BajaNomad

Radiator shops

mojo_norte - 11-27-2012 at 05:02 PM

Anyone have any experience having a radiator hot tanked and rodded out down in Baja? My truck is fine most of the time but lately the gauge is creeping up on really long steep grades. I'm a bit worried about some of the grades North bound . Any recommendations for a radiator shop?

J.P. - 11-27-2012 at 05:12 PM

Most late model trucks, The radiator's are most likely Plastic it's cheaper to dump it and buy a new one.
Most towns in baja have a shop or two it's not rocket science to have one cleaned. If its only heating on long pulls it could be the fan clutch.

mojo_norte - 11-27-2012 at 05:28 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by J.P.
Most late model trucks, The radiator's are most likely Plastic it's cheaper to dump it and buy a new one.
Most towns in baja have a shop or two it's not rocket science to have one cleaned. If its only heating on long pulls it could be the fan clutch.


Hmm - fan clutch - didn't think of that. It's fine in stop and go. fine idling . fine at normal highway speed but if I shut it off after a long steep hill the temp gauge creeps... one time it cooked over a bit from overflow tank. I've replaced the thermostat , radiator cap and did a flush. The radiators OEM plastic tank.

Bajatripper - 11-30-2012 at 08:26 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by mojo_norte
The radiators OEM plastic tank.


Those new plastic radiators aren't designed to be taken apart--although they can be. The plastic tanks are crimped on along the edges and must be "uncrimped," something that probably isn't a good idea with aluminum. It took the guy two tries to get it sealed on our vehicle last summer, and it continued to leak just a little bit until the sealant he put in took hold. A new radiator only cost $65. Now, if I could just get it from Washington to La Paz and install it, I'd have peace of mind.

mojo_norte - 11-30-2012 at 08:55 AM

decided to play it safe and spring for a new one - $129 + tax at Napa (F150) . Easy install.