View Full Version : Mishimoto rad neck leak common?
chingon
07-02-2016, 10:16 PM
I've got a 240sx w/an overheating issue and what appears to be some seeping around the radiator neck (could be cap I suppose). I noticed that these neck seem to be press fit/brazed on and not welded.
Anyone have similar issues w/these rads or their China equivalents?
kruked
07-02-2016, 10:55 PM
Could be you overflow hose if there isn't a good seal on it.
Other than that, just trolling. I don't have a Mishi. I am using a Koyo.
brndck
07-02-2016, 11:00 PM
One of my friends had the same issue with mishimoto. His water neck nipple to the overflow tank broke off. It's not attached properly like it was just threaded into the neck and it's poor quality. Mishimoto warranties it for him though.
I have the exact same issue with my Mishimoto Radiator for my S13.
Unfortunatly my car is a DD and I dont have the down time to wait for a replacement. I did remove that tiny barb fitting and seal it with some teflon tape. Seems to leak less but I the problem is still there. Who ever drilled and tapped the neck, did an awful job and it leaks like a river.
The radiator also doesnt keep the coolant cold because the neck was drilled such way that the radiator cap cannot seal it so no pressure ever is built in the cooling system.
What's funny is that someone said that Mishimoto sucks, and had it been a year earlier, and I would have disagreed. Seeing a $300 dollar radiator with that quality of work really made me not want to get anything else from Mishimoto and I recommend you do the same.
chingon
07-03-2016, 12:10 AM
Didn't think to check the overflow barb. I'm talking more about the neck going into the tank.
I heard koyo had issues w/their hose pipes being overly thin and crushing over time as well. I've had a cx racing in the past w/no issues. And koyo brass OEM that was a solid unit.
red240
07-03-2016, 05:20 AM
My koyo did that, was very thin around the neck , I bougth a billet neck and had it welded on, never leaked again lol
chingon
07-03-2016, 01:57 PM
turns out the pooling was from the cap. I bent the holding tabs so it's tighter now and that fixed the leaking. I've still got vapor coming off the bottom of the rad now. I thought it was just spillover but I may have a pin hole/bad solder on one or multiple tubes.
Now whether it's worth the fix at a rad shop or cut my losses.
Whats the usual rate to fix a rad tube leak?
kruked
07-03-2016, 02:30 PM
Glad that the cap was the main issue. I'd recommend before going to a shop, pull the radiator and wash the outside down w/ soap and water and a soft bristle brush. It's a possibility that the steam is residue from the coolant. When you're done doing that, plug the inlet and outlet, let the radiator dry off pretty good and fill the radiator up w/ water. If there are any pin holes, the water will drip out. You can buy a pressure tester from Harbour Freight for a few bucks. It'll do you justice for determining if there's a pin hole or not w/ water in the system.
chingon
07-03-2016, 03:49 PM
Glad that the cap was the main issue. I'd recommend before going to a shop, pull the radiator and wash the outside down w/ soap and water and a soft bristle brush. It's a possibility that the steam is residue from the coolant. When you're done doing that, plug the inlet and outlet, let the radiator dry off pretty good and fill the radiator up w/ water. If there are any pin holes, the water will drip out. You can buy a pressure tester from Harbour Freight for a few bucks. It'll do you justice for determining if there's a pin hole or not w/ water in the system.
yeah, I'll probably go to autozone and borrow their pressure tester before I do anything hasty. Hope I don't pop a leak under the dash or something
kruked
07-03-2016, 03:52 PM
You won't pop a leak under the dash if you pull the radiator and pressure test just it.
chingon
07-03-2016, 05:33 PM
You won't pop a leak under the dash if you pull the radiator and pressure test just it.
Didn't want to have to drain system and find plugs....i guess off to lowes to find some 1-1/4'' nipples and caps....or maybe just not go crazy w/the pumping
corby_baby
07-03-2016, 06:17 PM
Glad I wasn't the only one with this same issue. Just pitch it in the trash and get a Koyo, you won't regret it!
jedi03
07-03-2016, 06:44 PM
I have used all three of the mentioned...just throw some bars stop leak in and call it good! one was rabbit put hole in it(hit at 75mph), one was me overtightening the drain, snapped off and leaked, current one holding with no issues! but bar s in there, just be careful I have heard it can clog heater core...
chingon
07-06-2016, 03:17 PM
well, just moved the car into the garage this afternoon and the radiator was pressurized cold. Fuk...
anyone know the ball park to do an ls1 HG job?
