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How long does a radiator normally last? #: 205

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Posted: Mon Nov 20th, 2017 12:15 am

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NewShockerGuy
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I replaced my heater control valve about 5-6 years ago when I first bought the truck because it was leaking... turns out it's leaking again now. Going to buy another oem motorcraft one.

But that got me thinking on other things. The radiator is original to the truck, so it's about 16-17 years old. At what point would one replace it short of it leaking. To my knowledge it is not leaking at all but one of those things I'd hate for something to happen while I am driving and then be stranded type of deals...

Rock auto has them cheap and a Spectra Premium is only $108. Since i'm ordering stuff form them anyways figure I'd pick up a new radiator and replace what I have. My only concern is that the newer stuff isn't going to be built like the original/older stuff... but then again, I don't expect the truck to last forever.

Just wanted to get some opinions on it. I was going to do a coolant flush here next week anyways so stuff is going to be apart and that might be a good time to replace.

-Nigel

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Posted: Mon Nov 20th, 2017 04:16 am

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Mike69

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It probably has a lot to do with how often the old coolant was replaced with new coolant.

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Posted: Mon Nov 20th, 2017 05:26 am

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JAMMAN

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Exactly. I've seen 10 year old radiators that looked like crap and 20 year old ones that looked just fine.

The inside isn't all the game either, they can get banged up on the outside. Wrenches and bugs and getting the power washer too close.... if it looks unharmed on the outside and not all clogged up on the inside I'd keep it till it springs a leak.

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Posted: Mon Nov 20th, 2017 09:47 am

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Turd-250
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mine was about 15 years old when i had to replace the radiator. it developed cracks in the plastic along the ears that the fan shroud hung on to. either there or the mounts themselves... been a while. be worth a looksie!

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Posted: Mon Nov 20th, 2017 10:52 am

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Along with maintenance (corrosion protection) comes the issue of fatigue, an issue that will significantly affect life. Every time the vehicle experiences a duty cycle the radiator grows a little bit in size due to thermal expansion and pressurization. Turn if off,it cools and shrinks back to size. Collectively this ages the unit, and as such short trips will tend to do so faster than long ones. Same idea is applicable to heater cores.

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Posted: Mon Nov 20th, 2017 08:19 pm

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The radiator on my Stingray only lasted 46k miles. But it was 41 years old.

Radiators also have changed in the way they are made over the years. My wife's car has a mostly plastic radiator. It also uses that blue fluid and if you mix the green with it it turns to jello.

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Posted: Mon Nov 20th, 2017 09:46 pm

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I did get 23+ years and well over the 250k point with mine.. but I recently upgraded mine to a thicker radiator due to my constant desert use and high temps here in Vegas.

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Posted: Thu Nov 23rd, 2017 06:08 pm

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Garfield
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I would think that the OEM radiators are better made than the replacement ones you will buy.

I would simply flush the original if you're not having any issues. I have owned 2 Spectra Premium radiators and while they did the job just fine for the short period I had them, I do not believe them to be as solid as factory.

In my Ranger's case, my rad is 9 years old and still seems to be doing well apart from some dings in the fins where the grille is. I flushed it when replacing my coolant and am hoping it will last me for a while.

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Posted: Thu Nov 23rd, 2017 07:08 pm

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mhoward
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It was always my experience that OEM outlasts aftermarket in MOST cases. Radiators would be one of the OEM is better. Shocks, however, well... :)

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