2nd Mishimoto radiator leaking

adam302gt · Apr 28, 2008

Mishimoto was great about replacing my first leaky radiator, but now the second one i got is leaking again like the first one after only a couple of months. It is a slow leak on the passenger side, just like other people have had issues with. I personally think the solid welds from the crossovers to the side tanks cannot hold up to the constant expanding and retraction with the heating and cooling of the aluminum (which is why the plastic stock ones hold up much better).

I love the cooling but i am tempted just to go back to stock because i am tired of changing out leaky radiators and don't want to keep paying for shipping on warranty replacements. Anyone tried to have mishimoto refund their money? I bet they will just want to send me a replacement...

Chythar · Apr 28, 2008

The passenger's side of the radiator leaks for everyone 'cause that's a flex point for the chassis. All my radiators have leaked from that side, no matter what the brand. I wonder, if you installed subframe connectors would you keep getting radiator leaks?

94GTCoupe · Apr 28, 2008

i was thinking the same thing,Chythar.my stock radiator has a small leak on the passanger side.when i get stimulated by the IRS,i'll test that idea.i've decided on the mishimoto radiator with a set of BBK sub-frame connectors.

Venom351R · Apr 28, 2008

I have this going in next month. I hope I don't have the same issues. I have sub frame connectors and a 4 point cage. I hope its enough to keep the chassis flex from busting the radiator.

adam302gt · Apr 28, 2008

I guess the chassis flex is the same principle as my theory about the flexing with heating and cooling...either way i guess the plastic stock one has a little more give than the solid welded aluminum ones.

I do not have subframes and i drive mine as a daily driver. I have been thinking about subframes for a while, maybe it is time...

So, anyone tried to get their money back from mishimoto on a return or are they all about giving out replacements?

Venom351R · Apr 28, 2008

Fluidynes leak to and they cost $400 so I figured I was not losing out on going with a Mishimoto. I'll post a thread after its in wheather it leaks or not

95riosnake · Apr 28, 2008

Hearing about all these aluminum radiators leaking (no matter what brand) makes me glad I am doing fine with a stock replacement, and even more glad I decided against spending the extra coin on upgrading

Venom351R · Apr 28, 2008

I hope it does not turn out to be a regret but I have a stock one now that's plugged with radiator stop leak and I don't want to count on that all the time so I figured I might as well upgrade.

adam302gt · Apr 28, 2008

Does that stop leak stuff work? I am kinda scared about that junk going through my waterpump, engine block, thermostat, etc. I wouldn't want it plugging up a hole that it shouldn't be.

Venom351R · Apr 28, 2008

adam302gt said:
Does that stop leak stuff work? I am kinda scared about that junk going through my waterpump, engine block, thermostat, etc. I wouldn't want it plugging up a hole that it shouldn't be.

It worked great. I did it right before I drove the car back from FL so I needed a quick fix b/c I was leaving the next morn when it started leaking. Its held just about a year now, but nothing I want to rely on for a long period of time and Id like it to run as cool as possible and that wont happen w/ the stock radiator.

Blackened302 · Apr 28, 2008

damn, that sucks... i've been lucky.. hadn't had any issues at all--i've had mine since the group buy and although i've only gotten on the car maybe 10 times since then, it's been running nice and cool.

mustang6tee8 · Apr 28, 2008

I'm puting mine in on Friday. I've got subframe connectors on my car. I'll let yall know if anything happens.

Venom351R · Apr 28, 2008

mustang6tee8 said:
I'm puting mine in on Friday. I've got subframe connectors on my car. I'll let yall know if anything happens.

thanks Id really like to know, you will have yours in just shy of a month before mine goes in.

94-302-vert · Apr 29, 2008

Redline_351R said:
I have this going in next month. I hope I don't have the same issues. I have sub frame connectors and a 4 point cage. I hope its enough to keep the chassis flex from busting the radiator.

Granted I have a vert... but with the 4-point, welded in subframe connectors I had my mishimoto last only weeks before the braze joints cracked with a good bump to the suspension...

Also failed on teh pass side of the car...

What do you guys mean that is a flex point?

Venom351R · Apr 29, 2008

94-302-vert said:
Granted I have a vert... but with the 4-point, welded in subframe connectors I had my mishimoto last only weeks before the braze joints cracked with a good bump to the suspension...

Also failed on teh pass side of the car...

What do you guys mean that is a flex point?

its just a point at where the chassis will flex when under load. Do you guys that have had them leak run a strut tower brace?

94-302-vert · Apr 29, 2008

Redline_351R said:
its just a point at where the chassis will flex when under load. Do you guys that have had them leak run a strut tower brace?

At the time I did not have my STB...

adam302gt · May 2, 2008

yes, i still had my STB installed

'94ChickStang · May 2, 2008

Dont use stop leak, it's no good and will void any warranties you have. The OE Visteon replacement rad is more than enough for your combo unless there's something I'm missing, and the best possible radiator that can go in the car besides the Visteon all aluminum imo

Flyidyne's stink and have a high warranty/failure rate, I don't work in cooling parts any more but I'd imagine these Mishimoto crappers are even worse from what I've seen and heard just on this forum.

Venom351R · May 2, 2008

94-302-vert said:
At the time I did not have my STB...

adam302gt said:
yes, i still had my STB installed

well that got us no where

mustang6tee8 · May 3, 2008

I got the Mishimoto in yesterday as stated above. If anything happens... I'll let yall know.

Again, I have SFC's and STB

2nd Mishimoto radiator leaking

adam302gt

New Member

Chythar

Recently finished repairing my rear

94GTCoupe

Venom351R

adam302gt

New Member

Venom351R

95riosnake

Member

Venom351R

adam302gt

New Member

Venom351R

Blackened302

Active Member

mustang6tee8

Member

Venom351R

94-302-vert

Active Member

Venom351R

94-302-vert

Active Member

adam302gt

New Member

'94ChickStang

Member

Venom351R

mustang6tee8

Member

Similar threads

2nd Mishimoto radiator leaking

New Member

Recently finished repairing my rear

New Member

Member

New Member

Active Member

Member

Active Member

Active Member

New Member

Member

Member

Similar threads

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency