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07-13-2018, 06:05 PM | #1 |
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Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Port Orchard, WA
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How I spent $920 on leaky radiator
After exhaustively researching radiator options for my LS swap I decided to purchase a radiator from a trusted forum “Gold Vendor” - R&D Fabrication. I was sold on US built with US materials! What I received was a leaky radiator after 4k miles and a frustrating / ludicrous customer experience with no resolution. All told, I’m out $920 on a chunk of leaky aluminum.
Timeline of events with more detail (have emails for each event): 10/24/2016 - Purchased R&D radiator from Sparky for $730.00 ...Building truck 8/15/2017 - Installed radiator in truck ...Put 4K miles on truck 2/14/2018 - Noticed radiator dripping and leaking from bottom 3/23/2018 - Me - Emailed R&D explaining leaking issue with pictures 3/27/2018 - Thanked me for pictures and replied that the pictures were too hard to tell what was happening, needed the radiator to pressure test and fix. 4/4/2018 - Me - Shipped radiator to R&D at my expense of $125 to his shop 4/13/2018 - Me - Emailed, checking on status 4/16/2018 - R&D -Replied, should be testing soon, will reply with results as soon as possible. 4/20/2018 - Me - Emailed asking for status of test 4/24/2018 - Me - Emailed asking for status of test 4/24/2018 - R&D - Emaiedl, All radiators have 1 year warranty, no refunds after that, no status provided!! 4/25/2018 - R&D - email, shop guys tested didn't find any leaks 4/25/2018 - Me - please pressure test overnight, I am positive it has a leak. 4/26/2018 - R&D - Found tube to header leak, fixing and will recheck for leaks 4/30/2018 - Me - Checking on status, how is it going? 5/1/2018 - R&D - Able to fix, will ship tomorrow. Need you to cover shipping, Invoice sent 5/1/2018 - Me - Paid invoice of $70.00 to get radiator returned 5/4/2018 - Me - Need status, please send tracking number 5/8/2018 - R&D - Found two more leaks after shop manager asked workers to test. Assured it would be fixed and shipped out this evening. 5/9/2018 - R&D - Tracking code sent 5/16/2018 - Me - Radiator arrives, I flush per instructions, when I add coolant I notice aluminum shavings that appear to be Stop Leak. Email R&D with concerns. 5/17/2018 - R&D we never use “Stop Leak”, most likely weld or resin residue, we use resin to “cover weld bleed through” 5/18/2018 - Me - Looks like leak is back, no joke. 5/20/2018 - Me - emailed R&D confirming leaks are back and worse than ever. 5/21/2018 - R&D sorry, pressure tested it multiple times before sending back, what cap and water pump are you using. 5/21/2018 - Me, 16psi cap with stock LS3 pump 5/22/2018 - Oh, we recommend 12-15 psi cap, I don't feel confident with further repairs. We will need to build a new one. 5/22/2018 - Me - how much? No further emails received from R&D Lessons learned: I need to do my homework on a small shop before pulling the trigger. Next time I will request any terms and conditions as well as the warranty info upfront, before I purchase. I will also ask what they will do / what I need to do in the event of issue (i.e. shipping) Lastly, check to see if they are a legit company, just because they are a “Gold Vendor” doesn't mean they are a valid company. A quick search on that net revealed R&D does not have a valid business license since December 2016. Ending: I waited a long time before posting and really worked at only including details and not emotion here. In the end, I called Entropy, they seem to be the real deal. I received my radiator in a couple weeks, exactly as promised. It fit perfect and it keeps the truck running quite a bit cooler. The materials and build quality are much more impressive, too. I only have a few hundred miles on at the time of this post so we will see if it holds but I have a lot more confidence in this unit already. Lastly: Anyone have ideas on what I should do with this leaky radiator? I can't seem to bring myself to recycle it. |
07-13-2018, 06:13 PM | #2 |
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Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Rockwell, NC
Posts: 1,639
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Re: How I spent $920 on leaky radiator
Sorry to hear it, that completely sucks.
