where to get a good rad

[StevenN]

Re Radiator

just spotted this thread and thought I would add this as supplier feedback and quality information.

Bought a replacement Radiator from Slickparts of Oldham/Dewsbury in December.
Thought all was fine until about two months ago when I started loosing water.
I thought that being clever and re using the hoseclips had been my downfall but alas after dropping the bashplate I found that I had leaks from one side of the radiator and where the atf pipes go into the rad.
Phone Slickparts and explained the problem and was told that I would have to return the radiator for inspection and credit.
I replied that I would need a radiator to keep the car on the road and was told that I would have to buy another rad do the swap and return the faulty one for credit.
This is what I had to do.
The new rad was purchased at full price including carriage £149.99
The old radiator was returned at a cost of £8

My credit from slickparts £139.99

So by buying cheap it has cost me two lots of coolant & carriage charges just for the replacement to the sum of £18

Phoned and asked about the difference in the credit as they said on the phone they would cover the carrier costs. I was told to ring back when the boss was in.

Would I recommend them NO!
Will they get any Business from me again NO!

Milners might have a bad track record of old with rads but they at least know the meaning of customer service.
If your pocket stretches to Roughtrax all well and good (quick service and no bar reports on here)

Buyer Beware!!!!

SteveN.

[SimonH]

Replacement radiator

Evening all, just bought and replaced the rad in my Surf. The old one was a bit ratty to say the least, but things car related have been on the back burner for the last few weeks so it's taken until yesterday afternoon to get a new one in.
I bought mine from a guy on ebay who sells under the name 'iezura'. I bought a middle box for my exhaust from him a little while back and the delivery and quality of the part were great so I thought I'd give his rad a go too. The radiator was something like £125 all in and came by next day delivery. From reading the posts here about radiator replacement I thought it would be a piece of p*ss and although it wasn't the hardest thing in the world to do I've learnt a couple of useful little tips on the way.

Unless you've got some decent pliers the spring clips can be a pain in the arse to release, especially from the largest of the hoses. A little trick I thought of was to get two hefty cable ties and wrap them round the two lugs. Have the 'tails' of the cable ties going in opposite directions and then pull steadily apart. The spring clip will gradually be loosened and the best bit is that it will stay loosened as the cable ties lock. When it comes to replacing the hoses just put the clips in the position you want and then cut the ties, simple! (If anyone wants some pics to help just shout and I'll be happy to sort some out)

The other thing is to make sure you've got a few things to block off both the ATF pipes and also the bits of the radiator that the pipes attach to. I sorted out some bolts to push in the end of the pipes but then proceeded to drain the contents of the ATF cooling section of the radiator all over myself and the drive. Nice.

One more thing is that when the new radiator goes back in the hose attachments at the bottom can be a pain and foul on the fan when you lower it in. Be patient and try to adjust the vanes of the fan so it spins round as the rad is lowered. Snapping a fan is a right pain in the arse (at least I imagine it is, I got a bit lucky getting my rad in!).

The other thing I found useful, although it added a little more time to the whole procedure was to remove both batteries and also the expansion tank. This way you can give the expansion tank a proper clean out and not just a quick hose out and also you get a lot more room to reach the lower bolts. Getting the batteries and tank out only takes about 10 mins but it's worth it to ensure you've got a good fit for the new rad.

I'll let you know how I get on with the iezura rad, done about 50 miles so far and it's been perfect. Fingers crossed it carries on this way! Next stop, tyres and tracking (and the other $$$$$$ CV boot I didn't have time to do when I did the other one! Has anyone worked out how to get a good seal with the Roughtrax boot clips? Mine are either too loose or too tight to be able to get on!).

Simon

[stormforce]

Has anyone worked out how to get a good seal with the Roughtrax boot clips? Mine are either too loose or too tight to be able to get on!).

Simon[/quote]

I couldn't get the clips done up on the new one i put on so i just cable tied the big end and jubilee clip the small end

[SimonH]

Cable ties

How are you getting on with the cable ties? Are they holding up ok or looking a bit ropey? When I do the other CV boot if I can't get the clips on I think I'll probably resort to the same method!

[stormforce]

How are you getting on with the cable ties? Are they holding up ok or looking a bit ropey? When I do the other CV boot if I can't get the clips on I think I'll probably resort to the same method!

they've only been on about 4 weeks now and seem to be holding up well at the mo.I did have to join 3 together in order to fit around but i had a look at it earlier and alls ok

[joker??]

gary [wildthing] bought a rad for £140 roughly off ebay from i think a place in barking london seemed well happy with it

[Donk_UK]

THe cheapo i got seems to be great but I think its the test of time that counts. When I went off Mud Surfing at Canford Magna with the boys it didnt move of off cold! ( only on the way there and back it did) Not that I drive like a nancy. In fact everyone keeps telling me to slow down cant hold myself back big muddy puddles bring out the devil in me!