The bottom of my $400 C&R radiator has been leaking for over a year by the hose. I called and spoke with a former employer and H-T member about it, and he thought it was pressure being introduced into the coolant system. I asked about the 19-21 psi radiator cap, and he said that wasn't the problem. It was just a slow leak. I tried a 16 psi cap and it still leaked. Next came worm drive clamps, then a new hose. Not only did the leak continue, but it got worse. I finally took it to a garage so they could put it up on a lift to see where the leak was coming from. It was the core, so I called C&R (the H-T member doesn't work there anymore) and was told to send it in and "we'll take a look at it." It only cost me $9 to send it with $400 insurance through FedEx on January 4th and the radiator arrived at C&R the next day. I was told 2 day turnaround once they got it. The garage where my car was and is taking up space called me to see what the progress was, so I called C&R. I was expecting them to send me a new radiator, but was informed that the leak had been fixed with epoxy which I wasn't too thrilled about, but was on the way. How durable is this stuff? "It should last you a couple of years." At this point I'm envisioning precision, state of the art repair, despite the use of epoxy.

On the 11th, I found a note on the door from FedEx stating that they attempted to deliver a package and that $102.89 was due C.O.D. I thought it was covered under warranty. Money was never mentioned in our phone conversations. Besides, I never authorized any of this "repair." It was after hours, so I left a message on the guy's voicemail. The next day FedEx left another tag, and the guy at C&R hadn't returned my call. So, I called again and found out he wouldn't be there until Monday, then asked to speak with a manager. After being put on hold for a while, they took down my name and number. No one called. I called back and everyone was gone for the day. Monday morning I called to find out that "the guy" won't be back until the end of the week. I had to talk to someone else, so they finally put me through to another person who agreed to call FedEx and release the radiator on the 16th, but there might be a $25 shipping charge to which I responded that I sent the radiator in the original box and that it would've cost me only $7 with $100 insurance and no FedEx account had I not paid for $400 in insurance. Tuesday goes by - no radiator. Wednesday, I just happened to be home and FedEx shows up at 4pm in need of a signature. The garage is closed, plus I need to re-solder the factory fan clip back on.

Here are the pictures of their work. Notice how they (excuse my French) totally fucked it up. I'm not just talking about fins. The core is bowed on the one side. Does this look like the work of someone who cared that you spent $400 on a radiator? Keep in mind that I spent over an hour with needle nose pliers trying to undo their damage.


In the next 2 shots it appears that the core has ballooned in some of the tubes, crushing the fins.



Look how straight the tubes are on the right compared to the left.


I can't begin to tell you how pissed I am. I have no choice but to put this on my car.

 

time to get a koyo or fluidyne.

 

that's actually very shocking. I always thought of C&R to be at the very top of the radiator food chain in motorsports. Their rads are used extensively in NASCAR and other racing, as well as their gold foil stuff...

 

godspeed ftw

 

well..I don't know if this will make you feel any better..but that 'bowing' is probably from CR pressure testing the unit way beyond spec..so I doubt that it will leak under normal use.

I think they should have given you a reason that it leaked and just gave you a new one. I'm sure you'll never buy a CR product again, eh?

 

I've always thought C&R quality looked kinda crappy for the price. I'm and a die hard Fluidyne man myself. NEVER had a problem with the 5 or 6 I have owned.

I think its outrageous that they tried to make you pay 110$. How old is the radiator? Do you have any kind of receipt from original purchase?

 

Damn that suxs.. I've always thought C&R was over priced. They should have gave you a new radiator or explained what happen..
I have a PWR in my car. I've had it for 3 years still working like a champ..

 

ebay aluminum radiators FTW!!!

they only cost 100-120 shipped and they last.

Until a buddy runs a stop sign and hits a truck, thennnnnnnnn its beat.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by null. &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">time to get a koyo or fluidyne.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Believe it or not, but I've had this happen to a customer's fluidyne radiator as well. Fluidyne fixed it though

 

Honestly for $400 insurance I would've bought a brand new one.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Justin Jones &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">that's actually very shocking. I always thought of C&R to be at the very top of the radiator food chain in motorsports. Their rads are used extensively in NASCAR and other racing, as well as their gold foil stuff...</TD></TR></TABLE>

That's why I bought it. They're supposed to be the best, but maybe the ones they make for our cars aren't the same quality?

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Mr. Helsinki &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">well..I don't know if this will make you feel any better..but that 'bowing' is probably from CR pressure testing the unit way beyond spec..so I doubt that it will leak under normal use.

I think they should have given you a reason that it leaked and just gave you a new one. I'm sure you'll never buy a CR product again, eh?</TD></TR></TABLE>

I figured this was damage from pressure testing, but don't you think over pressurizing it will weaken things more?

