Any comment/experience with cheap aluminum radiators from Ebay

[Anaurath]

Hi Guys,

I´m thinking about the possibility to replace my OEM radiator (GU TB45 Automatic from 98) for one of those you can find in Ebay.

They look really promising, but I have some doubts on them. They are 3 core, bigger and thicker than OEM and they say that are 30%-40% more effective than the standard one.
The only think is that they are made in China (like practically everything nowadays...).

For 200 dollars even less and sometimes including delivery costs, I would like to know if someone here have had any experience and would endorse them.

any comment will be more than welcome,

Thanks in advance,

[Evo]

Hi,

Had thought about one of those alloy jobbies when replacing hoses and water pump.
If you read the fine print on some of them, look for the ones that are fully brazed, no resin used, especially for the cores/end/top tank fixing.
Need to make sure that they have the mountings to suit your fan shroud also.
If it was me, and considering its an auto, I would be looking at manual radiators and an external oil cooler.
Also, some have from 1 to 2 year warranties, so worth looking at a few of them and not the cheapest couple.
In the end, I ended up getting my radiator recored, new top tank, and it cost me $160, same day service because I didn't want to wait.
I have bought and used ebay radiators in other cars I have owned, because I could afford to wait the week to get them, and I still have one in a car I have now, all of which were around $170 including shipping, and no complaints at all. Fit fine, no issues. Would do it again if needed.

Hope there's some useful info there.

Evo

[Bloodyaussie]

Mate this subject has been covered in length with much debate... do a search and work out whats right for you.

I personally will not buy one of those crap things and stick with my brass copper one (about $350)... and if I was to get another I would get a custom brass copper one for about $600-$700....

[Anaurath]

Thanks guys for your comments!!

I´ll do a little bit more of research.

Cheers

[P4trol]

Can you point me in the direction of brass copper ones?

EBay is full of aluminium ones.

[Evo]

Mate this subject has been covered in length with much debate... do a search and work out whats right for you.

I personally will not buy one of those crap things and stick with my brass copper one (about $350)... and if I was to get another I would get a custom brass copper one for about $600-$700....

OEM one is thin alloy with plastic tanks...
Only found full alloy replacements, never copper core.

Evo

[Drewboyaus]

OEM one is thin alloy with plastic tanks...
Only found full alloy replacements, never copper core.

Evo

Have a look at the radiator catalogue here, page 321:

www.ashdown-ingram.com.au

[my third 256]

also if ali tank is not insulated from body you will get electrolices and will eat out radiator within 6 months

[Bloodyaussie]

OEM one is thin alloy with plastic tanks...
Only found full alloy replacements, never copper core.

Evo

Where are you looking... ebay???

I bought mine through a shop.. can deal with radiator specialist and get one ordered in.

I have seen copper brass ones on ebay some time ago but have not looked for awhile.

[Alitis007]

also if ali tank is not insulated from body you will get electrolices and will eat out radiator within 6 months

It needs to be earthed to the body to help try and stop stray electric currents also if you really want an ally rad you need to use a 50/50 mix of coolant suited to alluminum blocks for example the coolant used for the holden 5.7ltr gen3 v8.


Apart from not being serviceable i recommend to my friends and customers to steer clear from ally rads. The better brands like Adrad and PWR offer a 3 year warranty because they are better quality in construction and design.


To the OP If your current OEM rad done the job why do you want to go to a bigger core for??