Advice on radiator repair

[KRBrouwer]

I was doing some grapple work about 2 weeks ago with my New Holland T2220, and I let the log I was carrying drop, needless to say, the grapple bounced a bit, and all of the sudden antifreeze started spraying out from under the hood, accompanied by a loud clicking. I immediately shut down the tractor, and found a 1" x 6" X 3/8" metal bar with two holes in it wedged between the fan blade and radiator. I (and dealer) later determined that the bar was supposed to be bolted between the upper part of the radiator and the fan shrould to stiffen it. It appeared that it had never been bolted in place (from the factory?). It was simply sitting on top of the radiator between the fan shrould but never bolted in place. Since the tractor was still under warranty, the dealer picked up the tractor to inspect the damage. He said then that the part looked like it was never bolted in, and said that the damage was in no way my fault. He then said he would order parts and repair the tractor. This took about a week. When I got the tractor back, the normally talkative driver, just dropped it off and said he had to get right back. While I was looking at the repair I was surprised to see that there was not a new radiator (the part they ordered was a new fan blade), but that the repairs to the tubes and fins were made with an epoxy like material. There are three patches that I can see without removing the radiator. The dealer claims that they have never had any trouble with repairs using epoxy, and will stand by the repair if it ever fails.

My question: Does anyone have any experience with these types of radiator repairs using epoxy. My current thinking is to send it back to him now for a new radiator, and not wait until it fails (usually at an inconvenient time for me. I have bought two tractors and 5 attachments from this dealer and have always been very happy with the level of service. It is a family run business that has been around for 40 years. However, my experiences with many other guarantees is that they aren't worth much if the company isn't around.

I would appreciate any advice.

 

[TGF]

I would demand a new radiator, epoxy does not have thermal conductivity anywhere near that of metal, in addition to that how much epoxy ran in the radiator and further reduced the cooling surface area.

That is my two cents.

 

[picker77]

In a freaky situation mowing trails I jammed a broken tree limb into the radiator of my large ZTR mower four years ago, and punched a couple of splits in it near the top where the tubes/fins join the top header. My fault, not under warranty. Found out a replacement radiator was nearly $500, so with not much to lose I put JB Weld on it. Surprisingly, it's held up fine for four years of hard use now.

A new radiator would have been better, obviously, but in my one experience with this type of repair the fix has worked fine (so far), and I have new respect for JB Weld. However, it might be worth getting the dealer to put that promise in writing, unless you trust him a LOT.

 

[E/S]

There in no way in **** I would accept that as a warrenty repair.

 

[kebo]

I would demand a new radiator, epoxy does not have thermal conductivity anywhere near that of metal, in addition to that how much epoxy ran in the radiator and further reduced the cooling surface area.

That is my two cents.

I concur about the new part. I would go back to the dealer and give him another chance to put in a new one.

Ask the dealer if he bought a new car and a similar thing happened to it, would he want his car dealer to patch the radiator with epoxy, or would he prefer a new radiator?? I bet I know what his answer would be, especially if his wife drove the car. Yeah, cars & tractors are different but the principle is the same.

If the dealer still refuses to replace it with a new one, go to the area rep and repeat the story.

 

[Mace Canute]

Personally, I believe New Holland owes you a new rad.

(A) Why should you have a devalued tractor because of a factory screw-up? When you go to sell it, or trade it in sometime in the future, you can be pretty certain someone will look at that "fix" and decide that your tractor isn't worth as much as one that had a pristine looking rad.

(B) Even though your dealer claims that they have never had any trouble with repairs using epoxy, and will stand by the repair if it ever fails, the possibility exists that he might not be around to honour it. Even if you get it in writing, what's to say the next owner of that business will honour it?

(C) If it does fail, it might be at a very inconvenient time. Murphy will likely insist it fails in the middle of a blizzard! Why should you have to take that chance?

 

[yooper1]

If tractor warranties are like car warranties your dealer may have submitted the warranty work "saying" he replaced the radiator.

That way he would get the appropriate credit / reimbursed for the supposed labor and part

That alone smacks of deceit

 

[crazyal]

I would want a new radiator. That being said epoxy is used to repair aluminum radiators all the time. I've done it myself quite often when I was racing dirt track. A few dollars for epoxy over $300 for a new radiator plus you can do it at the track with the 5 minute set time stuff. I've never seen it done to brass though, I'm assuming your radiator is aluminum.

 

[LD1]

I agree with everyone else here.

While the epoxy repair will probabally be just fine and never cause you any problems, you purchased an expensive NEW tractor with a warrenty for a reason. If this were an older 1950's tractor with no warrenty, I wouldn't have any complaints about using $10 worth of epoxy and saving 300-400 for a new radiator.

But the fact is, you bought a new tractor with a new warrenty. I wouldn't accept anything less than a new radiator.

Good luck and keep us posted

 

[banjodunn]

G'day no two ways about it a new radiator for sure, dealer is prob worried that he/she will have to wear the cost as NH will say that it should have been picked up on PD


Jon

 

[ray66v]

I have a lot of experience with radiator repairs given I worked all my life in the auto body repair business.

I do not know of the epoxy material he is using to repair the radiator, probably JB Weld, (I like to call it liquid duct tape), (both are used almost extensively by people that can't actually do things properly). But as the others have said, I would not accept that as a proper warranty repair, without a fight. :thumbdown:

If your paying for a repair, and he could save you big money, it might be worth the risk of breaking down. But, if it is a warranty situation, you have nothing to gain, and everything to lose.

Most all radiators today are not repaired, because they are aluminum with plastic tanks. If someone could weld the damaged spots, (not done often), I would accept that.

It doesn't matter if he will warranty it. In this day and age, next week he could be gone, and then your hosed.

 

[taborekle]

I also wonder how the dealer submitted the claim for warranty work to Kubota. I agree that you're warranty should put you're machine back to factory fresh condition.

The dealer in my opinion has given you evidence that they are honest. Their diagnosis that it is a Kubota factory issue shows that they are giving you honest evidence that they are on you're side. I've had car dealers blow smoke on repairs to get more money. This dealer doesn't seem to be doing that.

If it's some very small holes and are cosmetic in nature, I guess I could understand why a dealer doesn't want to order a new part for some minor cosmetic issues. However, if they devalue the trade in value of the tractor, or it impairs the functioning of the tractor, then that's another issue.

 

[TripleR]

There in no way in **** I would accept that as a warranty repair.

Same here, no way, no how.

 

[KRBrouwer]

Everyone:

Thanks for your comments, I spoke with the dealer yesterday, and he has ordered a new radiator, and will come and pickup the tractor and install the new radiator when it comes in. He agreed that since it come that way from the factory, the new radiator should be covered under warranty. :thumbsup:

Ken