I would shop around for radiator prices......that seems a little high for
what I have seen.

Sean

"cooper" <noone@home.com> wrote in message
news:ftchc.14966$0i3.8629@nntp-post.primus.ca...
> <snip>
> "My Jeep is 4 years old with just over 31K miles I got the 3year 36K do
you
> > think the dealer will replace it for free or will I have too?"
>
> My understanding is he's not under his warranty anymore- doesn't the '3
year
> 36k' mean whichever comes first? His Jeep is 4 years old.
>
> coop
>
>
> "Bob" <magicclaw@mac.com> wrote in message
> news:47b769ae.0404200653.7e029dc1@posting.google.c om...
> > To me, this has warranty written all over it. You paid for the
> > warranty, so use it ;-)
> >
> > Seriously, though, usually warranties are only limited on things like
> > hoses, belts, tires, etc. that are meant to wear out over time.
> > Radiator housings are not one of these sorts of items.
> >
> > I think it is known that the TJs have weak radiators, and I've had
> > friends who had cracks develop in their radiators as well. I expect
> > mine will one day soon. If you weren't in your warranty period still,
> > I'd suggest upgrading to a larger capacity radiator (3 core?).
> > However, since you're still in the warranty period, were I in your
> > shoes, I would just take it to get fixed at the dealer and be done
> > with it.
> >
> > I wish I still had a warranty on my jeep...would've made some of the
> > things I've had to fix much less annoying (infamous exhaust manifold
> > crack, leaking/crunching steering gear, alternator, etc, etc,
> > etc...they all add up $$$!)
> >
> > /Bob
> >
> >
> > wyteker51@aol.com (WYTEKER51) wrote in message
> news:<20040419210656.22188.00000092@mb-m22.aol.com>...
> > > I was just wondering if anybody else has had this problem. I started
> smelling
> > > coolant after I got out of my Jeep. So I started looking for leaks of
> anykind
> > > and could not find any. Since I am a stdent at Wyo Tech right now I
was
> able to
> > > pressure test the radiator cap. It was bad so I replaced it. A couple
of
> days
> > > later I still could smell it and checked again and found a small leak
> around
> > > the thermostat housing. I replaced that and the thermostat. I still
had
> the
> > > smell. Now I found a small leak where the PLASTIC top tank is cracking
> where it
> > > is connected to the METAL core. I am from CA and in school in WY. I
was
> told by
> > > a couple of people that due to the somewhat extreme cold here (had a
> couple of
> > > nights at -36) that due to the cold and all that is was the cause of
the
> crack.
> > > My Jeep is 4 years old with just over 31K miles I got the 3year 36K do
> you
> > > think the dealer will replace it for free or will I have too? I was
> quoted at a
> > > local radiator shop to replace it about $250 with an all brass
radiator.
> So
> > > what do you guys think?
> > >
> > > Thanks in advance
> > >
> > > Scott
>
>

 

Oops! I sit corrected. I kinda read right past the "4 years old" thing...

