Blue_Thunder

iTrader: (1)

So, I installed a new Mishimoto Rad in the spring since my stock one started leaking in the plastic sides. Not even 6 months with this new 3 core radiator and the whole top is leaking. I'm right in the middle of the biggest car show in the area (28th street metro cruise) and its over for me. I'm pissed.

Ive done some digging online (Mishimoto is big name with the tuner cars) and it seems these radiators have issues with their welds...

I hope their lifetime warranty is as good as it claims to be cause this is ridicules.

So I say be forewarned that these radiators seem to have poor welds, which is disappointing.

DynoDave43

iTrader: (11)

Sorry to hear that...thanks for the warning.

86_Dan_Z28

iTrader: (1)

Pictures?

Street Lethal

iTrader: (16)

Sorry to hear that, thanks for the heads up....

Blue_Thunder

iTrader: (1)

Here is a photo where the weld cracked. Its hard to see where it split but you can clearly see the coolant stain on the radiator. This was taken just after I discovered the leak. It got far worse to the point that the radiator couldn't hold any pressure and I nearly overheated.

The good news, the Mishimoto customer service is very fast. Got back to me today and a new Radiator is being shipped (just paid a $30 for it).

So, hopefully this radiator will hold together for more than 2500 miles. And I will give Mishimoto an A+ in customer service.

cs80camaro

Good that they stand behind the product

3rd gen Will

iTrader: (8)

Just want to make sure I understand correctly. You have to pay $30 to get a replacement radiator for one that failed? If that is the case I wouldn't be giving them an A+ on customer service.

Blue_Thunder

iTrader: (1)

So, I got my replacement radiator today. Minus the UPS messup it came quickly. Opened the box and I am not liking the welds on the ends tanks of the radiator up top. They do not wrap around the entire top of the endtank. I can see gaps in between the sidetank and core...

Needless to say I am not thrilled with this.

An email with photos has been sent to Mishimoto. This is not making me confident in their product.

The photos are of the endtank by the filler neck. Right where my 6 month old radiator failed...

Edit: Checked today and have no emails from the company a day latter (kinda pissed). I do however know who the service rep is handling this, and I cannot even begin to pronounce their name.... Thats not a good sign to me.

Mishimoto

I apologize for the issues you are having with our radiators! The gap in the welding shown is not an issue, this portion of the radiator does not require a full weld as it is not exposed to the internal coolant tubes. Sending you a PM shortly regarding your issues with contacting our customer service team!

OrangeBird

iTrader: (1)

With all due respect here , sir , THOSE WELDS ARE HIDEOUS !!!!!

If I got sent that I would most certainly want yet another new radiator , one that looks like it was welded by someone who actually knows how to weld . You should be ashamed to have your name associated with the photographs the OP has posted and you should really be sending him a radiator with the welds done right as well as an apology ! To be clear I not only agree with the OP that the weld should have ran the whole span shown , but I also state my own personal opinion that the weld that is there looks like it was done by a novice welder .

Not the kind of thing I'd $pend my hard earned $$$ on , that"s for sure ....

Blue_Thunder

iTrader: (1)

I also understand that issues happen with companies products, nobody is perfect. Champion had defective radiators for our cars as well (pinched cooling tubes). That being said, the welds on the new radiator don't look good at all or even finished. And this is the big part: My 1st radiator from you guys started leaking profusely and couldn't hold any pressure at that exact same weld and the upper seam. I started to boil over just over 200 degrees. That cost me the weekend of the 28th street metro cruise, a 15,000 car, car show and cruise.

I have a trouble ticket open currently with your customer support. I was told the photos had been sent to the R&D department. Ive been waiting to hear back. I understand that may take some time for them to look into this.

I want to be able to use your product. It was recommended to me by several of my friends. My first radiator fails (it can happen) And I receive my 2nd one in a timely manner. I am upset that this happened but understand that things like this just do happen. Where I am a bit angry is when I see my new radiator, welds look horrible, don't look finished, and with burn marks on other welds (which I didn't upload photos of but can).