I took forever trying to decide which way to go with my radiator and also went with entropy. Had to wait a few weeks which they told me up front but it is art. They are to radiators what boyds is to fuel tanks. Not cheap but well worth the money. Got their fan controller afterwards as well. Just as happy with it.
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07-13-2018, 11:10 PM | #3 |
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Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: canton ga
Posts: 12,728
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Re: How I spent $920 on leaky radiator
I now know where not to shop for a Radiator .
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07-13-2018, 11:15 PM | #4 |
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Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Mid NE USA
Posts: 2,212
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Re: How I spent $920 on leaky radiator
Sorry some Co's bad customer service. They always have ways to push the blame
Ron
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Member #111 68 C-10 Daily Driver 70 4x4 Project 76 Jeep CJ-5 Help Support the Board: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/payments.php He who knows nothing is closer to the truth than he whose mind is filled with falsehoods and errors. Thomas Jefferson |
07-13-2018, 11:21 PM | #5 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Gods country East,Tn
Posts: 8,545
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Re: How I spent $920 on leaky radiator
What do you want for that piece of leaky aluminum ?
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07-14-2018, 03:50 AM | #6 |
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Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: 2nd left past the stump on a dirt road.
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Re: How I spent $920 on leaky radiator
Come on now Grumpy lets not feed off ones misery. I sympathize with the guy some suppliers out there are really just in it for the money trying to compete with the Top Dogs.
Ends up being a shamble, not fun. I got a pair of drums on my truck supposedly Wagners that are out of round no fun chinese crap. |
07-14-2018, 07:38 AM | #7 |
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Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Heart of Tennessee
Posts: 1,120
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Re: How I spent $920 on leaky radiator
I bought one from sparky, it leaked, they fixed. No problem
Since, however I wonder why I spent so much, when the lower neck hose isn't even angled correctly for our trucks? I will shop better next time. |
07-14-2018, 09:03 AM | #8 |
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Join Date: May 2015
Location: Sierra Vista, Arizona
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Re: How I spent $920 on leaky radiator
I'm glad you posted this, I was thinking of buying from them for my LS swap...based off being a "gold vender" and all on this forum.
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07-14-2018, 09:20 AM | #9 |
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Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Port Orchard, WA
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Re: How I spent $920 on leaky radiator
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07-14-2018, 09:29 AM | #10 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
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Re: How I spent $920 on leaky radiator
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07-14-2018, 11:24 AM | #11 |
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Join Date: May 2012
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Re: How I spent $920 on leaky radiator
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07-14-2018, 11:46 AM | #12 |
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Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Dallas Texas
Posts: 3,151
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Re: How I spent $920 on leaky radiator
Pretty generous to allow Grumpy to take this chunk of aluminum off your hands there!
You could sell those fans and shroud to recoup at leas a couple hundred of your loss. -klb
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67 C10 fleet fuel injected '70 402, 700r4, 3.73 posi 07 335 sport turbo 6sp 94 Trans Am GT LT1 6sp posi -- sold after 22yrs 99 540 sport V8 6sp -- sold 73 240z L24 4sp -- given to friend 68 C10 step 350/350 3.73 open -- sold |
07-14-2018, 12:28 PM | #13 |
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: KINGSPORT,TN.
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Re: How I spent $920 on leaky radiator
16 lb cap, way too much. 5lb is plenty. rock auto rads are less than 200 delivered
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07-14-2018, 02:00 PM | #14 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Gods country East,Tn
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Re: How I spent $920 on leaky radiator
Shipping is too high for me ,Maybe someone closer can take advantage of this good deal .
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07-14-2018, 07:11 PM | #15 |
Scrapper 1
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Riverside Calif
Posts: 1,649
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Re: How I spent $920 on leaky radiator
do they make a brass and copper radiator of the LS swap
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07-14-2018, 10:38 PM | #16 |
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Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Hermiston, oregon
Posts: 840
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Re: How I spent $920 on leaky radiator
I am sure the state would love to hear about a business operating without a license in the state, IRS may be interested too. I have had great luck dealing with the State attorney general the couple of times I was wronged as a customer.
