Spectra radiator lasted 6 months

I've been using a two core plastic/aluminum job from NAPA--pretty sure it is a Spectra--and haven't had any issues for almost two years. I've driven a lot on some pretty bumpy roads and I'm sure the radiator has felt it. I don't pull many long, steep grades but there is a 1 mile 10% I drive daily and when grossing just over 11,000 with a couple yards of soil I never see temps over 215-220, but I also have to ease off the throttle due to EGTs. Although my current setup is working just fine, if I needed a new radiator I would probably try a Champion 3 or 4 row just to see if it makes much of a difference. I'm no fan of plastic but eventually I got comfortable leaning my 250lbs on the plastic tank and nothing's broken yet!

I've had one of the two row radiators in for over two years also. No problems yet, just don't like it...
They told me it was direct replacement. Didn't even check it until I was filling it up!

I failed to mention previously that my mechanical coolant temp gauge would rise to about 200-210* (can't remember what the labeled interval is unless I look at it) and drop back to 190-195* and climb back, repeat every 30-60 seconds when cruising on the highway unloaded. Hasn't been doing recently so I'm guessing it was working the air out of the system, then had too big of an air bubble. Noticed on my way home last night, ate topping the rad off yesterday, that it's not doing that anymore. It's tending to stay between the 2 numbers it would fluctuate between.

franklin2 said:

Remember Autozone, Advance and others have lifetime free "replacement" not "replacements". Big difference. I have returned things for my warranty and they tear up the receipt or mark it up. If they didn't for you good, the person behind the counter forgot. But it's happened to me several times and I have asked about it and they admitted that to me. They will replace it one time only, not multiple times the rest of your life. Hold tight onto your receipt if you can when you go in.

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When I was looking for a replacement steering box I found this out. AutoZone and O'Reilly said it's a one time replacement. After the first exchange you get the basic 90 day warranty, that's it. The only place that actually had a lifetime , unlimited exchange warranty was Napa.

The autozone warrenty is lifetime all the time. Just buy the new part, bring the old one back after R&R'ing and let them know it's a warrenty return.

crash-harris said:

The autozone warrenty is lifetime all the time. Just buy the new part, bring the old one back after R&R'ing and let them know it's a warrenty return.

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This has always been my experience and why they get my business when I need local,and don't go amazon or ebay like I do on most.This is why I payed an extra 70 bucks to buy local on the rad.Ease of warranty (never need a receipt) and no shipping hassles.

Also,alternatively,you can go in and buy another replacement part and then get your $ back when you return the old part.
So in the case of my brake pads,I just did this the other day.Ran in,had him find the lifetime warranty on the computer,bought a set and he said just return the old ones and get the refund.I've done this on a few things to keep the truck going then repair on the weekend with part in hand and save another trip in parts running.They're open late too which is beyond freaking handy.For a local parts store,I like shopping at the zone.Don't forget the rewards too.They really are hard to beat for your basic vehicle needs I think.

crash-harris said:

The autozone warrenty is lifetime all the time. Just buy the new part, bring the old one back after R&R'ing and let them know it's a warrenty return.

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Yep same experience here. The only problem is I'm constantly going over there for warrantied parts lol.
Whatever you do, just don't buy duralast sensors from there. Everything else seems to be ok.

I'm sure they are all the same so the parts guy that I spoke to must have just not known. Good to know, thanks.

I wonder what's wrong with the radiators that they cant get the tanks to seal? All my Hondas have had plastic tanks and it common for those to go 10 years plus. Maybe the pressure from more heat? Weak crimps? Seal misalignment?

I got lucky and bought one of the last few all aluminum Spectras before they discontinued them.

In regard to the plastic tanks I seem to recall towcat telling me he used a rad cap with a lower pressure rating than the stock spec and had zero problems. Ah-ha, found this old post too:

towcat said:

All my towtrucks have 7lb caps in them. all my pickups have 7lb caps too. it is true that 13ls cap raises the boil point but the stresses it puts on a cooling system that big will eventually rip apart a radiator. I have pulled hard over the sierras and through the cont. divide and never had a overheat. To me its a matter of personal preference, i figured that if the big boys are running 7lb systems on big OTR rigs, there really any reason I need to stress out the cooling system on my baby diesel.

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I just threw a champion 4 row into my truck. Being a welder by trade and somewhat OCD I tend to kinda get picky about things that are welded. While the radiators welds aren't great, they are stout. It seems to be well made for a mass produced product! Lol

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The thing about the 13 lb cap isn't just the boiling point according the cavitation article,the author states,the pressure is calculated in with how the SCA's work.Could a feller alter the SCA amount to counter if the author is correct? I dunno.
You'll have to dig through the article,I haven't read it a long while.I'm not knowledgeable enough in this regard to argue for,or against the author so don't ask.

I have always used a 13 lb cap.

Now I gotta get off my lazy ars.Stop drinking coffee and go swap my radiator lol.

FORDF250HDXLT said:

The thing about the 13 lb cap isn't just the boiling point according the cavitation article,the author states,the pressure is calculated in with how the SCA's work.Could a feller alter the SCA amount to counter if the author is correct? I dunno.
You'll have to dig through the article,I haven't read it a long while.I'm not knowledgeable enough in this regard to argue for,or against the author so don't ask.

I have always used a 13 lb cap.

Now I gotta get off my lazy ars.Stop drinking coffee and go swap my radiator lol.

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Haha have fun with that!

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FORDF250HDXLT said:

Now I gotta get off my lazy ars.Stop drinking coffee and go swap my radiator lol.

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The Spectra replacement for mine just came so looks like I will be doing the same thing today. I sure hope that this one holds up.

I dunno guys.We'll see if it lasts.You can see my ready rad brand,copper/brass (2nd replacement I'm pretty sure.I'd have to look at my records) has been leaking for some time.
I hope this plastic and aluminum can cool.



One advantage.......it sure was a whole lot lighter and easier to lift up in there!

The overflow port is smaller than OEM.Thanks for the heads up guys! lol.I'll have to run a smaller size hose over.No biggie.