"cooper" <noone@home.com> wrote in message news:<ftchc.14966$0i3.8629@nntp-post.primus.ca>...
> <snip>
> "My Jeep is 4 years old with just over 31K miles I got the 3year 36K do you
> > think the dealer will replace it for free or will I have too?"
>
> My understanding is he's not under his warranty anymore- doesn't the '3 year
> 36k' mean whichever comes first? His Jeep is 4 years old.
>
> coop
>
>
> "Bob" <magicclaw@mac.com> wrote in message
> news:47b769ae.0404200653.7e029dc1@posting.google.c om...
> > To me, this has warranty written all over it. You paid for the
> > warranty, so use it ;-)
> >
> > Seriously, though, usually warranties are only limited on things like
> > hoses, belts, tires, etc. that are meant to wear out over time.
> > Radiator housings are not one of these sorts of items.
> >
> > I think it is known that the TJs have weak radiators, and I've had
> > friends who had cracks develop in their radiators as well. I expect
> > mine will one day soon. If you weren't in your warranty period still,
> > I'd suggest upgrading to a larger capacity radiator (3 core?).
> > However, since you're still in the warranty period, were I in your
> > shoes, I would just take it to get fixed at the dealer and be done
> > with it.
> >
> > I wish I still had a warranty on my jeep...would've made some of the
> > things I've had to fix much less annoying (infamous exhaust manifold
> > crack, leaking/crunching steering gear, alternator, etc, etc,
> > etc...they all add up $$$!)
> >
> > /Bob
> >
> >
> > wyteker51@aol.com (WYTEKER51) wrote in message
> news:<20040419210656.22188.00000092@mb-m22.aol.com>...
> > > I was just wondering if anybody else has had this problem. I started
> smelling
> > > coolant after I got out of my Jeep. So I started looking for leaks of
> anykind
> > > and could not find any. Since I am a stdent at Wyo Tech right now I was
> able to
> > > pressure test the radiator cap. It was bad so I replaced it. A couple of
> days
> > > later I still could smell it and checked again and found a small leak
> around
> > > the thermostat housing. I replaced that and the thermostat. I still had
> the
> > > smell. Now I found a small leak where the PLASTIC top tank is cracking
> where it
> > > is connected to the METAL core. I am from CA and in school in WY. I was
> told by
> > > a couple of people that due to the somewhat extreme cold here (had a
> couple of
> > > nights at -36) that due to the cold and all that is was the cause of the
> crack.
> > > My Jeep is 4 years old with just over 31K miles I got the 3year 36K do
> you
> > > think the dealer will replace it for free or will I have too? I was
> quoted at a
> > > local radiator shop to replace it about $250 with an all brass radiator.
> So
> > > what do you guys think?
> > >
> > > Thanks in advance
> > >
> > > Scott

 

Oops! I sit corrected. I kinda read right past the "4 years old" thing...

"cooper" <noone@home.com> wrote in message news:<ftchc.14966$0i3.8629@nntp-post.primus.ca>...
> <snip>
> "My Jeep is 4 years old with just over 31K miles I got the 3year 36K do you
> > think the dealer will replace it for free or will I have too?"
>
> My understanding is he's not under his warranty anymore- doesn't the '3 year
> 36k' mean whichever comes first? His Jeep is 4 years old.
>
> coop
>
>
> "Bob" <magicclaw@mac.com> wrote in message
> news:47b769ae.0404200653.7e029dc1@posting.google.c om...
> > To me, this has warranty written all over it. You paid for the
> > warranty, so use it ;-)
> >
> > Seriously, though, usually warranties are only limited on things like
> > hoses, belts, tires, etc. that are meant to wear out over time.
> > Radiator housings are not one of these sorts of items.
> >
> > I think it is known that the TJs have weak radiators, and I've had
> > friends who had cracks develop in their radiators as well. I expect
> > mine will one day soon. If you weren't in your warranty period still,
> > I'd suggest upgrading to a larger capacity radiator (3 core?).
> > However, since you're still in the warranty period, were I in your
> > shoes, I would just take it to get fixed at the dealer and be done
> > with it.
> >
> > I wish I still had a warranty on my jeep...would've made some of the
> > things I've had to fix much less annoying (infamous exhaust manifold
> > crack, leaking/crunching steering gear, alternator, etc, etc,
> > etc...they all add up $$$!)
> >
> > /Bob
> >
> >
> > wyteker51@aol.com (WYTEKER51) wrote in message
> news:<20040419210656.22188.00000092@mb-m22.aol.com>...
> > > I was just wondering if anybody else has had this problem. I started
> smelling
> > > coolant after I got out of my Jeep. So I started looking for leaks of
> anykind
> > > and could not find any. Since I am a stdent at Wyo Tech right now I was
> able to
> > > pressure test the radiator cap. It was bad so I replaced it. A couple of
> days
> > > later I still could smell it and checked again and found a small leak
> around
> > > the thermostat housing. I replaced that and the thermostat. I still had
> the
> > > smell. Now I found a small leak where the PLASTIC top tank is cracking
> where it
> > > is connected to the METAL core. I am from CA and in school in WY. I was
> told by
> > > a couple of people that due to the somewhat extreme cold here (had a
> couple of
> > > nights at -36) that due to the cold and all that is was the cause of the
> crack.
> > > My Jeep is 4 years old with just over 31K miles I got the 3year 36K do
> you
> > > think the dealer will replace it for free or will I have too? I was
> quoted at a
> > > local radiator shop to replace it about $250 with an all brass radiator.
> So
> > > what do you guys think?
> > >
> > > Thanks in advance
> > >
> > > Scott

 

Oops! I sit corrected. I kinda read right past the "4 years old" thing...

