Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » [GMCnet] Aluminum rad issues
| [GMCnet] Aluminum rad issues [message #271491] |
Mon, 09 February 2015 09:19  |
GMC.LES
Messages: 505
Registered: April 2014
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Miguel posted this on FB.
I thought it might be of interest here.
Miguel Mendez 8:13am Feb 9
something I ran into a week or so ago, Had a customer call with a failed trans and over heating in the water temp., It was a nice day, sunny and warm, so, I rode my motorcycle and enjoyed the ride, about 58 miles one way, when I got there, the darndest thing , 1st, I pulled the trans dipstick, found foamy pink fluid, ask him if he added anything to his trans, you know, the fix all trans snake oil stuff, he said no, not at all, I really was at a lost, so, I went up front to check the cooling system and noticed the same fluid in the Aluminum radiator, again, at a bigger lost, same ?, did you add anything to the cooling system, he said nope, so, all I could figure is, the internal trans cooler in the Dobson Aluminum radiator failed, allowing the coolant and the trans fluid to mix up and finally causing the trans failure, contacted other venders to see if I was smoking something wrong here and the other said, they ran into the same problem, one vendor said he had had 7 failure of
this nature and, the vendor of the aluminum radiators will not cover anything on the damage , not even the radiators, so, please keep and eye open for pink fluid, this does not mean every one is going to fail, this radiator is just over 1 year old so, those who have had theirs in for longer might be safe, Just something to keep an eye on
Les Burt
Montreal
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| Re: [GMCnet] Aluminum rad issues [message #271494 is a reply to message #271492] |
Mon, 09 February 2015 09:54  |
Dolph Santorine
Messages: 1236
Registered: April 2011
Location: Wheeling, WV
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Made in USA, but they have become really, really sloppy in recent years.
The first one I received was so sloppy the lines would not seat.
Of course, it was my fault
The second one is better, but it's about a year old, and now you have me worried.
Dolph Santorine
On Feb 9, 2015, at 10:39 AM, David H. Jarvis wrote:
> Made in China?
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| Re: [GMCnet] Aluminum rad issues [message #271495 is a reply to message #271491] |
Mon, 09 February 2015 10:11 |
powwerjon
Messages: 849
Registered: March 2013
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I have not heard of any failures of the new aluminum radiators, but that doesn’t mean that there have been failures. The questions that I would have here is that was the radiator grounded properly and did it have galvanic protection? There has been several email on this subject in January and there is even an anode to put into to protect it. Galvanic corrosion can be the enemy of your new aluminum over time. Aluminum has a much higher potential for corrosion over copper/brass/bronze materials such as the OEM radiator. That is why the Zink anode is important to prevent damage.
http://gmc.mybirdfeeder.net/GMCforum/index.php?t=msg&goto=270603&rid=0&srch=radiator+grounding#msg_270603
or
http://tinyurl.com/pnmurup
http://www.appliedgmc.com/prod.itml/icOid/1349
J.R. Wright
30' Buskirk Stretch
Michigan
On Location in Tucson
> On Feb 9, 2015, at 8:19 AM, Les Burt wrote:
>
> Miguel posted this on FB.
> I thought it might be of interest here.
>
>
> Miguel Mendez 8:13am Feb 9
> something I ran into a week or so ago, Had a customer call with a failed trans and over heating in the water temp., It was a nice day, sunny and warm, so, I rode my motorcycle and enjoyed the ride, about 58 miles one way, when I got there, the darndest thing , 1st, I pulled the trans dipstick, found foamy pink fluid, ask him if he added anything to his trans, you know, the fix all trans snake oil stuff, he said no, not at all, I really was at a lost, so, I went up front to check the cooling system and noticed the same fluid in the Aluminum radiator, again, at a bigger lost, same ?, did you add anything to the cooling system, he said nope, so, all I could figure is, the internal trans cooler in the Dobson Aluminum radiator failed, allowing the coolant and the trans fluid to mix up and finally causing the trans failure, contacted other venders to see if I was smoking something wrong here and the other said, they ran into the same problem, one vendor said he had had 7 failure of
> this nature and, the vendor of the aluminum radiators will not cover anything on the damage , not even the radiators, so, please keep and eye open for pink fluid, this does not mean every one is going to fail, this radiator is just over 1 year old so, those who have had theirs in for longer might be safe, Just something to keep an eye on
>
>
> Les Burt
> Montreal
>
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| Re: [GMCnet] Aluminum rad issues [message #271496 is a reply to message #271491] |
Mon, 09 February 2015 10:24 |
kerry pinkerton
Messages: 2565
Registered: July 2012
Location: Harvest, Al
Karma: 15
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I've known of such problems in regular radiators of many brands over the years. I never gave it much thought until it happened to me on a Chevy Pickup once.
