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You think cars are bad, you should try boats. They often build the interior and put in the engine before the deck goes on. Just TRY to get some of those engines and tanks out of the boat for replacement. Unbelievable.
Pretty much every manufacturer has a model or two (or the majority of their offerings) where the bean counters have decreed in their "wisdom" that making a part in plastic is better than doing it properly in metal.
I think I've had to replace the radiator on every single Jeep I've ever owned, it's always the plastic end tanks. Or window regulator parts made out of plastic that eventually snap, or any number of things.
Not too many manufacturers are immune, Porsche's dumbest design flaw in recent memory was their plastic coolant pipes for the Cayenne. Mercedes 6.2 liter AMG engines were hand built and extremely expensive... so let's use substandard head bolts on them so the engines will blow up.
You think cars are bad, you should try boats. They often build the interior and put in the engine before the deck goes on. Just TRY to get some of those engines and tanks out of the boat for replacement. Unbelievable.
We had jet skis and boats. My last one was a Maxum 2400 with a 7.4 liter FI Mercruiser.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MckinneyOwnr
Pretty much every manufacturer has a model or two (or the majority of their offerings) where the bean counters have decreed in their "wisdom" that making a part in plastic is better than doing it properly in metal.
I think I've had to replace the radiator on every single Jeep I've ever owned, it's always the plastic end tanks. Or window regulator parts made out of plastic that eventually snap, or any number of things.
Not too many manufacturers are immune, Porsche's dumbest design flaw in recent memory was their plastic coolant pipes for the Cayenne. Mercedes 6.2 liter AMG engines were hand built and extremely expensive... so let's use substandard head bolts on them so the engines will blow up.
Yeah I'm actually gonna wuss out on this one and take it to the dealer. I'm working 12-14 hour days and I don't have the time. I actually just got home . It sucks because it's a relatively easy job that I've done plenty of times so it's not a hard job. Messy but hard? No. But between my regular work and consulting I'm getting pulled in 10 different directions.
Holy crap WHY are car designers so stupid. I gotta replace a whole radiator because a plastic nipple broke flush with the tank. And WHY IN GODS NAME can't these bastards make the tanks out of aluminum and not plastic. The radiator is only $100 bucks on eBay but Jesus jumping Christ all because of a 1/4 inch plastic fitting. Aaarrggghhhhh.
And I have thought about chasing a thread in the tank and installing a brass fitting but it's a DD and I'm working 40 miles away. So instead I get the joy of driving a manual 6 speed diesel to work in rush hour traffic for 5-6 days. That's great.
Ok I'm done ranting.
Well, when you replace it, can you modify it?
Never mind, I see you're letting the dealer do it.
Mom had a 1973 Ford LTD Wagon. The throttle wing was plastic. Yep it broke and so she could start, but when it came to moving it...Nope....dealer charged $35 for it...Mom bit her tongue....
Wasn't true in my case. Cheaper to replace the tank. $120 vs $45.
Point is, most people don't know those tanks are easily replaced.
Where do you find a place that'll sell you the part AND do the labor for basically free? Even CLEANING a radiator cost more than that these days. Even at $40/hour the labor is going to be more than what you paid, and most radiator shops charge much more than $40/hour. Plus YOU had to take it out and put it back in, 'cause they aren't doing all that labor for $45 and also sell you the part.
Update. Dealer called yesterday said its gonna take another week to get radiator in. Went and got my car. Stopped at a Ace hardware picked up a 1/8 npt barbed fitting. Drilled and tapped the radiator tank, installed fitting with plumber thread tape wrap and been driving the car around. Total cost 2.50 for the barbed fitting. Ordered a radiator online Saturday. Will be here Wenedsday. I have three day weekend. Job should take 2 hrs max
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