"cooper" <noone@home.com> wrote in message news:<ftchc.14966$0i3.8629@nntp-post.primus.ca>...
> <snip>
> "My Jeep is 4 years old with just over 31K miles I got the 3year 36K do you
> > think the dealer will replace it for free or will I have too?"
>
> My understanding is he's not under his warranty anymore- doesn't the '3 year
> 36k' mean whichever comes first? His Jeep is 4 years old.
>
> coop
>
>
> "Bob" <magicclaw@mac.com> wrote in message
> news:47b769ae.0404200653.7e029dc1@posting.google.c om...
> > To me, this has warranty written all over it. You paid for the
> > warranty, so use it ;-)
> >
> > Seriously, though, usually warranties are only limited on things like
> > hoses, belts, tires, etc. that are meant to wear out over time.
> > Radiator housings are not one of these sorts of items.
> >
> > I think it is known that the TJs have weak radiators, and I've had
> > friends who had cracks develop in their radiators as well. I expect
> > mine will one day soon. If you weren't in your warranty period still,
> > I'd suggest upgrading to a larger capacity radiator (3 core?).
> > However, since you're still in the warranty period, were I in your
> > shoes, I would just take it to get fixed at the dealer and be done
> > with it.
> >
> > I wish I still had a warranty on my jeep...would've made some of the
> > things I've had to fix much less annoying (infamous exhaust manifold
> > crack, leaking/crunching steering gear, alternator, etc, etc,
> > etc...they all add up $$$!)
> >
> > /Bob
> >
> >
> > wyteker51@aol.com (WYTEKER51) wrote in message
> news:<20040419210656.22188.00000092@mb-m22.aol.com>...
> > > I was just wondering if anybody else has had this problem. I started
> smelling
> > > coolant after I got out of my Jeep. So I started looking for leaks of
> anykind
> > > and could not find any. Since I am a stdent at Wyo Tech right now I was
> able to
> > > pressure test the radiator cap. It was bad so I replaced it. A couple of
> days
> > > later I still could smell it and checked again and found a small leak
> around
> > > the thermostat housing. I replaced that and the thermostat. I still had
> the
> > > smell. Now I found a small leak where the PLASTIC top tank is cracking
> where it
> > > is connected to the METAL core. I am from CA and in school in WY. I was
> told by
> > > a couple of people that due to the somewhat extreme cold here (had a
> couple of
> > > nights at -36) that due to the cold and all that is was the cause of the
> crack.
> > > My Jeep is 4 years old with just over 31K miles I got the 3year 36K do
> you
> > > think the dealer will replace it for free or will I have too? I was
> quoted at a
> > > local radiator shop to replace it about $250 with an all brass radiator.
> So
> > > what do you guys think?
> > >
> > > Thanks in advance
> > >
> > > Scott

 

Oops! I sit corrected. I kinda read right past the "4 years old" thing...

