champion radiator weld leaking

well, I got ten months out of the new champion rad i put in the van. now its leaking from a weld under the upper rad hose tube. i contacted ledfoot racing to see what to do. i bought the rad on ebay, its the four core with the billet parts. how do you like that?

Bummer

Do you have a local weld shop that has a tig-welder?

Dan

most radiator repair shops now will have the welders to repair alu stuff or a good welding shop.

I think they are guaranteed for life against leaks at the welds. Mine is almost two years old and no problems.

Jeff said he would ship me a new one if i cover shipping, and keep the old one. heres a pic

Cool. I am glad to know they back their product like they say they do.

yeah, its a big relief cause shes my steady... we ride at 6:30 am no matter what, that van always rolls. Also when its twilight i get nuts and we leave and circle the marquee like a moth. so i need a dependable radiator...

Good to hear they keep their word, I'm looking into getting one. jeff

They still scare me personally,, too cheap is too good to believe, and originally heard some scuttle butt about the epoxy giving way,, from your picture,it sure looks like its true,, if its the tube, its not welded,, I have one a new four core here also, and would much have preferred the customer to have had the full height of a good old fashioned copper four row 240 dimensioned one.
Raises my suspicions when a rep at an automotive swap meet tells me has had also complaints as to their fan???? which I really don't like from theirs.
vic,,, just my nickel??????????
I need to be convinced?????

Champion Radiators don't use any epoxy at all. They are 100% TIG welded. I don't know about their fans but they can't be very good since they sell for so cheap. I get my electric fans from Summit Racing. At least a 2800 cfm and preferably a 3200 cfm. Anything less and you are wasting your money.

BE COOL fans are by far the best...made by Spal...factory fan in all audi,bmw benz'..

fourteen days later i'm still waiting for the radiator to show up. i haven't hitchhiked this much since i was eighteen years old. thank goodness for the kindness of strangers and workmates.

anyone wanting to buy one of these rads might want to think twice. i am STILL waiting now for nearly a month for this rad. i phoned the guy and he said it was laying in his garage for a week and he overlooked it and thinks he shipped it last week. this company screwed me. i told them on day one my van is my daily driver. i have literally been hitch hiking and paying bus fare this entire time

steve wrote:anyone wanting to buy one of these rads might want to think twice. i am STILL waiting now for nearly a month for this rad. i phoned the guy and he said it was laying in his garage for a week and he overlooked it and thinks he shipped it last week. this company screwed me. i told them on day one my van is my daily driver. i have literally been hitch hiking and paying bus fare this entire time

I was thinking of one of these rads,I think any company could have something faulty sneak by them. It sounds like the biggest problem is the vendor you bought from? I hope it works out for you soon.

kgdb

yeah its the vendor. i still like the product.

I've got one of these but wouldn't buy another knowing they're built in CHINA. It didn't fit even though they say it fits an Econoline. Had to totally rebuild it before I could use it. Thank the good Lord I have a TIG and know how to weld aluminum...

My gut tells me they don't have any in stock so they're waiting on a container from CHINA.

Also, the cheap ass fan they provide was broken in shipping. Did I ever receive a replacement from CHINA? Hell no...

Champion is crap. Run like hell from them...

Definitely not impressed with the one here,,, especially their fan and shroud CFM?????? shroud fits very nicely, but the CFM seems to be a joke. I have heard rumors here and there as to the epoxy (?????) sealant used on the aluminum core flutes eventually leaking. The company is trying to make everything to include cylinder heads, roller rockers, distributors, intakes, etc,,,,,, I had considered the heads, however several high tech engine forums talking about the poor ports, valve springs, guides, seats coming out,,, on and on,,,, between that and wanting to keep the money here,, I will not purchase any of it. Just my opinion for what that's worth.
vic

So.... Now that all this has been said. Can anyone recommend a really good 2 or 3 core Aluminum Radiator?

In so far as having to have aluminum, guess its back to Griffin, looking into two others. I had talked to the "FAN MAN" at the Pomona auto meet, well known and makes aluminum radiators also, and one other custom radiator builder there also before. Personally,, still sticking to the four core copper. Its a little over 5" taller, meaning more cooling surface exchange right off the bat. Easy for repairs, so on... Just my nickel and bling is not important to me, or worth the money??
I just had another 289 five wndw come in with the shorter aluminum radiator (4 row),, and its "not keeping up" was his main complaint ??? It looks like it may be the same scenario. I am not scheduled to start on his for another two weeks or so,, as swamped here. But first visual, shows a mechanical four blade fan (questionable?), and an 18" pusher fan wired up to run all the time. The doghouse is opened up very nicely, so lots of breathing room. Will know more as soon as I can get into checking the engine and all. Meanwhile, will be talking to my radiator man here, (Radiator Works) very good. I just had a four core 240 built (high efficiency core) but a long way from even thinking of my own truck,, LOL,, I need to go and talk to him about another copper four row radiator anyways, and will ask him about who for aluminum????????
vic

The good USA made cost big bucks

still no rad. i emailed the guy for a tracking number but no response. what good does this ripping people off do in the long run anyway? why not be a good guy and try your hardest. its easier for the vendor that way. oh well.

Do the Copper-- even I can solder if it leaks in about 40 years.

You can try these guys. Saw their radiators at a Good-Guys show last year. Nice stuff.

www.prchotrod.com

I actually bought the correct size inlet and outlet from them when I "rebuilt" my CHINA radiator to work with a small 6.

what do i do about the hundreds of bucks i'm out now?