I recently put a pressure gauge on my tranny and it normally runs 100 psi but goes higher on hard pulls. Given that the pressure in the radiator is limited by the radiator cap and is certainly less than 20 psi. I'm wondering if the failure could be caused by high trans cooler pressure and low radiator pressure. Kinds of makes a case for an external tranny cooler. I already have an external cooler for the engine oil.
My aluminum radiator is 5 years old with no signs of problems but something like this is going to be a sudden failure, not a small leak. In a battle of strength, 100+ PSI is going to win over 20- PSI most every time.
Kerry Pinkerton - North Alabama
Had 5 over the years. Currently have a '06 Fleetwood Discovery 39L
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| Re: [GMCnet] Aluminum rad issues [message #271498 is a reply to message #271497] |
Mon, 09 February 2015 10:45 |
kerry pinkerton
Messages: 2565
Registered: July 2012
Location: Harvest, Al
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MIGUEL MENDEZ wrote on Mon, 09 February 2015 10:38I do not think that the trans oil going out to the cooler is running that high in pressure, I might be wrong, but I believe it is much lower
I think you're right Miguel, I'm reading pressure at the test port, not the cooler lines.
Kerry Pinkerton - North Alabama
Had 5 over the years. Currently have a '06 Fleetwood Discovery 39L
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| Re: [GMCnet] Aluminum rad issues [message #271544 is a reply to message #271491] |
Mon, 09 February 2015 20:46 |
bobby5832708
Messages: 237
Registered: November 2006
Location: Winter Springs FL
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Kerry,
You said:
" In a battle of strength, 100+ PSI is going to win over 20- PSI most every time. "
But when you turn off the hot engine now there is zero psi in the trans cooler lines and 9, 12, 15, or whatever psi in the radiator. Then the coolant leaks into the transmission until the engine cools down and the psi in the radiator goes away. The statement then would be changed to "In a battle of strength, 15 PSI is going to win over 0 PSI most every time."
Bob Heller
2017 Winnebago 29VE
Winter Springs FL
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| Re: [GMCnet] Aluminum rad issues [message #271562 is a reply to message #271560] |
Mon, 09 February 2015 23:48 |
mrgmc3
Messages: 210
Registered: September 2013
Location: W Washington
Karma: 2
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The Griffin aluminum radiators come with a warranty registration card so I assume they come with a warranty. Bought it through Jim K.
Chris Geils - Twin Cities / W Wa
1978 26' Kingsley w/ very few mods; PD9040, aux trans cooler, one repaint in stock colors, R134a, Al rad, Alcoas, 54k mi
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| Re: [GMCnet] Aluminum rad issues [message #271565 is a reply to message #271559] |
Mon, 09 February 2015 23:54 |
sgltrac
Messages: 2797
Registered: April 2011
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Aftermarket overseas radiators and condensers are all that insurance companies will pay for unless they are unavailable for a given application. I have replaced hundreds of radiators and cannot remember one failure. We have had some issues with the ac condensers however. Still very unlikely to have an issue with them that isn't apparent during install like wrong physical shape or hose fittings wrong size.
Todd Sullivan
Sully
77 royale
Seattle
> On Feb 9, 2015, at 9:20 PM, Terry wrote:
>
> I just put one of the China-made aluminum rads in a customers' 1991 Buick with an automatic. Went in like Flynn, was too easy, and everything lined up
> exactly. Hope it doesn't come back to bite me... 8o
> --
> Terry Kelpien
> ASE Master Technician
> 73 Glacier 260
> Smithfield, Va.
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Sully
77 Royale basket case.
Future motorhome land speed record holder(bucket list)
Seattle, Wa.
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| Re: [GMCnet] Aluminum rad issues [message #271568 is a reply to message #271560] |
Tue, 10 February 2015 00:00 |
sgltrac
Messages: 2797
Registered: April 2011
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Agreed Gene. All our coolin stuff is purchased from performance radiator because they almost always have it in our door within hours and when I have had a warranty claim they just paid it. Too bad they cannot get a radiator for the gmc. Tried that years ago.
Todd Sullivan
Sully
77 royale
Seattle
> On Feb 9, 2015, at 9:27 PM, gene barrow wrote:
>
> Lack of supplier warranty support is concerning. What's up with that?
> --
> Gene Barrow
> Lake Almanor, Ca.
> 1976 Palm Beach
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Sully
77 Royale basket case.
Future motorhome land speed record holder(bucket list)
Seattle, Wa.
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| Re: [GMCnet] Aluminum rad issues [message #271610 is a reply to message #271491] |
Tue, 10 February 2015 10:29 |
jhbridges
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
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Well, in that the maker refuses to warrant the one which failed, I suggest cutting it apart (destructive testing) and seeing how it actually >did< fail... corrosion holes, or pressure split or a combination of the two. It might save someone else's trans or engine in the future, and won't decrease the scrap value of the aluminum.