"cooper" <noone@home.com> wrote in message news:<ftchc.14966$0i3.8629@nntp-post.primus.ca>...
> <snip>
> "My Jeep is 4 years old with just over 31K miles I got the 3year 36K do you
> > think the dealer will replace it for free or will I have too?"
>
> My understanding is he's not under his warranty anymore- doesn't the '3 year
> 36k' mean whichever comes first? His Jeep is 4 years old.
>
> coop
>
>
> "Bob" <magicclaw@mac.com> wrote in message
> news:47b769ae.0404200653.7e029dc1@posting.google.c om...
> > To me, this has warranty written all over it. You paid for the
> > warranty, so use it ;-)
> >
> > Seriously, though, usually warranties are only limited on things like
> > hoses, belts, tires, etc. that are meant to wear out over time.
> > Radiator housings are not one of these sorts of items.
> >
> > I think it is known that the TJs have weak radiators, and I've had
> > friends who had cracks develop in their radiators as well. I expect
> > mine will one day soon. If you weren't in your warranty period still,
> > I'd suggest upgrading to a larger capacity radiator (3 core?).
> > However, since you're still in the warranty period, were I in your
> > shoes, I would just take it to get fixed at the dealer and be done
> > with it.
> >
> > I wish I still had a warranty on my jeep...would've made some of the
> > things I've had to fix much less annoying (infamous exhaust manifold
> > crack, leaking/crunching steering gear, alternator, etc, etc,
> > etc...they all add up $$$!)
> >
> > /Bob
> >
> >
> > wyteker51@aol.com (WYTEKER51) wrote in message
> news:<20040419210656.22188.00000092@mb-m22.aol.com>...
> > > I was just wondering if anybody else has had this problem. I started
> smelling
> > > coolant after I got out of my Jeep. So I started looking for leaks of
> anykind
> > > and could not find any. Since I am a stdent at Wyo Tech right now I was
> able to
> > > pressure test the radiator cap. It was bad so I replaced it. A couple of
> days
> > > later I still could smell it and checked again and found a small leak
> around
> > > the thermostat housing. I replaced that and the thermostat. I still had
> the
> > > smell. Now I found a small leak where the PLASTIC top tank is cracking
> where it
> > > is connected to the METAL core. I am from CA and in school in WY. I was
> told by
> > > a couple of people that due to the somewhat extreme cold here (had a
> couple of
> > > nights at -36) that due to the cold and all that is was the cause of the
> crack.
> > > My Jeep is 4 years old with just over 31K miles I got the 3year 36K do
> you
> > > think the dealer will replace it for free or will I have too? I was
> quoted at a
> > > local radiator shop to replace it about $250 with an all brass radiator.
> So
> > > what do you guys think?
> > >
> > > Thanks in advance
> > >
> > > Scott

 

c did pass the time by typing:
> One other thing to keep in mind. When you have a radiator with the plastic
> tanks, it is imparitive to make sure all of the air is out of your cooling
> system. My friend was told this when he was at the AC Delco training
> facility for A/C and cooling systems. The reason for this is that when the
> coolant gets to operating temp., any air bubble can become a steam pocket
> and rapidly expand, causing an explosion for lack of a better word. This
> causes undo stress on the plastic which can and will eventually start a
> crack. This was confirmed by a Toyota forklift techinician who frequently
> has my friend repair radiators. Take it for what it's worth.

Yep. When you first start the engine cold, have the radiator cap in the
release position (that notch just before it comes off). That allows it
to vent to the overflow bottle while minimizing what will burp.

Then stop the engine, top it off, and do it again. Keep on doing it till
the coolant doesn't go down below the filler neck. You will still have some
air in there and it will slowly come out as the engine heat cycles. That
small amount won't do any harm.

Yes, the thermostat won't open until the engine is warm, but it has a small
hole that allows some coolant to circulate and that's all you need to slowly
fill the radiator.

--
DougW

 

c did pass the time by typing:
> One other thing to keep in mind. When you have a radiator with the plastic
> tanks, it is imparitive to make sure all of the air is out of your cooling
> system. My friend was told this when he was at the AC Delco training
> facility for A/C and cooling systems. The reason for this is that when the
> coolant gets to operating temp., any air bubble can become a steam pocket
> and rapidly expand, causing an explosion for lack of a better word. This
> causes undo stress on the plastic which can and will eventually start a
> crack. This was confirmed by a Toyota forklift techinician who frequently
> has my friend repair radiators. Take it for what it's worth.

Yep. When you first start the engine cold, have the radiator cap in the
release position (that notch just before it comes off). That allows it
to vent to the overflow bottle while minimizing what will burp.

Then stop the engine, top it off, and do it again. Keep on doing it till
the coolant doesn't go down below the filler neck. You will still have some
air in there and it will slowly come out as the engine heat cycles. That
small amount won't do any harm.

Yes, the thermostat won't open until the engine is warm, but it has a small
hole that allows some coolant to circulate and that's all you need to slowly
fill the radiator.

