Reconditioned radiators.

[Niran gomes]

Hi friends,

So i was on the look out for radiators for my Hy Sonata, the one already installed has previously been fitted with a copper tank (comes plastic from factory) and that seems to be leaking pretty bad (Audible hissing sound). a brand new unit of the same costs around 22K at panchi. so before heading out for that, just wanted to get some information on reconditioned units, which are like 12K. 

• How are these reconditioned radiators sourced for sale? (Parted out units or units that have been broken/Leaking and now fixed and sold)
• are these reconditioned radiators reliable? ( im not expecting B/N reliability, but i also dont want to get my self a patched up, ready to explode radiator....i guess thats the catch here!)

so anyone with the knowledge and expertise about these reconditioned units please do leave a comment on what these reconditioned units really are. are they units that have been parted out, or are they ones that have been leaking and patched up? because if its the former, then i am willing to give it a shot. as of now, i just dont feel all that confident on how the term "reconditioned" sounds in our country? your advice is highly appreciated.

thank you all.

[vitz]

7 hours ago, Niran gomes said:

Hi friends,

So i was on the look out for radiators for my Hy Sonata, the one already installed has previously been fitted with a copper tank (comes plastic from factory) and that seems to be leaking pretty bad (Audible hissing sound). a brand new unit of the same costs around 22K at panchi. so before heading out for that, just wanted to get some information on reconditioned units, which are like 12K. 

• How are these reconditioned radiators sourced for sale? (Parted out units or units that have been broken/Leaking and now fixed and sold)
• are these reconditioned radiators reliable? ( im not expecting B/N reliability, but i also dont want to get my self a patched up, ready to explode radiator....i guess thats the catch here!)

so anyone with the knowledge and expertise about these reconditioned units please do leave a comment on what these reconditioned units really are. are they units that have been parted out, or are they ones that have been leaking and patched up? because if its the former, then i am willing to give it a shot. as of now, i just dont feel all that confident on how the term "reconditioned" sounds in our country? your advice is highly appreciated.

thank you all.

No body, even "Waima" cannot grantee the quality of those so called "reconditioned parts". We are living in a part of the world where majority of people go for quick bucks

[Kavvz]

8 hours ago, Niran gomes said:

Hi friends,

So i was on the look out for radiators for my Hy Sonata, the one already installed has previously been fitted with a copper tank (comes plastic from factory) and that seems to be leaking pretty bad (Audible hissing sound). a brand new unit of the same costs around 22K at panchi. so before heading out for that, just wanted to get some information on reconditioned units, which are like 12K. 

• How are these reconditioned radiators sourced for sale? (Parted out units or units that have been broken/Leaking and now fixed and sold)
• are these reconditioned radiators reliable? ( im not expecting B/N reliability, but i also dont want to get my self a patched up, ready to explode radiator....i guess thats the catch here!)

so anyone with the knowledge and expertise about these reconditioned units please do leave a comment on what these reconditioned units really are. are they units that have been parted out, or are they ones that have been leaking and patched up? because if its the former, then i am willing to give it a shot. as of now, i just dont feel all that confident on how the term "reconditioned" sounds in our country? your advice is highly appreciated.

thank you all.

General rule of thumb is to avoid the reconditioned ones. Unless its something rare where finding new parts are an issue, I wouldn't bother with rebuilt radiators...

 (Having said that the last time I replaced a radiator was three years ago, when a birdstrike punched through a gap in the grill and ripped apart the radiator and the A/C core. Mad scene that was...)

[mazdaspeed]

First- have you identified where the leak is  ? is it at the top of the core or at the bottom ?

Second – If your exiting radiator is made of copper, then would it not be possible to simply seal it as it’s much easier   ?If not done already, try taking it to a radiator repair shop – If you are in Nugegoda , there is a good place .

There is no guarantee with recon stuff but I recently had a leak and it was the top plastic part on the top so they replaced it with a new one and it’s been ok thereof. However if the middle part is damaged, then there would be issues.

[Niran gomes]

13 hours ago, mazdaspeed said:

First- have you identified where the leak is  ? is it at the top of the core or at the bottom ?

