tnheritage

Well I decided on the Spectra Rad, it should arrive Monday. I also got a new radiator cap and I will also install a new thermostat as well. Not going to short cut it.

Rednroll

Has anyone tried this CSF, all aluminum radiator?
https://www.quadratec.com/products/51210_6218_07.htm

Also, it does look like the 3.6L, uses the same radiator as the 3.8L
https://www.quadratec.com/products/51212_0000_07.htm

I wonder if that has anything to do with the 2012+ with the 3.6L engine seeming to have more lower mileage OEM radiator failures?

catahoula

My factory had over 100,000 before replacing with a CSF. Only had it for less than 30,000 and found a leak the the other day. I say skip them.

Rednroll

Thanks!!! Just want to make sure, since it looks like CSF makes multiple replacement options. Was it one of the aluminum tank ones? And which aluminum tank one if it was?

CSF OEM replacement
https://www.quadratec.com/products/51210_6217_07.htm

and I have no idea what the differences are between these 2 aluminum CSF replacements, aside one costs much more than the other???

$482 CSF Aluminum
https://www.quadratec.com/products/51210_6224_07.htm

$315 CSF Aluminum
https://www.quadratec.com/products/51210_6218_07.htm

tnheritage

Well I swapped out the radiator yesterday and it took me some time. Approx. 5.5 to 6 hrs I'd say. I was being careful with the new one and did as someone suggested and started the screws in every hole so the threads would already be there. I'd probably have paid to have it done looking back on it now, man it was rough on an ole man like me. LOL

Rednroll

That's about how long it took me when I did mine. I'm definitely no speed demon, when it comes to working on my JK. I typically multiply times 4 of what someone states the install time should take. However, I do tend to take a lot of breaks and I work on some side jobs when I have things taken apart. I always look at taking parts off, as an opportunity which opens up some space to clean up things that are typically hard to get at. So my front axle, upper control arms and frame rails got a nice new layer of rust reformer and fresh paint on them when I had the radiator and fan assembly pulled out.

tnheritage

Oh yea, I've painted all the underneath from front to the rear, actually looks pretty good. I'll get it started up this evening and top the radiator off with the most expensive antifreeze known to man LOL and take it out for a spin.

catahoula

Sorry just saw this. It was the fist one. I called Quadratec and they are sending a new one out free of charge. I asked if this was an issue and they said no. I did see a review of another customer having a leak in theirs. I expected it to last longer and now I have to spend a good part of my day off replacing it. Still blows! Especially, when you check labor prices to have it done...twice! I guess my labor is free.

Rednroll

Thanks! That would be very annoying having to do the job twice or more. Reminds me of some of the Mishimoto discussions where they say, "Sorry for the problem, we'll be happy to take care of the problem with our life-time warranty, just send it in". They tend to describe it like taking radiators on/off are like replacing a valve stem cap, and you can still use your ride while all that exchanging is taking place and you have nothing better to do than to be swapping radiators in/out, and coolant is free.

I don't know what the challenges are of manufacturing a radiator, or developing a test to ensure they're up to snuff before leaving the factory but it sure seems like no one has it quite figured out for our JKs.

resharp001

Well, all this time catching a whiffs of coolant and never finding a leak....pressure testing several times and never finding anything....I was under it today installing some rock lights and all be damned if the bottom driver's side corner didn't have a nice pink coating of dried old coolant. Son of a bitch. Guess it's finally gonna get replaced now that the dirty lil secret has indeed popped it's head enough to show that much.

$300+ radiators aren't in my budget at the moment, so I guess it's OEM or OEM knock off. Almost tempted to try to the Spectra to save $90. Steering clear of the even cheaper CSL.