Leaking Radiator

[rsherrard]

I recently got my truck back from service.. a standard check-up, only to find out that my radiator now has a small leak.. it would appear that a factory replacement is around 860ish bucks. I see that there's a couple of TSB on this issue; however my truck now has 55k miles and is out of the standard "warranty"... I also learned the the coolant system isn't covered under the 100k motor / drive warranty.

Does anyone have any other recommendation.. is there a better than factory radiator that I can get... is the leak repairable, with something like RTV? Or maybe I need to cough up the 800-900 bucks to fix it?

Thoughts?

Rob

[EdsTowing]

I have a 08 F-550 with a 6.4 that is on it 4th rad replacement. The truck currently has 66,000 miles on it. I had the 4th replacement done a couple thousand miles ago. The Ford service manager told me there was a recal on the thermostat that wasnt done yet to my truck since the recal just came out, ( this was a couple months ago). Since the recal was on the thermostat, its Navistars problem and they replaced the rad under that, as well as doing the recal on the thermostat.
I would check for that recal, cause that will save you some bucks. The service manager said since it was on Navistars bill, they will replace the rad all day long lol. I would like to know if some company makes a stronger rad but hopefully this will be the last one I have to deal with...Hope this helps ya bro...

[russf]

bars leak could probably stop the leak in the rad, however it does gum everything up because it melts into the cooling system, you could use it as a temporary fix and do a GOOD coolant flush afterwards

[AW794]

i wouldnt use that stuff in my engine

[rsherrard]

Do you know what the recall is.... I've only seen two TSB's on the issue, and Ford won't cover TSB's for a vehicle outside of the standard 36k bumper to bumper warranty.

Rob

Originally Posted by EdsTowing

I have a 08 F-550 with a 6.4 that is on it 4th rad replacement. The truck currently has 66,000 miles on it. I had the 4th replacement done a couple thousand miles ago. The Ford service manager told me there was a recal on the thermostat that wasnt done yet to my truck since the recal just came out, ( this was a couple months ago). Since the recal was on the thermostat, its Navistars problem and they replaced the rad under that, as well as doing the recal on the thermostat.
I would check for that recal, cause that will save you some bucks. The service manager said since it was on Navistars bill, they will replace the rad all day long lol. I would like to know if some company makes a stronger rad but hopefully this will be the last one I have to deal with...Hope this helps ya bro...

[powerhoghp]

It depends on the kind of tsb..... I have one pending on my 97 Explorer still..... I would look into the aftermarket for a good rad.....

[rsherrard]

Yeah... I asked about this... would appear the only TSB they'd cover would be safety and or emission based ones, outside of factory warranty period.

Rob

Originally Posted by powerhoghp

It depends on the kind of tsb..... I have one pending on my 97 Explorer still..... I would look into the aftermarket for a good rad.....

[rsherrard]

Anyone have any ideas on how to contact the Ford field rep in a certain market, i.e. Dallas?

Rob

[powerhoghp]

All 6.4 Radiators are now covered for 5yr/100000 miles - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums

[EdsTowing]

I'm sorry I haven't gotten back to you sooner, but I just looked at the invoice and it doesn't give me warrranty number or anything. This warrenty took place in March if this helps at all. The only thing on the invoice that might indicate a code or something is, "WAR C W Prelim".
Its a shame you get "dicked" around at some of these dealers. The one I deal with can be a love hate thing sometimes. The only thing that helps me is that were a repair and towing company, and I use this dealer ship a lot for parts and such.
I wouldn't trust any of those "stop leak" brands in my truck though. If you did Ford would probaly hold that against you for any other warranty work as well. It seems they try to find any excuse not cover the problems they already know about.