Top. i saw a patch of fresh coolant which is indicative. this was exactly around the place i heard the hissing sound. im quite positive that the leak is right at the seam.

 

13 hours ago, mazdaspeed said:

If your exiting radiator is made of copper, then would it not be possible to simply seal it as it’s much easier   ?If not done already, try taking it to a radiator repair shop – If you are in Nugegoda , there is a good place .

after seeing this i immediately called radiator house in panchi, they told me that it can be done, i was in doubt because i was under the impression that this particular fixing of the cooper tank is a one time job. but the gentleman at radiator house was quite positive that it can be fixed.

so i will take the radiator to the said place and will see what can be done, i take it that this copper tank fixing also costs quite alot therefore if it can be saved ill be sure to do so.

just one question, you referred to my radiator saying that it was made out of copper, by radiator do you mean the upper tank machan? because that defa is copper but the radiator or Core is aluminum as far as im concerned. (not quite sure of the inner workings of it)

if the upper tank cant be fixed, they also recommended to fix a plastic one, which i think is available in the area as a separate unit. what do you think of that method? how much will that generally cost? (the upper plastic tank)

thanks for the quick reply it helped me out alot an saved me a good amount of money. 

[Sylvi]

Member Niran gomes,

I read advises given by members if you take reply summery, all advice too change with a new one.

I have been using Radiators with copper and  brass tanksr early 1960. I have repaired all of them because they were all copper radiators with brass or copper tanks.

Any repairer can do a satisfactory repair on a Cropper or Brass Radiator top and bottom tanks.

Plastic Radiator core cannot do a satisfactory core repair unless you block the leaking core pipes after removing top tank. Most tanks come with a locking rectangular seal which can be used once or twice only if you use a correct tool to remove that .

This part some times can be aluminum or mild steel locking radiator tank and the core. 

 Water leak repair can be done carefully examining the removed plastic core using only Epoxy which will stand for high temperature and pressure. There is method plastic can be repaired with a special unit which melted plastic can be filled to leaking point and seal the core.

Please note all repaired Radiators will not last long.

If a new Radiator is available do not repair the existing one. Go in for a new one.

Above is the best advice I can give you.

Sylvester Wijesinghe.

Sylvi.

[Niran gomes]

Hi guys,

Just to give a proper ending to this thread to anyone who might find this useful in the future, I went ahead and took the existing radiator apart and the internals were quite corroded. (Probably because previous owners didnt use coolant, but water instead)

therefore after a few scratches on the head, i decided to go ahead and discard the unit and drop in a Brand new one, yes it costs more, but the peace of mind cant be matched by putting in a recon unit. now im sure this will last for quite some time IF properly maintained, 

so guys thank you all for your time and knowledge it sure did help me out alot, so i think for anyone sweeping the forum for recon radiators and their quality, take the expert advice and replace the unit with a brand new one. your car will thank you later. 

Thank you.

[Sylvi]

8 hours ago, Niran gomes said:

Hi guys,

Just to give a proper ending to this thread to anyone who might find this useful in the future, I went ahead and took the existing radiator apart and the internals were quite corroded. (Probably because previous owners didnt use coolant, but water instead)

therefore after a few scratches on the head, i decided to go ahead and discard the unit and drop in a Brand new one, yes it costs more, but the peace of mind cant be matched by putting in a recon unit. now im sure this will last for quite some time IF properly maintained, 

so guys thank you all for your time and knowledge it sure did help me out alot, so i think for anyone sweeping the forum for recon radiators and their quality, take the expert advice and replace the unit with a brand new one. your car will thank you later. 

Thank you.

Niran gomes,

You had examined the Radiator and done the correct thing by replacing with a new one.

Almost  all radiator repairs last only for a short time due to the present day Radiators are pressurized when the engine heat builds up.

During early days Radiators were not filled with contents, they were filled up with water, coolants came few decades back.

Very good to say by mentioning that the thread you started your wish to end.

Sylvester Wijesinghe

Sylvi.