Worst radiator company

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by snuffguy, Mar 28, 2011.

  1. snuffguy

    snuffguy Bobtail Member

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    Mar 28, 2011
    tampa, fl
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    Detroit radiator/ randall industries "drc" its nothing but china #### thats over priced. Nothing american about china parts being reboxed, held in a warehouse and sold by an operator
     
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  3. SHC

    SHC Spoiled Rotten Brat O/O

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    Feb 26, 2011
    Westville, IN
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    Have you been there? Because I have bought 3 radiators from them and picked them all up at their factory. They are not made overseas, and are great for their price. My trucks never got over 175* after installing them and got them for under $1,000 which was $1,500 less than OEM China crap. Sad to hear you had a problem with them, but I have had nothing but praise for them, along with everyother driver I know who has used them. I've seen them being made in person, and its a nice set-up....but I can only speak for Detroit Radiator in Michigan
     
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  4. mgfg

    mgfg Road Train Member

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    Mar 29, 2010
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    And that would have nothing to do with the thermostats right?
     
  5. SHC

    SHC Spoiled Rotten Brat O/O

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    Feb 26, 2011
    Westville, IN
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    That's correct. They all had end-caps rusting bad and the cores were plugged. The drc radiators are 4 row, not 3 row like OEM. I did not change thermostats and ever in S. Texas running in 115*+ temps they never got over 175* and the fan on my FLD only turned on when running thru the rockies.
     
  6. BigBadBill

    BigBadBill Bullishly Optimistic

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    Oct 2, 2010
    Chattanooga, TN
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    Haven't been to factory but bought one for my old Century and was very happy. Local repair guy saved me a bunch. Cost me an extra day of down time but worth it when saving $700 bucks.
     
  7. Krooser

    Krooser Road Train Member

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    Jul 25, 2010
    Wisconsin
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    After wasting my $$$ with 300,000 mile radiators from two different aftermarket outfits I bought a genuine Modine "Made in USA" radiator ... should last a million miles (the first one lasted 1,600,000)...
     
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  8. LBZ

    LBZ Road Train Member

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    1,266
    Oct 22, 2008
    Road to Nowhere
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    My radiator core was made in Detroit, but the frame has a made in Mexico tag right on the side of it.

    The power max cac had Made in China tag stamped on it. Condenser made in Thailand.

    All work well/fit perfectly & were purchased fall '10. But was disappointed after getting to full sales pitch of Made in America.
     
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  9. Krooser

    Krooser Road Train Member

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    Jul 25, 2010
    Wisconsin
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    You misunderstood... Detroit Radiator makes their MONEY in America....
     
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  10. SHC

    SHC Spoiled Rotten Brat O/O

    8,484
    7,047
    Feb 26, 2011
    Westville, IN
    0
    WOW, I did not know that. I bought my last radiator from them in 2008 at their Michigan factory. It was for a FLD/Classic...... maybe they don't make them anymore then??? That sucks ###
     
  11. DRtrucker2

    DRtrucker2 Bobtail Member

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    Jul 29, 2012
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    I am not impressed with the radiator I bought, warranty service, or customer service.


    I bought a radiator from DETROIT RADIATOR and I had problems as soon as I took it out of the crate.

    The radiator has bungs pre-installed in all 4 corners. I had to re-tap one of the unused holes so that I could put a plug in it, because the threads were fouled up. This had to be corrected before I could put it in the truck. I called them the next business day and told them about it. They said I could send it back for a replacement, thinking back, I probably should have. But, since I had already corrected that problem, I went ahead and installed it.

    I started having problems with it leaking within 3 months. When I contacted Detroit rad about the problem I was told that I had to buy another radiator and ship (at MY expense) the defective one back . They would then determine whether or not to refund the purchase of the second radiator. I argued with them about this on the phone a couple of times and gave up. I repaired the leak, which was a leaky tank seam, and moved on.

    I felt that I should not have to absorb the cost of replacing a defective product. I also didnt like the other option they gave me, which was to remove the defective radiator and ship it to them, wait for it to be tested, repaired or replaced. I didn't want to be down for the estimated 2 weeks.

    If this product is supposed to be superior to OEM (model FR44, all brass). Then why did it only last 3 months? The OEM radiator lasted 16 days short of 7 years. I know, I replaced that one right after I bought the truck.

    I thought that my troubles were over after that repair, and they were, until August of this year, two weeks after the 1 year anniversary of my purchase. It started leaking AGAIN. This time it was the core leaking, somewhere in the middle. I sent a couple of emails to the sales rep that I dealt with before. The only reply I got was a vacation message. I tried again after his vacation and did not even get a "screw you."

    It was at this point that I decided not to do business with DRC ever again.

    I realize that I could have CALLED instead of just emailing, but at this point I am fairly certain that I would have been ignored anyway.
     
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