I am waiting to hear back from R&D before I make any decision to use this replacement radiator or not, and I may take it to a radiator repair shop to have them take a look at it. At this time I cannot recommend to the people on the site to use this radiator. The quality just doesn't befit a radiator that is sold on your companies website for $420. Maybe its a bad batch or a quality control issue I don't know, but it ain't right.


Ive taken my photos to several well known welders that are gearheads. They all have said the same thing. Most laughed and said thats a junk weld job. IDK, this whole debacle is just turning me off from trying new products. The last thing I need is to cook my engine....

And, just a month prior I had my car on the MIS speedway, I couldn't imagine the horrors if the radiator had decided to fail like it did on a NASCAR track.

gsmarcano

thanks for the heads up, I am after a new radiator too.

Johnny Blaze

iTrader: (15)

Stevie Womder can weld better than that!

Blue_Thunder

iTrader: (1)

Well I figure I would give an update since I received an email about the welding quality (or lack there of). The welds in my photos are indeed supposed to look like that according to the R & D department. That kinda scares me and also leads me to believe all their radiators (at least for our cars) have the horrible welds.

And since my current radiator cracked at these very welds I have to assume this may be a recurring problem. I will be using this radiator (as my budget doesn't include buying another radiator this winter) and hopefully it won't fail like my last. I am not impressed with Mishimoto radiators.

Johnny Blaze

iTrader: (15)

Show those welds to a vocational school welding teacher and ask if they would get a passing grade.

OrangeBird

iTrader: (1)

I am very sad to read this and I had hoped Mishimoto would have seen the bad welds and made good on it . Instead they have some "R & D" department proclaim those welds as trustworthy ? BUNK !!!!!! I am NOT saying this to brag or be Mr. Internet expert , my training background includes an F.A.A. issued A/P mechanic's license (Airframe and Powerplant) and welding does play an important part in the inspection and maintenance of aircraft . I am specifically trained to spot bad or failing welds as folks lives literally depend in it and I would absolutely write up those welds as NOT flightworthy due to their poor quality . The "puddling" of welding material on the surface , looking more like blobs of metal deposited at improper temperature , are a clear indication of the welder's lack of skill at joining metal . Mishimoto had a chance to do the right thing here but instead chose to "take the money and run" , Well , I hope that is the LAST money they get from any other fellow third gen owners and I really DO appreciate Blue Thunder giving us the heads up about Mishimoto's lack of quality and customer service .

Shame on you , Mishimoto , for dirty dealing Blue Thunder here

Blue_Thunder

iTrader: (1)

Well, I was at Street Rod Nationals North today and spoke with Superior Radiator, which is an in state company that builds custom radiators. They can make a custom 2 core with 1 inch tubing that is direct fit for around $350. All made in house. I believe it takes about 2 weeks to make. I sent a reply to Mishimoto regarding the poor quality and how unsatisfied I am with their product. I stated unless a fully welded radiator can be sent to me then I am requesting a refund. We will see how this pans out.

formula forever

I am going to be in the market for a new radiator. Just glad im reading all the info on this matter.

heat seeker

iTrader: (5)

I bought a Griffin 2-core radiator from Summit (thru ebay) in march of this year. It was $173 with free shipping, looks nice and hasn't leaked a bit.

I'd buy one again from them if needed.

formula forever

how was that one fitting into a thirdgen? any problems? did it have the threads for the trans line?

heat seeker

iTrader: (5)

No mine was not a stock version, and it doesn't have the tranny cooler. My dimensions were 31"x16", about 3" shorter than stock.

Johnny Blaze

iTrader: (15)

Got a part number?

heat seeker

iTrader: (5)

Here's the ebay link....Summit Racing Part Number: GRI-1-25271-X

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Giffin-Radiator-Universal-Aluminum-Natural-31-Wide-16-High-3-0-Thick-Each-/331318407234?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4d241db042&vxp=mtr

Blue_Thunder

iTrader: (1)

Well, a week ago the company said they sent my photos and complaint about the new radiator to the management (after R&D said there is no problem). Still no response from the company. They told me they would get back with me that day... Still waiting.

This is **** poor customer service at this point. I sent them another email saying I am done and I want my money back. I will not be using Mishimoto ever again for a radiator.

Mishimoto

Sorry for the delay in response from our Customer Service team! Would you mind sending a PM with your full name so we I can expedite a response from our team?

