How common is it for a new radiator to leak?

[jonathon]

I just yanked my new leaky radiator and am waiting to go down to town to exchange it.. I should've done it in the napa parking lot

I paid the extra for a brass and copper one and it didn't even make it 5 days before it started leaking at the core

 

[4X4HIGH]

Is it properly mounted with the rubber isolator pads in place?

 

[dyeager535]

Not heard of new ones leaking, at least not common, but it's probably made in China, so....

 

[toomany]

Is the cap leaking? I've seen them leak past the cap and run down the tank.

 

[jonathon]

rubber mounts were in place and everything.. it was hecho en mexico leak was coming from dead center and the fan was blowing anti-freeze all over the place.

 

[dyeager535]

The cores are not real stout, it's very possible someone nicked it while building it. I accidentally put a screw through my new radiator installing something, I know the feeling lol.

 

[ilikemud]

unfortunatly i see it often. im a mechanic, ive replaced radiators for a leak then the car had an over heating issue. (only a few of the rows were open) have had them leak, had internal transcoolers leak into the coolant. remanufactured alternators and starters are hit and miss sometime too... sorry for the bad run of luck i know i hate doing a job twice due to junk parts...

 

[jonathon]

Well, I got it exchanged.. all they could get shipped to the store was the plastic/aluminum combo.. got it swapped it..

AND IT FOCKING LEAKS where the core meets the plastic tanks It's not a bad leak, more like a slow dribble, but at this point I'm done focking around with Napa, it's going back and I'll go somewhere else.

 

[4X4HIGH]

Damn, that sucks. Call http://www.1800radiator.com/index.htm

 

[lectric80]

Well, I got it exchanged.. all they could get shipped to the store was the plastic/aluminum combo.. got it swapped it..

AND IT FOCKING LEAKS where the core meets the plastic tanks It's not a bad leak, more like a slow dribble, but at this point I'm done focking around with Napa, it's going back and I'll go somewhere else.

What brand of radiator is it? I just wonder because each Napa is independant as far as who they get the stuff from, and it may be a bad manufacturer. I know my local Napa uses Modine, and I have not had any issues as of yet on any of my stuff.

 

[isaac]

i bought a radiator/heater core from radiator.com fast shipping and didnt have any problems with it you might wanna try them.