Foretravel Owners' Forum For owners and Fans of Foretravel Motorcoaches September 10, 2025 ...

Radiator replacement cost vs maintenance

May 31, 2011, 11:23:41 pm

Did anyone inquire about the cost of replacing their radiator?? VERY expensive. On our 89 GV cost for the radiator alone was $1500.00

Replacing the antifreeze within a specified time frame minimizes the effect deteriorated antifreeze can cause to the solder holding the radiator together. What, if anything, can be done to verify that the antifreeze is still good? Send a sample in like is done with the engine oil or just play safe and replace antifreeze every 2-3 years?
The hotter the engine runs the bigger the radiator and more thermal expansion so the solder composition goes from 50/50% lead and tin to 90% lead and 10% tin to allow for the thermal flexing. This new ratio lowers the resistance to the acidity in old antifreeze. The lead is eaten away and the result is lots of leaks.

Quote Selected

Re: Radiator replacement cost vs maintenance

Reply #1 – May 31, 2011, 11:39:43 pm

it is a good idea to change your antifreeze every two years on your birthday as a reminder. cause it will start to eat your rad out from the inside also you should check the voltage in jyour coolant to make sure you dont have a bad ground somewhere that does the samething

Quote Selected

Re: Radiator replacement cost vs maintenance

Reply #2 – May 31, 2011, 11:57:00 pm

Recommended change interval depends on what coolant you use.

If one of the newer OAT-based long-life coolants, they are good for 6 years with the addition of a booster after three years.

Basic "low silicate for diesel coolant with added SCA" every three years AND you must check and replenish SCA's!

Brett

Quote Selected

Re: Radiator replacement cost vs maintenance

Reply #3 – June 01, 2011, 01:04:30 am

yes thats the same thing my boss say after owning a radaitor shop for thirty years.

Quote Selected

Re: Radiator replacement cost vs maintenance

Reply #4 – June 01, 2011, 01:56:45 am

New radiator for 02 U270 with ISL 400 costs more that twice that amount.  Only source at the time I needed one was FOT, and I was in Spokane, Washington.  Only one in stock.  Local radiator shop unwilling to guarantee a repair.  New radiator came with 1 year protection.  Tech talked with James Triana a couple of time, and James faxed instructions about how to form and where to weld reinforcement.

Add freight (and potentially serveral days of down time), labor (side mount, but still a pretty big project to get it out and back), assorted related parts and materials, taxes, and if you are not yet in the $5K neighborhood, you sure can see it clearly from where you are.  Although I am self-insuring now, I was really relieved to have had extended service contract at that time.

In my case, the core was separating from both sides.  First became evident from wet spots on the ground in a rest area after a several hours of driving at the end of a multi-day trip.  Led to finding radiator reservoir nearly empty, although it had been full a week before.  Short inspection underneath confirmed worst fears.  Never registered on dash temperature gauge.  Must have caught it just ahead of a potentially more serious and seriously more expensive situation.  Fortunately, I had a gallon of coolant along, and was within an hour of a previously scheduled service appointment.

Lesson learned.  At the very least, whatever you do for periodic maintenance, be righteous about checking ground under radiator for evidence of leaks, and checking radiator reservoir - and carrying an extra gallon of coolant.

Bob

Quote Selected