1992 Nissan Safari Radiator problem

[toffer55]

Hi,

I have a 1992 Nissan Safari. About 2 years ago I suffered a problem in that the glow plug? dropped out of the head and met an irresistable force ( ie: piston ) coming up. Consequently this engine was U/S.

Garage obtained a second hand block with apparently 100,000 kms on the clock. Had to have the radiator flushed out for a warranty on the block, and found the radiator ( original @ 300,000kms ) was also U/S. Garage had local radiator people ( Palmerston North ) make/obtain a new aluminium radiator.

This radiator lasted around 12,000kms and developed leaks. Took vehicle back in, and was told that this new radiator was stuffed. It was repaired temporarily while they tried to resolve the reason it failed. Multiple engine flushes later, they obtained yet another new aluminium radiator, and this time with several earth straps attached plus some heavy duty anti-corrosion/anti-freeze added, got me back on the road again.

This radiator has lasted around 25,000km and again has developed leaks and is "stuffed" ( unquote).

The garage went back to the radiator "experts" who said that there is probably deep seated corrosion in the block which is almost impossible to clear out completely, and this is causing the apparent electrolytic reaction making the radiator fail. They say it will keep doing it. I felt that this explanation is BS.

I love my Safari, but not being mechanically inclined, have to accept advise from "experts", but this one is hard to accept.

Can you or any other Forum reader shed light on the problem and what we can do about it?

Cheers
Chris

[Sadam_Husain]

The garage went back to the radiator "experts" who said that there is probably deep seated corrosion in the block which is almost impossible to clear out completely, and this is causing the apparent electrolytic reaction making the radiator fail. They say it will keep doing it. I felt that this explanation is BS.

that dosent sound right to me mate its dis-simular metals that causes electrolysis? Whats the radiator doing is it going thin and porus or is it splitting open? Have you looked into the corosion inhibiter your using to see that its up to the job?

[TJ]

I am no expert on Nissans or radiators, but from what i read about radiators in my research it might be a case electrical current leakage somewhere in the system. Search on Google and you can get a simple way to test. Some radiator manufacturer won't warranty cover if electrical leakage is detected.

[toffer55]

Thanks Saddam and TJ.

Saddam: the side tanks appear to be getting thin, and developing holes. Not necessarily splitting as such. I know the garage tested for electrical leakage, hence the earth straps they put on it.

TJ: Not sure about the brand/type of inhibitor. Just the one the garage put in which is what they felt was the right one. They did experiment a bit as the first radiator had a different inhibitor that was green when it went in and very brown and rusty when it came out. The current inhibitor stayed green all the way.

[pressy]

Thanks Saddam and TJ.

Saddam: the side tanks appear to be getting thin, and developing holes. Not necessarily splitting as such. I know the garage tested for electrical leakage, hence the earth straps they put on it.

TJ: Not sure about the brand/type of inhibitor. Just the one the garage put in which is what they felt was the right one. They did experiment a bit as the first radiator had a different inhibitor that was green when it went in and very brown and rusty when it came out. The current inhibitor stayed green all the way.

Hi dude, what part of the country are you in, as I know some one who maybe able to look at it. Mine did that rust thing to. I got rid of that by flushing the engine/heater lines out with a garden hose forwards/backwards untill it came clear again ,took ages. all that rust may wear it out from the inside brushing past it all the time?

[toffer55]

Thanks Pressy,

I know they used some fairly powerful flushing agents/chemicals to clean out the block, before fitting the current radiator which has been running with inhibitors all the way.

All good suggestions so far, thanks team. Not being mechanically inclined I will need to discuss all this with the garage.

[toffer55]

Pressy, I am in the Manawatu

[tgaguy1]

Why are you running an Alum radiator. I have found aluminium rad in 4WD's a pain as the aluminium work hardens and cracks with all the vibrations and knocks etc our rigs are subject to. Nissan originally had steel radiators in the patrol/safari's which were enough to keep the TD cool. The better efficiency of the aluminium radiator should not be needed.

[toffer55]

tgaguy1,
Running an ali radiator because that is what the garage has obtained for me ( twice ). He is currently sourcing a copper/brass radiator as it seems impossible to get a good steel one like my original. Would this cooper/brass one be any better than the aluminium ones?

[orange]

whats wrog with running a normal safari one just recored? theres probly a reason why they ran them from new why change it?