New rad solves head probs ??

[JimH]

Hi there,

only paranoid me again. All being well i will be getting surf this sat. Spoke to the guy in the garage this week ( typical dodgy salesman that i don't trust one little bit ) and told him about my concerns with the head problems on surfs. Asked him about putting tow bar on before i purchased and he said that if i intended to tow then the head could be a problem and to stop that he would change the radiator to a " 4 core " ?? ( think that's what he called it ) and that would solve all potential problems. Does this sound right to you lot. Seems a bit to easy to me and am thinking if it was as easy as that most people would do it and there would be no head problems.

Thanking you for a quick response as times running out and i've got to make a final decision on whether i buy or not.

( if you're wondering, he wouldn't throw the tow bar in for nothing but said he could fit one for £170 all in, does that sound cheap ? )

Cheers.

[Guest]

Hi there,

only paranoid me again. All being well i will be getting surf this sat. Spoke to the guy in the garage this week ( typical dodgy salesman that i don't trust one little bit ) and told him about my concerns with the head problems on surfs. Asked him about putting tow bar on before i purchased and he said that if i intended to tow then the head could be a problem and to stop that he would change the radiator to a " 4 core " ?? ( think that's what he called it ) and that would solve all potential problems. Does this sound right to you lot. Seems a bit to easy to me and am thinking if it was as easy as that most people would do it and there would be no head problems.

Thanking you for a quick response as times running out and i've got to make a final decision on whether i buy or not.

( if you're wondering, he wouldn't throw the tow bar in for nothing but said he could fit one for £170 all in, does that sound cheap ? )

Cheers.

A 4 core rad will be a benefit if he's going to do it, make sure he fits a good one, the more cooling capacity the better.

However if the head's going to go, it'll go, nothing to do with the cooling capacity, just the design on some of the heads. If it isn't going to go then the cooling capacity is just fine really anyway. More improtant when towing would be an auxiliary transmission cooler if it's an auto.

I Know that bundubasher is fitting a 5 core rad to his 3.0TD 4runner but then he is trvaelling through Africa in it so cooling is pretty improtant, for british roads, the standard one if it is clean and performing well is good enough for the job.

I would suggest that the sales guy should get a transmission cooler fitted instead and give you a warranty that covers the head (6 months at least if you can get it out of him).

Liked a lot of the people out there selling surfs he obviously knows precious little about them really.

However if the Surf looks good and you feel the price is right, then go for it. It's a great towing car - a lot of people on here tow substantial caravans, trailers with off road toys etc with theirs.

Cheers

[marky]

hi jim i tow a 21ft Bailey Ranger 1250kg i also have a 2.4 surf no additional transmission cooler and it pulls just fine. you dont feel the weight behind you except on hills but thats what you would expect. i also have no cooling problems either when towing. Once you get the surf routine & regular servicing is all that you need to do. SMILE & ENJOY THE RIDE

[TonyN]

You can get towbars for £80-100 so if your OK with paying £100 to fit it, its OK. Personally I'd DIY.

The rad thing is B/S, a leaking rad will cause the motor to overheat if you let it run out of water, this will then crack the head, but a sound standard rad is fine.

Like has been said, your better of getting him to fit a tranny cooler, you only need a new rad if your one is leaking (quite commen in older cars) but then that should be covered in the warrenty anyway. Look along the top on the rad at the braising on the tank seams, any sign of water leaking/corrosion.

[JimH]

Thanks a lot guys, turns out i wont be getting it anyway as the A"%^hole accidently forgot to tell his boss there was a buyer for it, had a day off and his boss then sold it. Should have left a deposit really but made the mistake of trusting the tw"t.

I'm not bitter really!!