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by slow poke &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I think its outrageous that they tried to make you pay 110$. How old is the radiator? Do you have any kind of receipt from original purchase?</TD></TR></TABLE>

I know, isn't that bullshit? It's more than a year old, but he just asked where I bought it and I didn't think there was a problem. The person I finally spoke with to remove the C.O.D. charge told me that C&R doesn't have a warranty because it's a race part.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by PrecisionH23a &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Believe it or not, but I've had this happen to a customer's fluidyne radiator as well. Fluidyne fixed it though </TD></TR></TABLE>

Did they fix it the same way?

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by MidShipCivic &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Honestly for $400 insurance I would've bought a brand new one.</TD></TR></TABLE>

What do you mean by this? I insured it for that much damage, but shipping+insurance only cost me $9.

I've been looking into Ebay radiators. Mishimoto have gone up $100 in price within a few months, so i no longer think they're a deal. Godspeed also looks to be a Chinese radiator with an inflated price for the name. My next radiator is going to be from Ebay. I'm not sure which one to get, though.

 

its not hard to find, just get the right demensions and the thickest one available and ur set.


If ur car needs more cooling than that, look elsewhere for problemes.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Sprockets &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

What do you mean by this? I insured it for that much damage, but shipping+insurance only cost me $9.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

Oh they'll cover up to $400, you confused me.

 

koyo FTW baby !!!!

 

Wow thats terrible service. I cant believe they just didnt swap units. They spent more money in labor glueing this one and then pressure testing it than im sure these units cost them to make new.

What was the $103 COD for? Certainly wasn't for shipping. I bet they tried to charge you for the repair. Any local radiator shop could have done as good or better job at repairing this. Thats ridiuclous.

 

that does indeed look like a CR-ap radiator.. to cr's customer service.. I hate companies that get so big that they forget how they got there.. REAL Customer service goes a long way, which CR obviously lacked in your case..

That epoxy may keep it from leaking in the short term, but will it hold up to the heat cycles and stress over time?? it looks like a bandage fix..

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Muckman &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Wow thats terrible service. I cant believe they just didnt swap units. They spent more money in labor glueing this one and then pressure testing it than im sure these units cost them to make new.

What was the $103 COD for? Certainly wasn't for shipping. I bet they tried to charge you for the repair. Any local radiator shop could have done as good or better job at repairing this. Thats ridiuclous.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Not just terrible service, but a half-assed repair! The $103 was for the repair and shipping. Can you believe the nerve to charge for this?

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 92HB_HB &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">that does indeed look like a CR-ap radiator.. to cr's customer service.. I hate companies that get so big that they forget how they got there.. REAL Customer service goes a long way, which CR obviously lacked in your case..

That epoxy may keep it from leaking in the short term, but will it hold up to the heat cycles and stress over time?? it looks like a bandage fix.. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Have you heard similar stories? It's really disappointing to say the least. I don't think it will last, so I'm just going to buy another radiator now for when it blows.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Sprockets &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Not just terrible service, but a half-assed repair! The $103 was for the repair and shipping. Can you believe the nerve to charge for this?

Have you heard similar stories? It's really disappointing to say the least. I don't think it will last, so I'm just going to buy another radiator now for when it blows.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Sorry to hear your troubles, I too thought C&R would have top notch CS.
The best radiator I've seen in person is PWR; Unsure of its CS, never had any issue with my buddies.

 

Email em a link to this thread. Show em all the business they lost from stupid **** like this. Not that they would care...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Muckman &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Email em a link to this thread. Show em all the business they lost from stupid **** like this. Not that they would care...</TD></TR></TABLE>

If I thought it would make a difference I'd do it, but like you said they wouldn't care.

I didn't have much luck on Ebay. None of the sellers seem that great. I'd like to find a deal on a PWR, Koyo or Fluidyne.

 

id go with PWR. you can get them pretty cheap from ebay or through a retailer

 

mishimoto FTW son

 

damn it really suck for you. I know how you feel. Maybe also look into a PWR radiator if you want to change yours, they also have a really good customer service.

Damn... I cannot understand why they didnt gave you a brand new one... ??? I broked my 150$ fishing rod last summer and I got a new one for free. I bought another one from the same company recently. So it already pay for the one they gave me. Sometimes if you give a little you will get it back...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by rudebwoy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">mishimoto FTW son</TD></TR></TABLE>

WORD!

 

I really don't like the fact that Misimoto jacked their prices up $100. If they still cost what they did a few months ago I'd buy one today.

It all depends on the deal I get, but these are the 3 finalists...PWR 0918, Koyo R1570, Fluidyne FHP-92CIV. I'm leaning towards getting the PWR.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by yellowturbo &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I broked my 150$ fishing rod last summer and I got a new one for free. I bought another one from the same company recently. So it already pay for the one they gave me. Sometimes if you give a little you will get it back... </TD></TR></TABLE>

Exactly. The finish on my 10 or so year old Ray Ban sunglasses started to wear off. I paid them a $12 evaluation and return shipping fee and got new sunglasses.