07 Sport Radiator (CarQuest?)

[Duster]

It just keeps coming. Now the radiator is leaking somewhere.

I already picked up a radiator from Advanced. It's a Car Quest one but I saw China on it.... So I was like I dunno, might should have had someone take me to the Jeep dealer. But bet they wouldn't have one on hand anyways. So I stopped by my radiator guy and asked him about it.

He said it's not cracked by the upper driver side mount like others he has seen. I asked and he said almost everything is made in China anymore. Put it on, bring back the old one for a patch repair as it seems to be leaking in the middle.

Anyways, anyone replaced with a CarQuest radiator?

Trying to decide if I should even put it in. My trouble is I really dont have time to fool around and wait on a repair patch or a Mopar radiator to come. I mean it is not leaking bad yet but its a steady drip and I fear that will pop into a gusher. Its driven daily and I'm loosing money when it is sitting still. But I hate to install $160 radiator and have it not last, etc...

 

[meoget]

The general consensus around here, is that you should replace the radiator with genuine Mopar replacement parts.
I was in a situation where I didn't have time to wait, so I put a $90 Vision radiator in my 05, and it has been fine for 16 months.
That's just my experience, but it seems that aftermarket radiators are a problem. If I could have had a Mopar radiator when I needed it, I would have done so.

 

[HoosierJeeper]

x2 on Mopar is the best

Although I've had a Spectrum one for 3 years, 50k miles and knock on wood it's been ok. The guy that installed it said that he's never had any issues with them.

In a pinch, I'd take a non leaker over a leaker.

 

[CalcityRenegade]

Had a Spectra rad for under a year and it started leaking. Replaced with a Mopar rad and never had an issue.

 

[tommudd]

One of my KJ friends bought NAPA ( Chinese brand) , 11 replacements in 2 years finally gave up got Mopar and no more issues

 

[Duster]

Uggg.... sounds worse than the Ranger heater core situation I went through after the OEM one started leaking. I would have to put replace in the spring after I stopped using heat, and in the fall when I started using heat. Finally found a good one at NAPA not made in China. No problems since.

I do believe I will eat this one and install it to stay rolling. Then take my old one over to the radiator shop for repair since it's not cracked by the mount. Then I will have it to put back later.

 

[GunnerSchenck]

Had a Napa unit I put in that started to leak just after about a year... but it mightve been the tree I ran it into :happy175:

But on a forreal note I'd just go with the Mopar one the first time if I could do it over.

 

[GunnerSchenck]

Uggg.... sounds worse than the Ranger heater core situation I went through after the OEM one started leaking. I would have to put replace in the spring after I stopped using heat, and in the fall when I started using heat. Finally found a good one at NAPA not made in China. No problems since.

I do believe I will eat this one and install it to stay rolling. Then take my old one over to the radiator shop for repair since it's not cracked by the mount. Then I will have it to put back later.

If you get the old one fixed, id swap them out right after.
A reason a lot of the cheaper ones end up leaking is in design flaws for the cooling tubes and fins..
Then you'd have the cheapy for a backup instead of a Mopar backup.....

 

[renegade 04]

The best would be to ditch the plastic tanks, when I get the money I will be buying an all aluminum radiator.