and designed pressure. Of course, like many posters on the forum, it happened to them.

[beetlebmble]

Guys.. concern din tayo with fellow old cars owners.. yung Toyota red coolant na phase out na ata. Is the current Toyota pink applicable sa pre 2005 na old cars..

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[E@tpc]

Just get a bigger radiator. Dito kasi sa pinas minsan di kinakaya ang init ng stock radiator lang.

[falken]

Guys.. concern din tayo with fellow old cars owners.. yung Toyota red coolant na phase out na ata. Is the current Toyota pink applicable sa pre 2005 na old cars..

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Flush the radiator first before using the new coolant. Do not mix different types of coolants.

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[LN106G]

once a plastic top aluminium radiator conks out, it is still best to change the whole thing. It is also best to put the same OEM coolant the manufacturer placed in your car from the production line to prevent "chemical reaction" with other coolant brands. but it is a different story for copper-based radiators as it can be repaired by most radiator shops. I don't like the idea of putting a brass tank top on an aluminium radiator, depending on how good it was repaired, it can still undergo galvanic reaction leading to corrosion and eventually failure. And you will have your radiator repaired again. Most radiator problems I know of starts usually when the owner changes the OEM coolant with something else he thinks that is better than the OEM....