It is unfortunate that a company wont stand behind their product and it stings even more when you were sold on "quality" and spent big money for what ended up junk. Do the next guy a favor and send karma their way by sending a couple emails to the state offices explaining what happened and the lack of a license.
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1972 k/5 blazer CST 4X4 Crate 350, th350/205, dana44with trac-loc/14 bolt with detroit locker, 4 wheel discs 4.56s, 8" suspension lift using 73-87springs, 1" zerorate custom front crossmember, HAD CV drivelines and driveshaft e-brake, full cage, PRP seats, Full autometer gauges, 38x14.5x16 Toyo M/Ts, 16x10 Polished aluminum rockcrusher wheels 1967 longbox 4x4, Strong 400/400/208, 44/12bolt 4.10s, 6" lift, 35" Toyo M/Ts on corvette rally wheels |
07-15-2018, 10:32 AM | #17 |
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Re: How I spent $920 on leaky radiator
I'd take it to a local old-school radiator shop. They could probably fix it.
Good luck, Rg
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07-15-2018, 11:06 AM | #18 | |
Who's got steelies?
Join Date: Feb 2006
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Re: How I spent $920 on leaky radiator
Quote:
I am sure the forum staff would want to know these things too.
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07-15-2018, 12:13 PM | #19 |
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Re: How I spent $920 on leaky radiator
I’d want to “hand deliver” it to the shop it came from....
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07-15-2018, 12:14 PM | #20 | |
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Re: How I spent $920 on leaky radiator
Quote:
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07-15-2018, 02:18 PM | #21 |
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Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Barber City, CA
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Re: How I spent $920 on leaky radiator
so how many forum members have to get burned by other forum members before admin turns on itrader??
it's a built-in function of vBulletin and this is a pay-to-play forum marketplace so what gives? a simple catchall feedback thread for everything doesn't cut it.. itrader ratings in each post header would fix 99% of these issues.. as for the radiator, I'm conflicted whether I'd rather 'hand deliver' or sick the goons on them.. sorry to hear of your loss.. thanks for warning the rest of us and good luck!
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07-15-2018, 02:25 PM | #22 |
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Re: How I spent $920 on leaky radiator
In my experience the problem with aluminum radiators is repairs are mostly limited to epoxying the leak. One of the reasons I went copper in my Burban. Copper leaks can be soldered.
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Thanks to Bob and Jeanie and everyone else at Superior Performance for all their great help. RIP Bob Parks. 1967 Burban (the WMB),1988 S10 Blazer (the Stink10 II),1969 GTO (the Goat), 1970 Javelin, 1952 F2 Ford OHC six 4X4, 29 Model A, 72 Firebird (the DBP Bird). 85 Alfa Romeo If it breaks I didn't want it in the first place The WMB repair thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=698377 |
07-15-2018, 03:07 PM | #23 | |
20' Daredevil (Ret)
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Re: How I spent $920 on leaky radiator
Quote:
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- Mike - 1972 K20 LWB 350/350/205 RIP El Jay Last edited by Stocker; 07-15-2018 at 03:59 PM. |
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07-15-2018, 06:52 PM | #24 | |
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Re: How I spent $920 on leaky radiator
Quote:
I don't need a radiator, but I would like to take this opportunity to express my amazement at how generous some of you forum members really are! Maybe a lower pressure cap? Would a can of sealant help with aluminum? I like raggedjim's idea of taking it to a local old school shop to see if they could help. Best of luck to you Bud. |
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07-15-2018, 09:53 PM | #25 | |
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Re: How I spent $920 on leaky radiator
Quote:
iTrader is built in to vBulletin, just needs to be turned on.. paid subscribers on this forum don't deserve what's free in other forums? most marketplaces have some sort of direct feedback, that how we weed out the bad guys.. making it handy and convenient makes it work! If you saw this in the upper right corner of every post.. and this one click away, would you use it and look at it before you buy/sell.. would buy from/sell to me?
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