CSF Radiator Life Expectancy

[62LostInMn]

I put a new CSF radiator in my 62 in July 2012, ~30k miles ago. It has developed leaks from what appear to be multiple places on a trip up north this past weekend. One is lower passenger side in the fins and it is also wet around the base lip of the upper tank. I put in new coolant with the radiator in 2012 and changed it again earlier this year.

I'm a bit surprised it's leaking already and am wondering what everyone else is seeing for life on these units.

I have a number of car projects going right now and can't take the cruiser off the road. I'm not a fan of stop leak products, but my brother has had great luck with Alumaseal powder. Looking for opinions/feedback on that as well.

Thanks!

 

[HemiAlex]

Can't help in terms of life expectancy but it makes me uncomfortable that I may have to do mine over in a few years.

Used the same radiator a few months ago on mine. No leaks, yet.

 

[ad20k]

My CSF developed a leak in the top tank seam as well about a year after installing. That was back in 2013 and I have just been topping it off every month or so since then.

A bit disappointing it didn't hold up better. It has not bothered me enough to fix, but if it gets worse, I would probably pull it and try to resolder.

 

[62LostInMn]

Wow, one year...

If it was just the upper tank seeping I would carry on for now. The lower leak is leaving a small pizza size spot overnight.

OS
I see Rock Auto has 180 deg T-stats. Do you just cut the spring in the cap to disable?

I'll carry some coolant with me and observe for a while.

 

[roadstr6]

It is posts like these that make me not feel so bad about going with the Champion radiator over CSF. If the Champion fails on me in a year (I doubt if it will) then at least I didn't spend a fortune on it and I didn't go into it expecting OEM quality or durability. Too many folks install the CSF thinking that just because it is copper it will last like the original. Not true. Is there even enough "meat" to a CSF radiator to be able to repair one? Anyone had luck repairing a CSF?

 

[FishTown]

I'll be paying close attention to this one seeing as I just finished installing my CSF...

 

[mongoose2231]

Are the oem rads n/a anymore??

 

[HemiAlex]

Yes, I found them at over $600.

 

[Michael Hanson]

Hi, I'm getting over a decade on mine. I flush out before new install ,use a 50-50 mix of new fluid and use a Gano filter in the upper hose. Burp system completely with cruiser facing up hill. Make sure thermostat does not lock up, when in doubt change it out ! Never had a bad CSF in 30 years. Mike

 

[62LostInMn]

OS - What would happen if I leave the 190deg thermostat in place and just modify the cap? Or is there a lower pressure cap available?

 

[Elbert]

The radiator I got from Autozone has been going strong for years....4core.... not sure if its still there are not. brass type tanks...(OEM Style replacement) spectrum.

 

[FJ40Jim]

CSF in my DD has been in a couple of 60's now. I bought it new in 2000? Might not be as good today, Chicomm economic pressures force all producers to make shoddy product to stay competitive in the race to the bottom.

 

[Godwin]

A couple in the 60s and both > 10 years old and > 100 k miles on each of them. One in the 40 of unknown age and mileage but easily > 10 years.

 

[62LostInMn]

Interesting - Some with long life and some not. Has anyone had one repaired? There was a question above about the amount of material on these that would allow for repairs to be done. I would think yes... l don't like the idea of dropping another $350 for a new one right now.