Aftermarket radiator minefield

[3800Series]

I've suspected for a while that some sellers on RockAuto use the closeout section to offload damaged goods. Not minor cosmetic issues, but parts that are functionally ruined. I've gotten boxes with "RETURN" written on them in neon marker, the very first thing I see as I open up th box, and it clearly didn't stop anyone from shipping it out anyway.

(Was brake pads)

 

[The_Jeff]

I've suspected for a while that some sellers on RockAuto use the closeout section to offload damaged goods. Not minor cosmetic issues, but parts that are functionally ruined. I've gotten boxes with "RETURN" written on them in neon marker, the very first thing I see as I open up th box, and it clearly didn't stop anyone from shipping it out anyway.

(Was brake pads)

I don't suspect malice but rather some new boss unaware of its history saying "hey, this has been sitting here for fifteen years, move it on out."

That said it sucks to open a box halfway through a job and find this when it wasn't obtained locally.

 

[goblin]

Our amazon delivery guys don't speak or understand a word of English (have stopped them to tell them to slow down because there are kids and pets, they'd nod with a blank stare till I release them then leave with wheels spinning). We're in a private dead end, several houses, one blind curve on a slope, four toddlers and several dogs between my two neighbors on that side.

Eventually they ran over one of my other neighbor's dog rescues without even noticing - ironically, on the one straight with perfect visibility. The poor thing had to be put down. No acknowledgement or reaction whatsoever from Amazon central till the local news chimed in on site, cameras & crew and all. Then it all went very very fast and they went all milk and honey.

Other than that, they handle the packages mostly well.

 

[D60]

When I ordered OEM for a '15 GX460 from Bell Lexus it was packed insanely well. I almost felt bad for them having to use such a large box and so much packing material.

That said, it was extremely effective and the rad was perfect.

 

[cptbarkey]

I paid a premium for an all aluminum CSF for my GX, it’s an excellent radiator, good choice.

 

[STL_G8GT]

Csf installed today. Well build rad, I'll buy their product again.

Thanks for all the insights on shipping woes. I totally knew if I bought OEM new and paid up for it that it would arrive packed very well and in great shape, but for this car I needed to save the couple hundred bucks between oem and aftermarket. We are in kind of a remote area so the fastest that we ever get anything from Amazon seems to be 3 days. It's pretty inconvenient compared to when we spend time in Florida and almost everything is next morning!

 

[VolvoZ]

Good to know on that CSF radiator. Will keep that in mind.

While we’re here ranting about shipping quality, I’ll join in: Ordered window tint on Ebay about a month ago. Ordered 50% VLT, got 5% that had creases in it. Seller agreed to send another roll (of the right stuff). Replacement roll has been sitting at a Fedex facility in Rialto, CA for a 1.5 weeks now, not moving, just sitting there. Very frustrated as I wanted to tint before a big road trip, which I am in the middle of now. Rant over.

Happy 4th!

 

[SC Maintenance]

roll has been sitting at a Fedex facility in Rialto, CA for a 1.5 weeks now, not moving, just sitting there.

Its not there. Its lost. That would be the last place a bar code was read.

Might as well open a claim.

 

[Kira]

Not the customers fault but frustrating for sure.

I'm so glad to hear that ridiculously shabby packing and filling legit orders with returned goods isn't my fault.

 

[Pablo]

Ordered a radiator.

Arrived with a size 10 BOOT PRINT right in the middle of the box. Leaked.

 

[SC Maintenance]

It would be interesting to know what percentage make it through vs are damaged.

 

[Marcozi]

My cooling system filosfi: the installation of aftermarket cooling system parts is strictly verboten!

 

[JHZR2]

Actually had good luck with the B&M parts stores on this-- boxes about 10 inches wide, with spray foam in bags cradling all four corners of the rad with plenty of space for the box to take some lickings. Also handled well between the wholesaler and AZ/AA.

Same for any online radiator I’ve bought. Think I’ve gotten 3 from RA.

 

[SC Maintenance]

My cooling system filosfi: the installation of aftermarket cooling system parts is strictly verboten!

Except OEM's don't make radiators. My replacement Koyo rad was much better than the Calsonic / Nissan OEM spec one. Had two distinct cores vs one larger one with a crimp in it - ie no cirulation between cores.

Denso makes for a lot of OEM's, so your back to specs.

There certainly are bad and good in the aftermarket, but with radiators I don't think OEM are always best.

 

[PandaBear]

I will never understand how the people packing these things think that its acceptable to put something like that loose in a box with just few pieces of bubble wrap or brown packing paper.

I ordered replacement fenders for my Ranger. It took 7 times before I got ones that were not damaged in shipping because they were just shipping them loose in a box.

They design the packaging for commercial delivery instead of to residential. Guys delivering to a dock tend to do better than throwing everything to the back of a UPS truck going down every block.

 

[PandaBear]

I paid a premium for an all aluminum CSF for my GX, it’s an excellent radiator, good choice.

My CSF "all metal" radiator was made in Singapore and it slow leaked. It was "brass" though so it might just be a bad design but their plastic tank on aluminum traditional one as warranty replacement works well.

 

[goblin]

...
Denso makes for a lot of OEM's, so your back to specs.
...

Funnily enough, there's an old Denso video somewhere on YT where they comment at some point that the Denso for Toyota radiator that you can buy aftermarket is not the Toyota by Denso one that you buy as a Toyota part.

Toyota specifies a radiator for Denso to build. At some point, Denso can decide to release their own aftermarket one, but they wouldn't be allowed to make it a straight mirror copy (not the first few years, at least), as the item is designed by Toyota and Toyota has ownership of the plans. So Denso has to design their own, which would be compatible but not the same.

Now of course, what the difference will be between the Toyota by Denso and Denso for Toyota would be is anyone's guess. Very likely not a functional or a critical one.

 

[STL_G8GT]

Except OEM's don't make radiators. My replacement Koyo rad was much better than the Calsonic / Nissan OEM spec one. Had two distinct cores vs one larger one with a crimp in it - ie no cirulation between cores.

Denso makes for a lot of OEM's, so your back to specs.

There certainly are bad and good in the aftermarket, but with radiators I don't think OEM are always best.

Yes, that's why I attempted Koyo and Denso. The CSF was welded superior to both - and reviews in their internals are solid as well. I was really just disappointed with how fragile the neck attachment is on the Koyo / denso. The OEM relies on a gasketed plastic neck (or at least it was on the car, which I assume was OEM), and I liked the idea of an aluminum neck to avoid plastic and gaskets.

 

[STL_G8GT]

My CSF "all metal" radiator was made in Singapore and it slow leaked. It was "brass" though so it might just be a bad design but their plastic tank on aluminum traditional one as warranty replacement works well.

Don't tell me this! Lol.

 

[SC Maintenance]

Yes, that's why I attempted Koyo and Denso. The CSF was welded superior to both - and reviews in their internals are solid as well. I was really just disappointed with how fragile the neck attachment is on the Koyo / denso. The OEM relies on a gasketed plastic neck (or at least it was on the car, which I assume was OEM), and I liked the idea of an aluminum neck to avoid plastic and gaskets.

Yes, plastic will degrade over time for sure.

However the seals into the aluminum tank will as well. I have heard of a lot of leaky CSF all metal radiators on various off-road enthusiast forums as well.

Pay your money and take your pics, as usual its always a trade off.