CSF radiator unbox and . . . Problem?

[ftpiercecracker1]

Thought you guys might enjoy this.

 

2 core all metal off of RockAuto. Arrived today.

 

 

 

Box was taped and stabled well with a handle with care and radiator sticker.

 

Must have been handled well during the delivery process as there was no damage to the box at all.

 

 

 

 

Lots of packing material

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More air pouch packing material held the radiator nice and firm.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exposed in all her glory.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Onto the problems:

 

 

 

Cooling fins are lose on the edges. Not attached to the tubes. Seems a tad sloppy,  but i don't think it will hurt performance. 

 

 

 

 

 

This is the one that concerns me. This is a through split/crack and I'm not sure how much I should be worried about it propagating. 

 

The other nipple has no imperfections. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Excess weld bead inside the filler neck at the corner. Probably nothing to worry about but thought I would show it.

 

[WahooSteeler]

I have generally heard good things about CSF radiators, but I would not hesitate to send this back for a replacement. Rock Auto's customer service is very good in my personal experience so I would think you won't have any trouble. Just my 2 cents worth. 

[Minuit]

Send it back. Unacceptable and I would never in a million years want to install a shipping damaged radiator on my vehicle.

[fiatslug87]

[mjeff87]

My OCD would never let me install that thing.  Surprised at the Q/A issues....CSF is (was?) a quality manufacturer.  None of that looks like shipping damage to me (I'm a Q/A Manager by trade, full disclosure).

[ftpiercecracker1]

Thanks guys.

 

Ya no way its shipping damage. Just a deffect that slipped through the cracks (pun)

 

Just put some nasty 33x12.50 MTs on her so i dying to get her going again. Having to send this rad back is killin me. 

 

 

[MuddFoot]

I have the 3 core eBay all aluminum in mine. I think it was like 89 bucks shipped and haven't had any issues going on 3 years.

Sent from my Z982 using Tapatalk

[ftpiercecracker1]

Do CSF radiators use proprietary caps?

 

I got a cap out of the junkyard off of a late model cherokee with open cooling system since the new rad did not come with one.

 

The spring and all gaskets are in good shape,  but when i put it on i can squeeze the rad hose and coolant/air comes out the overflow nipple like nothing is there.

 

I have the cap fully locked into place, of this i am 100% certain, but its like it isnt long enough to seal on the bottom.

[ftpiercecracker1]

[AZJeff]

CSF rads use a regular cap.  I personally would not use a junk yard cap, given that an appropriate 16lb cap is so inexpensive at all the big box auto parts stores.

[ghetdjc320]

I don’t really understand the hype with the csf radiators. I got mine from 1800radiator. It’s all aluminum and the build quality is great with zero issues. If I didn’t already have this radiator I’d go with the mishimoto or griffin

[AZJeff]

I am two for two using CSF.   Neither had the issues reported by the OP.

 

if I was the OP, I would return thatrad. and insist on a different one from Rock Auto.

[ftpiercecracker1]

22 hours ago, AZJeff said:

CSF rads use a regular cap.  I personally would not use a junk yard cap, given that an appropriate 16lb cap is so inexpensive at all the big box auto parts stores.

 

I'll pick up a new one, will report back.

[ftpiercecracker1]

12 hours ago, ghetdjc320 said:

I don’t really understand the hype with the csf radiators. I got mine from 1800radiator. It’s all aluminum and the build quality is great with zero issues. If I didn’t already have this radiator I’d go with the mishimoto or griffin

 

Wasnt aware of any hype. I do know there are a boatload of ebay/amazon radiator suppliers. From what ive read its a real gamble whether or not you get a good one using these, china direct, suppliers.

 

I honestly don't know why i choose CSF, i went through rockauto.

[ftpiercecracker1]

9 hours ago, AZJeff said:

I am two for two using CSF.   Neither had the issues reported by the OP.

 

if I was the OP, I would return thatrad. and insist on a different one from Rock Auto.

 

Already done did. 

[ftpiercecracker1]

Update:

 

Guys at the parts store did some comparing. The only thing they could see different between my JY cap and a new one was the metal flange had a very slight bend in it, but otherwise identical. 

 

We put the new cap in place and had myself and another guy squeeze the upper and lower rad hose. No air/coolant came out overflow nipple and the other guy said he could feel the increased pressure in the lower hose when i squeezed the upper soooooo problem solved . . . . I guess?