Radiator repair

RalphWD45 · Nov 20, 2013

I took the radiator from my Oliver S 55, in to Tacoma to 112th st radiator repair yesterday, as it had a leak in it. I have used this shop, for 30 yrs, as needed, and have had good work. They called today and told me that my radiator had blown up when they were pressure testing it, and was caused by a previous repair shop, deleting the vent tube. They said that trying to recore it would cost as much, or more than buying a new radiator. When I asked how much that was, she told me $500.00, or more. I told her NO and that I would get back to them, when I digested the news. I always wanted a Oliver S 55, after my uncle bought one back in the 50's, but when has a guy spent enough on a rig, for nostalgia purposes? I had to buy a grill, or nose, a missing air cleaner, a under hood muffler a combo power steering pump-generator, and a $500. 12.4x28 tire, all for a $1000. tractor, that I still haven't got to use! THANKS for letting me blow off a little steam! Isn't it there fault that they blew it up? Should I ask that they take some responsibility?

Bob Bancroft · Nov 20, 2013

Good luck on that one. There used to be several choices for radiator repair here. Now the only "local" choice isn't all that local, and I've had enough trouble with them that I won't go back. Sounds like it's the same on the other end of the country!
These are always a labor of "love" you know. Might just as well move on and buy a radiator. The trouble is- where to buy it. I made the mistake of buying one on-line. When it turned out to be unsatisfactory, they wouldn't refund me, but would only replace it. With another radiator that wasn't right. Any more purchases like that will be from a local dealer, with the understanding that it will be returned if not right.

oleblu · Nov 20, 2013

BobB has it right, you will never win against your radiator shop. They hold all the cards.

Check out external_link.com and find a radiator. These are good guys and will treat you right. Ask for Mark or Victor if you call.

DeltaRed · Nov 20, 2013

Spend all that money on a tractor and then throw it away?Dumb.Spend the money and then you will have a good tractor to use for a long time....I've spent over $20,000 on my 1256 since 2000.But I cant replace it,the next one may have bigger problems.I am just going to keep and use it.

RalphWD45 · Nov 20, 2013

Yeah! oleblu, Bob may be right, but Delta Red is right also. I am just getting frustrated, at poor luck! I will check out your sorce, and shop, before commiting to anything.

Paul from MI · Nov 20, 2013

Hard to find anybody to do the stuff we used to take for granted. Automotive machine shops are getting scarce around here too. Cars don't need valve jobs at 50,000 miles. I had to take my JD D head and manifold 80 miles each way to find a good shop to re-surface them. Automobile radiators are throwaway items now, and there aren't many radiator shops. We used to have three here in our town, now the nearest one is 20 miles away. That said, I always caution the radiator shop to not use over 2-3 psi test pressure and haven't had any trouble. 50-60 year old radiators that run at zero pressure don't need to pass a 20 psi test.

MarkB_MI · Nov 20, 2013

It seems to me they have no good excuse for blowing up your radiator, but your chances of winning this argument are slim and none.

You can try asking them to split the cost of a recore. I assume 500 bucks is what they would normally charge, which means their materials cost is probably around 250; they might be willing to eat the labor and give you the core at cost under the circumstances.

Larry NEIL · Nov 20, 2013

They got some pretty good prices right here at YT on radiators. Check them out too.
I'm lookin for a good one for an Oliver 77 and may buy here.

RalphWD45 · Nov 20, 2013

Well that didn't take long! YT doesn't list rad for S55

showcrop · Nov 20, 2013

I think that they are just testing the waters. I bet that they are hoping that you will ask for a split because they know that their guy should have been watching a gauge, or maybe been thinking about what he was doing.

RalphWD45 · Nov 20, 2013

Larry Korvesoliver has it for the 550 for $350. plus shipping. I don't know if the 550 radiator has the notch in the top tank, like the S55, for the air cleaner,

David R Inman · Nov 20, 2013

Can't help you on the exact situation with your shop. On Allis WC-WD-WD45's our local shop generally finds our old ones to need recored or new, but I've found he wants about twice as much $$ as some online sources.
So, we support him when we can, but readily go on line too.

LeonardWD45 · Nov 20, 2013

Ralph, check with Performance Radiator in the Nally valley here in Tacoma. I had to replace one on my WD45 and they had it in stock.

Leonard

37chief · Nov 21, 2013

You should go and have a look. I can't believe a radiator blows up. It more than likely popped a seam, or a couple tubes, which can be repaired easy enough. My last radiator shop experience was, all they did was bead blast the tubes they could reach through the hose connection, and paint it black. They didn't even clean all the grit out. Found that as I was about to install it. I got my money back on that job. Stan

60 acre hillside · Nov 21, 2013

Typical pressure cap for a cooling system is 5-8 PSI. Test needs no more than 1 PSI. I operated a welding shop and one of the things we made was replacement fuel tanks. I told a new welder to pressure test one he had just built and he almost blew it up. He was used to testing tires for leaks and needed high pressure to test for leaks because rubber has to stretch. A steel tank does not need much pressure. My best welder did not pressure test as he knew his welds would not leak.

RCP · Nov 21, 2013

Does your 55 radiator bolt to the frame underneath the radiator, or does it bolt through the side into the nose cone? If it bolts through the bottom, there are no new replacements available.

BTDT

Rich

CGID · Nov 21, 2013

I agree with 37Chief. Unless they hooked your radiator up to an unregulated air-line, the split should have occured at the weakest spot and stopped there. Go have a look. If they can't fix it someone else should be able to.

Mike (WA) · Nov 21, 2013

You're right, not many radiator shops around anymore. Used to be several in Centralia- Chehalis area, but only one left- Dr. Zigs in Centralia- (36O) 7three6-57ll. And I don't know if he's still doing much radiator work- when I had him recore an IH 504 radiator a few years ago, he said there just wasn't much work left, what with radiators all being "throw-aways" now. So he is now doing metal salvage and scrapping.

BTW, the re-core was $650, so $500 for a S55 is probably not out of line, given the size difference. But I'd sure go take a look at it- I agree with the others, it should just be split somewhere, not completely destroyed, even if they did use too much pressure.

Anonymous-0 · Nov 21, 2013

On a radiator that old,if you are keeping tractor just fix it right and be done.It usually is so rotten that in a yr or so you will have it out to repair again.Then you will have twice the money in it and still have old radiator.

Dr. Walt · Nov 21, 2013

Ralphwd45:

First things first, you need to go down to the Radiator Shop and see for yourself exactly what damage has been done to your radiator and whether or not it can be repaired, BEFORE you purchase a new core or another radiator.

Mike M · Nov 22, 2013

Would you not also have to plug the vent to pressure test it ? What am I missing here ?
I think someone just put too much pressure in it !!!!

Hard for me to get a radiator repaired anymore. The same shop and same guys are still here that used to be able to fix anything. Their dad retired and one of the older guys too. I have just been doing them myself on the easy ones. Bad ones just get replaced.

I still remember taking one into these guys years ago and just told them to patch it up. This was in an old IH Scout that was only for running around the place. Guy moned and groaned but did it. He did one heck of a good job as that thing last many many years !! I still think it is funny how much fuss he gave me over this.

Radiator repair

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Member

Member

Well-known Member

Member

Well-known Member

Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Similar threads