Radiator Disapointment

[Hedgehog]

During my almost complete rebuild of my '75 naturally the radiator was replaced. Not just as a whim or a desire to drop yet another $200, but because there were at least 3 leaks in the core. Over the years I've used several radiators from Autozone so following tradition The CJ got an Auozone radiator. The Jeep has seen action for about a month now. A couple weeks ago a small puddle, really only a few drops of the ever familiar green fluid appeared under the Jeep.

A small stream of green appeared to be coming from the top radiator hose. "Okay", I tell myself, "the clamp isn't as tight as it could be." The clamp is tight, so I moved it a little and added another clamp. Yesterday, while at Willys Works here in Tucson and noticed yet another pile of green drops. Rob, said that didn't believe a double clamped hose should be leaking. He got out his pressure thingy and we put 15lbs to the system. Sure enough there was a pin hole leak almost under the top hose inlet. A manufacturers defect.

It's not a big deal financially, Autozone replaced the radiator. But what about the ~$20 worth of radiator fluid or the $15 lower radiator hose that had to be cut, and then there's the lost time. I know Whine .... Whine .... Whine .... In my defense, this has been a long expensive road and I'd like to enjoy the Jeep for a while rather that continue working on it.

The real wonder is, will this be a trend, are Autozone radiators becoming unreliable? Have you experienced a similar defect from Autozone lately?

 

[Petescj]

Ive been dissapointed with the quality of there stuff for years. I only go to my local Napa now. Sure the lifetime warranty on the starter is great. But when youve replaced it 4 times...

 

[hole]

I second the Napa vote, I wont shop anywhere else. A lot of their parts have a lifetime warranty too.

 

[mtnwhlr]

The only thing I will buy from Autozone is name brand stuff I think everything else is China . Napa is my store for everything else. I started using Rockauto because of their prices until I bought a new not rebuilt Alt. for my daughters Cherokee and it died in 8 months and it was a major hassel to get it replaced so it has a Napa one on it now.

 

[oss]

check e-bay or amazon I found a welded aluminum radiator for less the auto-zone price shipped to the house.

 

[jdcaples]

+1 for NAPA

 

[Hedgehog]

There are NAPA stores here, but not nearly as many as there were back east. I think there is only one left in Tuscon and another one in Marana, I actually live in Marana a town north of Tucson.

We will see whether this is a trend, the new replacement from Autozone is installed. Lets see if it has any defects. I sure hope not.

 

[GatorBate]

check e-bay or amazon I found a welded aluminum radiator for less the auto-zone price shipped to the house.

I'm going to check out OSS's suggestion. $145 for an aluminum replacement. I replaced my radiator last summer with one that has plastic tanks and was supposed to be 3 core(its not). I noticed it leaking between the tank and core a bit the other day. It stopped after awhile but I no longer trust it.

Any reason not to go with Aluminum?

 

[rufus1138]

advance auto parts for me when i can, i use auto zone exclusively for rxp gas kicker since they're the only place that sells it and its the only fuel additive that does anything.

 

[billyballer]

+1 for the Aluminum. Last time my copper core radiator went out I took it to a shop and they wanted 180 for a rebuild. All the replacements were in that range too. Found an Aluminum one on ebay for $140. Purchased it about 4 years ago and it has been great. It is actually a two core (as opposed to my 3 core copper), the core size is much bigger, and I would say the cooling is even better. The only issue was I had to hog out the brackets a little to make it fit right, but it was only a minor tweak. Aluminum is easy also easy to repair if need be. Paint it black if you want a stock look.

 

[rocmoc]

Performance Radiator at 240 E Fort Lowell Rd, Tucson, AZ 85705, tel # (520) 792-2526 is the Best in Tucson IMHO. They have taken care of my Jeep & Classic Car radiator problems and at the best prices in town. Their repairs are great! No association, just a satisfied customer. They have a website, Performance Radiator but Tucson is just one of their locations.
rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

 

[Mnbluepits]

i dont like napa needed a wiper pump for a 76 chevy went in with the plug to the pump so they open the box and took my plug and and looked to see if the ends match and they didn't . But they wouldn't take the part back cause i installed the plug. i was how in the hell did i install it when it doesn't fit.Well needless to say after i was done they took it back. and i now shop at advance auto parts or O'Reilly Auto Parts both cover lifetime warranty on some of there parts

 

[Turbogus]

The only thing I will buy from Autozone is name brand stuff I think everything else is China . Napa is my store for everything else.

I reckon no parts shop is immune,
A few years ago I was about to get the repairs done on 'Black Betty'. Was kind of tricky getting the lifter valley gasket to stay in place on the 360 but got it done. Dropped the water neck (aka thermostat housing) shattering it on the garage floor and got a eplacement at NAPA (10 miles away) before I began this project. The angle of the new (made in China but with correct part no.) water neck is such that it runs into the &*#$%@ PVC assy and the bypass hose now runs into the vacuum plenum for the distributor. Going back to NAPA today after they open to check if they goofed the part no. They found another one remarking that it may have been misboxed at the distributor, or a return. Took it back home and noting the angle was different I thought it'd be correct, well while the angle was different but not it ran the upper radiator hose into the distributer. Went back to NAPA and they pulled their stock and there were 4 variations all with the same part no. cast into them. Ultimately I went to the boneyard and tore one off an old AMC 304 , cleaned it up, painted it and it's been serving ever since. Since this time, if ever I need a product that I have to rely on, if it says "made in China" I keep looking.