Swedish Car Parts Heater core Done.

Post by **rspi** » 05 Sep 2016, 20:13

EBay core here, installed 12/14 I believe. From what I can tell, about 58,000 miles ago. Still rolling.

Post by **cn90** » 05 Sep 2016, 20:49

Ben,

Is your reservoir CAP in good shape?
I wonder if the CAP fails, then pressure builds up, and something has to give.
Just a theory.

Post by **mecheng** » 06 Sep 2016, 07:38

+1 for the Spectra as well, bought from my local parts guy. Zero smell, looked well built.
I know Spectra is well known for making affordable aftermarket radiators, I had one in my Honda and it worked well.

What would concern me is how catastrophic that failure is, it is not like the OEM where it slowly starts to leak. I've never had any radiator fail like that.

It points to either quality problem with the material, or thickness of the plastic OR worst yet, the design selection of the material and wall thickness.

@CN90 if his cap failed, it would reduce the pressure in the system. The cap is designed to vent when the pressure exceeds a certain amount but old caps get leaky at all running scenarios.

@BEN850: make sure you send the failed part back, that is the only way the supplier can do an investigation.

Post by **Ben850** » 06 Sep 2016, 09:52

I went to their ebay site and the have a notation that they are now using a Black polymer for the tanks, claiming better rigidity.
If I find my receipt I will send it back.
They must have realized the issue.

Post by **cn90** » 06 Sep 2016, 10:03

mecheng wrote:...@CN90 if his cap failed, it would reduce the pressure in the system. The cap is designed to vent when the pressure exceeds a certain amount but old caps get leaky at all running scenarios.

A cap can fail in 2 ways:

1. The pressure relief valve is leaky, so the system is not pressurized at all.

2. The pressure relief valve fails "shut", no air is allowed to escape. In that situation, the system pressure is very high after a run.
Sometimes, in certain cars, the radiator hoses look like a snake that just eats a prey.

I was trying to get to #2 for Ben, if pressure is too high, things break at the weakest point.

Post by **Ben850** » 06 Sep 2016, 10:58

It would be sad if the weakest point was a two year old Heater core.
Although I had replaced all the other hoses in the system.
But still...

Post by **cn90** » 06 Sep 2016, 11:41

And the cap is OK?

Post by **polskamafia mjl** » 06 Sep 2016, 11:45

mecheng wrote:
It points to either quality problem with the material, or thickness of the plastic OR worst yet, the design selection of the material and wall thickness.

OR this is an outlier and doesn't indicate anything about the quality of material or the design.

Post by **Ben850** » 06 Sep 2016, 12:35

As I had mentioned, they have changed the material for a quality reason as stated in their ebay ad, likely for a reason. They say it is black now.

I plan on replacing the cap as well either way.

Post by **cn90** » 07 Sep 2016, 07:48

Ben,

If and whenever you replace the cap, could you test it and post a follow-up?
The cap should release air at 15 psi or so (I need to verify this).
If not, then I wonder at what psi it will release air...
Inquiring mind wants to know...

Swedish Car Parts Heater core Done.

Re: Swedish Car Parts Heater core Done.