I am going to ask for a replacement for the following reasons after reading the posts,
2) The service person stated that "the nipple was welded aluminum and stronger then orginal" and if it was plastic they would have replaced it.
BOTH UPPER AND LOWER TANKS ARE PLASTIC AS IS THE NIPPLE. IF THEY WILL NOT REPLACE THE RADIATOR THEN AT LEAST ASK FOR A NEW UPPER TANK. AS I STATED BEFORE, THERE IS A KIT TO REPAIR THE NIPPLE WHICH IS PROBABLY WHAT THEY WANT TO DO AND HERE IS THE LINK IN CASE YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE IT BEFORE:
Radiator Express
3) I will be going to Canada and in the past have been in truck thru some nasty blizzards and in the truck for greater then 12 hours.
4) I will be travelling with a four year old.
5) I feel that a fix on the plastic is prone to failure with exposure to extreme cold and heat. One year warranty is not sufficient if the radiator without the repair would last another 165,000 miles. I get it flushed yearly.
6) Regardless of their descion I am fine with the vehicle as is at home but not while travelling.
Arun James