While my WRX was still covered under a full factory warranty and unmodified I took it to two different Georgia dealerships a total of four times over the period of 15K for some sort of SMALL coolant leak that was spraying antifreeze on my engine. All four times I was blown off and sent on my way. Three visual inspections and one pressure test- nothing was done other than a too common "this/that clamp was leaking- we tightened it up for you." I gave up and decided to just top it off every 2 weeks. NOW- 60K on car, no warranty coverage, SAME leak since <32K... Saturday I was at a dealership getting pads (great price on Hawks BTW!), plugs, gaskets, and a PCV and thought to myself, what the heck- may as well ask again while I'm here. It was pressure tested again and finally admitted to being a radiator leak (DUH!!!). The repair is about $950ish; however, looking at my file and seeing my previous complaints they realized I had just gotten SCREWED. In a quasi admission of fault, they offered to do the work for 1/2 price. That's upstanding of them considering SOA won't offer them any funding on this, but I'm still out $475. Spending a dime of my money to fix this is unfair to me in my opinion. I don't want to make a huge deal about it and harm the relationship between myself (and possibly all of us) and this mystery dealership, but I really feel left out in the cold. What do you guys think? Anybody have a good used radiator sitting around?
All across the top seam of the radiator. Where the aluminum teeth are clamped down onto the plastic... Pop your hood and you'll see exactly what I'm talking about.
What up, it was good meeting you Saturday at the dealership. When I was checking out 2 of the techs were talking about it and what had happened to you and they gave you the radiator at their cost plus labor. I think they said the radiator was $325 at their price they said. I know that is still more then you wanted to pay, but I will have to give then credit for atleast trying to help you out cuz you were looking to pay $950ish. BTW, did that UP stud fit? I got mine put in. Had to lock two nuts together to get it in. It is a tight fit. Andy
i wonder if it would be worth calling a lawyer... they all have records of your complaint. this sounds like warranty avoidance because they don't make any money off warr work. or yeah, you could just find a take-off and diy... radiators aren't hard (well, at least for NA engines).
Good to meet you too! I know they're really trying to help out and I admire that. I like these guys and understand their position. Its just a crappy situation. They certainly didn't do this on purpose, it's just that neither of the dealers found the problem (even with me pointing it out to them several times) until it was too late. Yes, I got everything on later that day! Vf39, pinks, Walbro, PCV, all exhaust gaskets, plugs, reinstalled all the up pipe and turbo studs, F&R Hawk pads... it was a loooong day. Maybe the best solution is to find a better/bigger radiator somewhere. Use this as an excuse to upgrade. STi radiators fit, right? Anyone have one they could part with? Monk- lets not get carried away. Just a error and someone has to get the shit end of the stick. I'm not at all trying to make a big stink about it. I just don't feel the love anymore. :wtc:
If none of the first dealerships that you went to were SOG, meaning they never blew you off, take the results from SOG to them and demand compensation like monk said. I totally understand the it was a bad situation with you getting dicked around. But hey, maybe you can find a used one.
Apparently this is fairly common with our plastic topped radiators. U can get a nice koyo for like 400 shipped brand new and get some upgraded hoses for around 50 to 100
Call SoA and file a complaint. They have the power to get the radiator for free. Also, check for people that have upgraded to the performance radiators. My OEM one cracked just like yours did at 36k miles after a "mystery dealership" overfilled my overflow bottle, enough to almost top off an empty wine bottle. I got a used radiator for a case of beer and I swapped it out myself. It was easy. $30 total.
I've seen a couple of these blow up on other cars. If I ever get a good enough setup to need serious cooling I'm going to ditch the stock one in a heartbeat and go with an all aluminum Koyo.
How's the fitment on the Koyo's? Is the STI radiator giving people similar problems too?..sorry I don't have an sti or really looked at the radiator of one...
if i'm not mistaken the radiators in the STis should be pretty much the same if not exactly the same as the WRX radiators. you'd probly pay close to, if not more than a KOYO for one and they are at the very least designed the same way, with the plastic tops ('04-'05's). so you would be prone to the same problem.
Looks like I'm in the market for a Koyo. That's probably the best solution. Upgrades are fun, no hard feelings at all with the dealer, a little bling for my ride... Hind sight, I should have been more persistent while it was still covered. Just bug the crap out of them until it's fixed.
Fitment was excellent. The only thing you have to do is trim one corner of the fan shroud to make everything fit. I just used my dremel tool and it took no time at all. It is quite a bit thicker than the stock one, so the hoses are a tighter fit. I upgraded to samco hoses at the same time, and the bottom one was a pain to get on. Looking back I would have cut the lower hose down a little bit so it wasn't as tight a fit.
Koyo is on order. $388 Shipped. Problem solved. From all my research on this, this seems to be a BIG problem for Subaru. I'd recommend everyone go out to their car and check for this leak. If it's under warranty get another OEM one to put back on if you ever choose to part out the car. Then, get a Koyo off ebay so the new free OEM unit stays new. Thanks for everyone that stepped in and offered help/support. It really makes a difference.