CSF Radiator Leaking After 2 Years

[TheMole]

Just a heads up for those looking to replace your radiator with an aftermarket unit. My CSF 3050 radiator has developed a leak after 2 years and just almost 20k miles of city/highway driving. I noticed the coolant level decreasing from the overflow bottle when I did my random checks under the hood. From the attached pics, it looks like it is leaking under the top tank or from the sides. I spent $250 on this all metal unit and expected it to last at least 5 years. Unfortunately, it is right past the 2 year warranty as well so here are my options.

-Rebuild OEM radiator: $450+ for bulletproof
-Rebuild CSF radiator: Lost my trust so probably not an option
-Buy Spectra premium radiator: $140

I think I'm gonna go with the Spectra even though it was plastic endtanks. Not sure how much longer I'll be keeping the car at over 200k miles already, but don't mind spending $140 if I have to replace it every couple of years. Autozone has a 20% off and free shipping so I'll probably order through them. If I decide to keep it long term, I'll definitely have the OEM rebuilt at the radiator shop.





Updated pics of failed CSF radiator

 

['round n' back again]

if its leaking at the tank seam, a radiator shop might repair for a nominal fee.

 

[TheMole]

if its leaking at the tank seam, a radiator shop might repair for a nominal fee.

You may be right. Maybe I'll just keep the CSF as another spare to fix.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

Bummer, I would take your factory radiator to your local shop to have them soak, clean, and pressure test it. Mine was only $92 to have a local shop go through it.

 

[Toasty]

Always have the Mitsu radiator rebuilt if possible, my CSF lasted 1 year exactly the length of the warranty. Also the aluminum 1 row is a waste of money, it barely fits and will probably get destroyed with a little good offroad. The CSF is very thin copper/brass and probably isn't worth having it repaired as it will just find a new place to leak soon.

Yes I've owned every aftermarket radiator available as well as TWO custom radiators, I now run a stock radiator that I had rebuilt. I may in the future build my own radiators because I can.

 

[All-Terrain]

Did you guys get the core replaced in your OEM Mitsubishi radiator?

 

['round n' back again]

Did you guys get the core replaced in your OEM Mitsubishi radiator?

i do if the tanks are salvageable.
get a third row put in. japanese always leave you room to do that with their copper/brass radiators.
cores are available
tanks not always

 

[All-Terrain]

What does that cost?

 

[plh]

Bummer, I would take your factory radiator to your local shop to have them soak, clean, and pressure test it. Mine was only $92 to have a local shop go through it.

Get it done while you can. I live in a metro area of ~1 million and there are no radiator rebuilding shops here any more. Competition is tough against the low cost aftermarket, better original OEM life, workplace legislation etc...

 

[raysobi]

OMG I just ordered it yesterday......based on the recommendation. Should I cancel it??

 

['round n' back again]

What does that cost?

350. here
450 in portland (enviro tax)
there are a lot of shops around
servicing the big truck and equipment market

 

[TheMole]

Get it done while you can. I live in a metro area of ~1 million and there are no radiator rebuilding shops here any more. Competition is tough against the low cost aftermarket, better original OEM life, workplace legislation etc...

Agreed there is only one radiator shop close to me that still rebuilds.

What does that cost?

My OEM core wasn't salvageable and was quoted of at least $450 to build a custom one using the endtanks.

 

[TheMole]

OMG I just ordered it yesterday......based on the recommendation. Should I cancel it??

Tough choice, but it's up to you. Yours may last longer or shorter who knows with these aftermarket units lol. One thing to note is that it's not leaking enough where I have to top off the overflow tank everyday. I check it every few days and top off if necessary. I won't be taking my car on long trips anytime soon though. Any chance of rebuilding your OEM unit?

 

[raysobi]

Tough choice, but it's up to you. Yours may last longer or shorter who knows with these aftermarket units lol. One thing to note is that it's not leaking enough where I have to top off the overflow tank everyday. I check it every few days and top off if necessary. I won't be taking my car on long trips anytime soon though. Any chance of rebuilding your OEM unit?

Mole, to be honest my radiator has no leaks but it is 16 years old car and it just matter of time when it is about to go bad.

So i went ahead and purchased a replacement yesterday, however I was able to cancel it just in time. What should i do?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk

 

['round n' back again]

rebuild, by all means , rebuild.

Ask for Pacific cores. if the shop gives you that option.