I apologize for the experience you have had with our radiator and customer service.

Speedfreak391

iTrader: (1)

I am from the GR area and I bought this radiator and I have had really good luck so far. Take a look at the link. It looks very nice also.

https://www.radiatorexpress.com/prod...aia_id=1035627

IROCmenace

iTrader: (1)

Mine is good this far. decent fitment, had to use heater hose cut in half for upper vibration dampeners and ditch the factory ones but other than that it fits good and cools really good. My Stant Lever Vent cap fits perfect.

Note: make sure you shake yours and nothing is rattling. I found a small disk of metal in mine from the drilled NPT holes.

cuisinartvette

Dont see why it wouldnt hold

How much was it (price) just curious

DynoDave43

iTrader: (11)

Blue_Thunder: Was this matter ever resolved?

GXP

I know Champions have been iffy on here, but I am pretty satisfied with mine. I drove it about 1500 miles or so before parking it and it kept it cooler than stock on my 305. The actual trans cooler line is beginning to rust and the tubes connecting to the radiator are beginning to crack from age. Even with that steady coolant leak (not from the radiator), it stayed below midline. Despite the thread saying it was a "perfect fit," the rubber mounts needed to be removed entirely in my case, and even then it was still a good 1-2" too tall. Nothing a new top fan mount won't fix though. Still sits low enough for hood clearance. The 3 core I got for $230 I believe with the lifetime warranty.

I've seen Mishimoto and I'm really sorry you had a poor experience. I'm by no means an expert but even I can tell the welds look shotty. I try to stick with American as much as possible even when it may cost a little extra. I wasn't disappointed.

articwhiteZ

iTrader: (56)

you had one fail...they sent a 2nd one to you..you paid shipping...not as nice as getting them to pick up shipping..but ya get what ya pay for some times...

iv had TCI take me for $30...in the past..they make a good part..but still took me for shipping when it should have been free like in the add they had..

some times it's the small things that suck... i would give them a pass..ya got a 2nd one.. if it fails..get your money back.. till then..try it out.

Blue_Thunder

iTrader: (1)

I was sent another radiator that has a lot better welds then the 1st replacement radiator they sent me. Unfortunately the engine is currently semi dismantled so it won't be till springish till the replacement radiator is installed.

One failed, in 6 months with 3000 miles. I was upset but things happen, that I understand. And I even praised the fast return time on filling out a warranty form. Its when I received the replacement that had a crappy weld job right where my first radiator failed that I got angry.

TRANSAM82-92

iTrader: (1)

Mishimoto/english translation

Crappie radiator that will leak in no time and will keep sending you a new one because they cost us 10 cents US to manufacture and we pay the 10 yr old boy or girl 2 cents a day to weld 20 hrs a day....

formula1LE

iTrader: (3)

Just buy US (or try to anyway) before buying Chinese anything is my advise. Word of caution about Northern radiators (Summit generic brand supplier, maybe Jegs too)-they used to be USA/Canadian built....then went to Mexico....not thrilled but at least still on this continent. Then, my latest (and last) radiator from them were stamped on the box "Made in China" so no more business will they get from me. Summit repackages them so customers probably don't know. They're decent but have ugly aluminum tig welds-and I deal with awesome tig welders almost daily so I know quality when I see it.

DynoDave43

iTrader: (11)

Thanks for the update Blue_Thunder. I hope this one holds up better for you.

As to buying a USA made radiator...I'm 100% on board. I bend over backwards to find domestically produced products.

I have a local guy who makes them himself, from USA made cores. He's always at one of my favorite shows, and will probably be at our areas big winter swap meet tomorrow. The only advantage I thought there might be to buying from a bigger company was that they might have a pattern that would allow them to make a close to drop-in radiator for my T/A. If I see him tomorrow, I'll talk to him about it. I'm sure I'm not his first 3d gen F-body customer.

formula1LE

iTrader: (3)

Well when you can, PM me his contact info-Id like to get in touch with him as a radiator source if he has a good selection of options.

LegacyThirdGen

I may have seen you at metro cruise if you were there. I was looking to get a new radiator and dual fan setup, thanks for the warning.