How long should a radiator last?

belfert · February 16, 2010, 09:57:30 AM

Seeing the post about replacing radiators on older MCIs got me thinking about how long a radiator should last.

I have a 1995 with Series 60 and so does John316. I have had to replace my radiator already and it appears John316 may have had to replace his too. My radiator had a bunch of pin holes and I decided to have it replaced. Cooling is way better now. I would not be surprised if the previous owner neglected the coolant.

How long should a radiator last? I don't know of too many 1995 cars with new radiators.

paulcjhastings · February 16, 2010, 12:04:29 PM

I recently replaced the radiator and water pump on our 2003 Dodge Caravan w/170,000ish miles.

Just Dallas · February 16, 2010, 12:37:32 PM

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bevans6 · February 16, 2010, 01:12:34 PM

I have, albeit not bus rads, but car rads that are well over 60 years old that work perfectly and look just fine. I think the key is the driving in the salt spray in the winter... and keeping them clean on the inside with the correct fluid.

Brian

RickB · February 16, 2010, 01:38:53 PM

Brian,

Mine were the originals in my bus and it's a 1981. I have no idea if they were ever recored though.

How's everything on your side of St Paul? I read about John 316 and Clifford driving around down south and I get like a colt in springtime. Just wanna go somewhere without snow.

Hope you're well my friend,

Rick

Just Dallas · February 16, 2010, 02:12:01 PM

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RickB · February 16, 2010, 03:05:52 PM

Dallas,

I'm adding up the fuel costs and trying to justify it to wifey as a trip to see my brother. That's not fair dallas.

Just Dallas · February 16, 2010, 03:33:24 PM

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rv_safetyman · February 16, 2010, 04:24:38 PM

Brian, I think there are really three issues that can result in the need for radiator/core replacement. First is clogging (as in need of being "rodded" out). The second is chemical (perhaps mechanical as in abrasion) where the core develops seeping or small leaks. I believe that both of these can be minimized by using and MAINTAINING the proper antifreeze. I don't want to get started on automotive vs diesel antifreeze debate started again

, but I need to emphasize that the automotive has phosphates the "drop out". Part of the maintenance is keeping the PH level in the correct range. I think that will minimize the chemical erosion.

The other factor that a lot of folks don't know about (I found out the hard way) is decoupling of the fins from the tube. I don't understand the mechanism of the failure, but I had it in spades on my '85 Eagle.

If a person does have to replace the core ($1000 plus), they should feel good about the fact that the new dimpled fin technology is probably 30% better at cooling than the old technology. In addition, they may be able to add a row for more cooling.

That does not answer the replacement cycle. We can extend the life by using the correct fluid, but not sure what we do about the fins coming loose from the tubes.

Jim

belfert · February 16, 2010, 08:10:09 PM

My radiator replacement was really a recore. The tanks got reused. It was still $1700.

My bus is a 1995 so technology in radiator core design probably had not changed too much.

TomC · February 17, 2010, 08:48:28 AM

Just had my radiator in my 1985 Kenworth re-cored for the first time. It is a copper/brass radiator. Increased from 5 row to 6 row to accommodate the Allison Transmission cooler in front of the radiator. They used the end tanks over. The truck has 1,175,000 miles on it. Good Luck, TomC