brndck
07-06-2016, 06:21 PM
Didn't want to have to drain system and find plugs....i guess off to lowes to find some 1-1/4'' nipples and caps....or maybe just not go crazy w/the pumping
You only need 18-20psi. Stock cap is like 13.
chingon
07-06-2016, 07:22 PM
cant even do that because mishimoto uses another type of neck not 240sx (import pressure adapter too loose)
chingon
07-08-2016, 03:56 PM
ok; just did an exhaust in coolant test and seems like HG is doing a-ok. I'll just get another rad and fan setup.
anti tyler
07-10-2016, 01:45 AM
You sure you don't want to just have the neck touched up instead of getting a whole new setup?
supersayianjim
07-10-2016, 08:03 AM
I brought a cx racing radiator for my rb and my 1jz.
the rb lasted 2 years and the overflow barb broke off so I scrapped that radiator and I'm waiting to get a replacement.
on the sc/1jz my neck was leaking so I got crafty and had my buddy weld the neck to the rest of the rad.
before
http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t493/supersayianjim2/project%20scorer%202/leaky%20neck_zpspwqo4h7q.jpg
after
http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t493/supersayianjim2/project%20scorer%202/fixed%20neck_zpsnkgwoqp7.jpg
chingon
07-10-2016, 08:05 PM
You sure you don't want to just have the neck touched up instead of getting a whole new setup?
Turned out the leak at the neck was the pressure cap (i adjusted the pressure tabs and that stopped the leak). However I have leak a the bottom end tank where the tubes are brazed/welded. I don't have much confidence a shop can fix that type of leak (maybe reflux/flow solder?).
In any case, 100 bux later I ordered an ebay/mishimoto/cx racing clone shipped to my door...guessing rad shop would charge 30$ to even attempt a fix. I'll run a 16 psi cap instead of the 19 psi cap on the previous mishimoto just for safety.
My biggest fear was leaky HG pressurizing the system and causing all these leaks (I thought I had pressure when cold), but a HG test kit showed no reaction from exhaust gases. I did finally manage to get the pressure tester on there and it climbed to ~14 psi and dropped to as low as 5 psi when thermostat opened and fan came on. Does 5 psi sound normal at idle for coolant pressure (seems kind of low)?
chingon
07-10-2016, 08:07 PM
I brought a cx racing radiator for my rb and my 1jz.
the rb lasted 2 years and the overflow barb broke off so I scrapped that radiator and I'm waiting to get a replacement.
on the sc/1jz my neck was leaking so I got crafty and had my buddy weld the neck to the rest of the rad.
before
http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t493/supersayianjim2/project%20scorer%202/leaky%20neck_zpspwqo4h7q.jpg
after
http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t493/supersayianjim2/project%20scorer%202/fixed%20neck_zpsnkgwoqp7.jpg
I feared that was the problem w/mine...turned out to be the mishimoto cap
anti tyler
07-10-2016, 09:15 PM
Read up on this, it's very informative.
http://zilvia.net/f/showthread.php?t=132967
Stock pressure cap is generally 7 psi, so figure you're running at 5psi you're safely under the threshold for opening the cap.
Now he's using pictures for an RB so I think it's as close as it gets to your situation.
Rb26kouki
07-14-2016, 09:08 PM
Same thing with my mishimoto
-_-
chingon
07-15-2016, 10:53 PM
china clone came in, identical to the mishi but it seems like they counter measured the pressed/soldered neck by welding it now. Will update as the other stuff arrives.
mishimoto
07-21-2016, 02:53 PM
Hello Everyone,
Thank you for the post.
I would like to apologize if you are having any issues with our products. That being said we do have a great warranty and the process is painless. We can actually send you a radiator without you having to remove your factory one.
For any additional questions please feel free to contact us directly at
[email protected]
kruked
07-21-2016, 03:21 PM
Of course the radiator would have to have been purchased from a dealer and there would need to be proof of purchase.
Most things around here are at least second hand, so I'm assuming that Mishimoto won't warranty something that was purchased second hand? W/o a receipt?
Rb26kouki
07-21-2016, 05:13 PM
Of course the radiator would have to have been purchased from a dealer and there would need to be proof of purchase.
Most things around here are at least second hand, so I'm assuming that Mishimoto won't warranty something that was purchased second hand? W/o a receipt?
I got mine brand new second hand, dude was suppose to forward me receipt for warranty he never got around it nor I ever thought I was have such issue now seems like I'm out of luck smh
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