--johnny
Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
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| Re: [GMCnet] Aluminum rad issues [message #271624 is a reply to message #271610] |
Tue, 10 February 2015 11:47 |
GMC.LES
Messages: 505
Registered: April 2014
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As curious as I am about what caused the failure, if it were mine, I wouldn't do that as the rad still functions as a radiator. I would just disconnect the internal trans oil cooler and run an external. At least then I wouldn't loose my investment into the rad completely. Not the ideal solution, but it saves some $$.
Les Burt
Montreal
'75 Eleganza 26'
The EWIP (Eternal Work In Progress)
> On Feb 10, 2015, at 11:29 AM, Johnny Bridges wrote:
>
> Well, in that the maker refuses to warrant the one which failed, I suggest cutting it apart (destructive testing) and seeing how it actually >did fail... corrosion holes, or pressure split or a combination of the two. It might save someone else's trans or engine in the future, and won't
> decrease the scrap value of the aluminum.
>
> --johnny
>
> --
> '76 23' transmode Norris upfit
> Braselton, Ga.
>
> "Sometimes I wonder what tomorrow's gonna bring when I think about my dirty life and times" --Warren Zevon
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| Re: [GMCnet] Aluminum rad issues [message #271645 is a reply to message #271633] |
Tue, 10 February 2015 17:47 |
Dolph Santorine
Messages: 1236
Registered: April 2011
Location: Wheeling, WV
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This leads me to do some testing.
Thought on the pressure I should run through the trans cooler?
How about the oil cooler?
I have a radiator tester that will apply up to about 17 psi (easy test)
Thoughts?
Dolph
DE N8JPC
Wheeling, West Virginia
1977 GMC 26' Palm Beach
TZE167V100820
1976 GMC 26' Donor Coach
TZE166V101610
> On Feb 10, 2015, at 4:31 PM, Johnny Bridges wrote:
>
> I'd still retire it and hack it apart on the theory of >if< it was corrosion, everything else in it is corroding too, and it ain't gonna be long
> before it fails to the outside. I'm cheeeep, but I ain't that cheeeep :)
>
> --johnny
> --
> '76 23' transmode Norris upfit
> Braselton, Ga.
>
> "Sometimes I wonder what tomorrow's gonna bring when I think about my dirty life and times" --Warren Zevon
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| Re: [GMCnet] Aluminum rad issues [message #271648 is a reply to message #271491] |
Tue, 10 February 2015 19:27 |
JohnL455
Messages: 4447
Registered: October 2006
Location: Woodstock, IL
Karma: 12
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As far as I know, there is NO new copper and brass finned tube work being done in the United States of America. If someone knows of any please let me know. Alum radiators are a bad combo with cast iron engines. Just my observation.
John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II
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| Re: [GMCnet] Aluminum rad issues [message #271649 is a reply to message #271645] |
Tue, 10 February 2015 19:27 |
Ken Henderson
Messages: 8726
Registered: March 2004
Location: Americus, GA
Karma: 9
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Someone posted recently that Griffin tests the aluminum radiators to 30
psi. I wouldn't go above that. But I WOULD pressure test it as well as
examine it carefully for signs of corrosion. I'd probably test the
internal coolers separately from the radiator, probably to a higher
pressure (with the cap removed). If you find a leak or destroy an
auxiliary cooler, you can always cap that and still use the radiator.
I wouldn't give up on it yet.
Ken H.
On Tue, Feb 10, 2015 at 6:47 PM, Dolph Santorine
wrote:
> This leads me to do some testing.
>
> Thought on the pressure I should run through the trans cooler?
>
> How about the oil cooler?
>
> I have a radiator tester that will apply up to about 17 psi (easy test)
>
> Thoughts?
>
>
> Dolph
>
> DE N8JPC
>
> Wheeling, West Virginia
>
> 1977 GMC 26' Palm Beach
> TZE167V100820
>
> 1976 GMC 26' Donor Coach
> TZE166V101610
>
>
>
>> On Feb 10, 2015, at 4:31 PM, Johnny Bridges wrote:
>>
>> I'd still retire it and hack it apart on the theory of >if< it was
> corrosion, everything else in it is corroding too, and it ain't gonna be
> long
>> before it fails to the outside. I'm cheeeep, but I ain't that cheeeep :)
>>
>> --johnny
>> --
>> '76 23' transmode Norris upfit
>> Braselton, Ga.
>>
>> "Sometimes I wonder what tomorrow's gonna bring when I think about my
> dirty life and times" --Warren Zevon
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
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Ken Henderson
Americus, GA
www.gmcwipersetc.com
Large Wiring Diagrams
76 X-Birchaven
76 X-Palm Beach
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