--
DougW

 

c did pass the time by typing:
> One other thing to keep in mind. When you have a radiator with the plastic
> tanks, it is imparitive to make sure all of the air is out of your cooling
> system. My friend was told this when he was at the AC Delco training
> facility for A/C and cooling systems. The reason for this is that when the
> coolant gets to operating temp., any air bubble can become a steam pocket
> and rapidly expand, causing an explosion for lack of a better word. This
> causes undo stress on the plastic which can and will eventually start a
> crack. This was confirmed by a Toyota forklift techinician who frequently
> has my friend repair radiators. Take it for what it's worth.

Yep. When you first start the engine cold, have the radiator cap in the
release position (that notch just before it comes off). That allows it
to vent to the overflow bottle while minimizing what will burp.

Then stop the engine, top it off, and do it again. Keep on doing it till
the coolant doesn't go down below the filler neck. You will still have some
air in there and it will slowly come out as the engine heat cycles. That
small amount won't do any harm.

Yes, the thermostat won't open until the engine is warm, but it has a small
hole that allows some coolant to circulate and that's all you need to slowly
fill the radiator.

--
DougW

 

c did pass the time by typing:
> One other thing to keep in mind. When you have a radiator with the plastic
> tanks, it is imparitive to make sure all of the air is out of your cooling
> system. My friend was told this when he was at the AC Delco training
> facility for A/C and cooling systems. The reason for this is that when the
> coolant gets to operating temp., any air bubble can become a steam pocket
> and rapidly expand, causing an explosion for lack of a better word. This
> causes undo stress on the plastic which can and will eventually start a
> crack. This was confirmed by a Toyota forklift techinician who frequently
> has my friend repair radiators. Take it for what it's worth.

Yep. When you first start the engine cold, have the radiator cap in the
release position (that notch just before it comes off). That allows it
to vent to the overflow bottle while minimizing what will burp.

Then stop the engine, top it off, and do it again. Keep on doing it till
the coolant doesn't go down below the filler neck. You will still have some
air in there and it will slowly come out as the engine heat cycles. That
small amount won't do any harm.

Yes, the thermostat won't open until the engine is warm, but it has a small
hole that allows some coolant to circulate and that's all you need to slowly
fill the radiator.

--
DougW

 

Ok... here's the deal. As far as replacing your radiator goes, go to
www.radiatorbarn.com. They will have a 3 row metal radiator for much less
that what you've been quoted. You can probably install it yourself or find a
shop to do it for pretty cheap.

I had the same problem, only worse. After installing the new radiator, I
started getting bad coolant leaks but it wasn't from the radiator. I found
that it was one of my freeze plugs. Cost me several hundred to get that
fixrd then my water pump went. Oh and I forgot to mention, when the freeze
plug went, all the coolant in my engine came out and it was almost pure
orange... rust all in the engine.

Now, after replacing the radiator, a freeze plug, the water pump, and NOW
the remaining freeze plugs, it seems to be better. Apparently, the previous
owner of my ride put pure well water in instead of coolant and I have had to
pay the price.

Just a piece of advice, have someone check out your system to be sure... :-P

Good luck.
"WYTEKER51" <wyteker51@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20040419210656.22188.00000092@mb-m22.aol.com...
> I was just wondering if anybody else has had this problem. I started
smelling
> coolant after I got out of my Jeep. So I started looking for leaks of
anykind
> and could not find any. Since I am a stdent at Wyo Tech right now I was
able to
> pressure test the radiator cap. It was bad so I replaced it. A couple of
days
> later I still could smell it and checked again and found a small leak
around
> the thermostat housing. I replaced that and the thermostat. I still had
the
> smell. Now I found a small leak where the PLASTIC top tank is cracking
where it
> is connected to the METAL core. I am from CA and in school in WY. I was
told by
> a couple of people that due to the somewhat extreme cold here (had a
couple of
> nights at -36) that due to the cold and all that is was the cause of the
crack.
> My Jeep is 4 years old with just over 31K miles I got the 3year 36K do you
> think the dealer will replace it for free or will I have too? I was quoted
at a
> local radiator shop to replace it about $250 with an all brass radiator.
So
> what do you guys think?
>
> Thanks in advance
>
> Scott
>