Radiator Leaking with 19k Miles???? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

BossRS4 · 09-26-2017, 06:28 PM

Coolant on the floor of my garage so I got it towed to the dealership. They said the radiator is gushing out coolant and needs to be replaced.

I am out of my bumper to bumper warranty, (2013 w/ 19.2k miles) and this is not covered under my powertrain warranty. GM actually views this as a wear and tear item.

Anyone else have any issues? Or any other ideas? Repair bill is going to be around $850 with parts and labor.

I called GM and they cannot do anything, going to call them again tomorrow and try to get them to at least cover the parts.

I cannot believe this.

Juiced1 · 09-26-2017, 06:31 PM

I wouldn't think they would cover it under the power train warranty. $850 seems steep but the dealership isn't going to be the cheapest option out there. 19k miles seems very premature for a radiator to go but all it takes is a good impact from something to start a leak.

DrkPhx · 09-26-2017, 06:45 PM

Radiator replacement is pretty easy on this car. I would just do it yourself to save on the labor.

Crash76 · 09-26-2017, 06:54 PM

For 850 you can get a ron davis radiator

BossRS4 · 09-26-2017, 08:46 PM

I am just going to have them do it, want it done right.

No one finds it odd the car needs a new radiator at 19k miles??

BossRS4 · 09-26-2017, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Juiced1

I wouldn't think they would cover it under the power train warranty. $850 seems steep but the dealership isn't going to be the cheapest option out there. 19k miles seems very premature for a radiator to go but all it takes is a good impact from something to start a leak.

My service adviser said there was no sign of damage to the radiator, but they are saving it for me so I can have a look.

N2O · 09-28-2017, 02:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crash76

For 850 you can get a ron davis radiator

ron davis radiator is for $12xx on their website. Where are you getting it for $850?

JB'sZL1 · 09-28-2017, 05:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BossRS4

No one finds it odd the car needs a new radiator at 19k miles??

I think it's a short life, but it's like a belt or hose. They can wear or fail prematurely.

fhrex · 09-28-2017, 05:42 AM

it is extremely odd that it should fail at this low mileage and age. if there is evidence of impact, some car insurance policies may cover the repair

Reichler · 09-28-2017, 07:55 AM

Not odd at all. It may be an early failure, but things like this can and will happen all the time.

$850? Buy a Mishimoto for hundreds less and do it yourself. If you "want it done right", then I don't think a dealership is the correct place to have it done. Also, a radiator is extremely easy to change in these cars.

Reichler · 09-28-2017, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fhrex

it is extremely odd that it should fail at this low mileage and age. if there is evidence of impact, some car insurance policies may cover the repair

Even if there was evidence of an impact where insurance would cover it, you still need to pay your deductible first. Not worth it when you can get an all aluminum radiator for a tad over $500 from Mishimoto.

lbls1 · 09-28-2017, 08:04 AM

Sometimes parts will have very short lives. Its a quality fluke, and it is annoying that sometimes it may even fall out of warranty, but it happens. I had an ac condenser go bad in my truck with only a scant 7,700 miles on it. Of course it had to happen in the truck's 9th year so this repair will be out of pocket. Sucks but its part of an ownership experience.

silversleeper · 09-28-2017, 10:57 AM

https://www.gmpartsdirect.com/auto-p...omponents-scat
Under $200 and "If you want something done right, do it yourself".
There are many good mechanics but lots of the guys I see working don't have skills so its a gamble. They didn't even put my air cleaner back together the last two oil changes, one at a chain place, the other at the Chev dealer. You know how they take the filter out and demand you install a new one everytime you go ask for oil change only.
If you already towed it there and are not used to working on cars I understand having them fix it for you but this is an example of a job that's not too hard and save a lot of money.
I see you could buy two OEM hoses also while you have it all apart for $35, that's part of the do it right theme.
The all aluminum radiator should not be as fragile but they do cost more. $500 would be a bargain on a quality one. https://www.mishimoto.com/chevy-cama...2012-2015.html lists at $765 , don't know what site discounts them.
The road salts are very corrosive on aluminum, so it's possible that was a factor but I would lean towards the "took a whack" or "random poor quality bonding" as mentioned above. Age and heat will split the plastic ends, I've had that happen on an older camaro.

ZMEnow · 09-28-2017, 11:36 AM

Its not normal... I am betting GR you have only seen a couple of 90 degrees days this year and that was last week so there hasn't been a lot of pressure on that radiator probably ever is my guess in Michigan. If there is no sign of an impact, then its got to be a weld failure. I would stop at Berger Chevy and talk with Rusty in Parts and he will work with you on the cost, but first reference his cost on GMPARTSNOW before you go in ask for some consideration.

09-26-2017, 06:28 PM	#1
BossRS4 Drives: 2013 Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Posts: 228	Radiator Leaking with 19k Miles???? Coolant on the floor of my garage so I got it towed to the dealership. They said the radiator is gushing out coolant and needs to be replaced. I am out of my bumper to bumper warranty, (2013 w/ 19.2k miles) and this is not covered under my powertrain warranty. GM actually views this as a wear and tear item. Anyone else have any issues? Or any other ideas? Repair bill is going to be around $850 with parts and labor. I called GM and they cannot do anything, going to call them again tomorrow and try to get them to at least cover the parts. I cannot believe this. __________________ 2013 Yellow Camaro ZL1 Purchased: (9/24/16) 5% Tint All Around 45% Tint on Windshield Roto-Fab Cold Air Intake Oracle Afterburner Tail Lights Oracle LED Sidemarkers RDP Tune TSP Long Tube Headers Forza Componenti 3-Way Exhaust Controller ZL1 Addons Wicker Bill

09-26-2017, 08:46 PM	#5
BossRS4 Drives: 2013 Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Posts: 228	I am just going to have them do it, want it done right. No one finds it odd the car needs a new radiator at 19k miles?? __________________ 2013 Yellow Camaro ZL1 Purchased: (9/24/16) 5% Tint All Around 45% Tint on Windshield Roto-Fab Cold Air Intake Oracle Afterburner Tail Lights Oracle LED Sidemarkers RDP Tune TSP Long Tube Headers Forza Componenti 3-Way Exhaust Controller ZL1 Addons Wicker Bill

09-28-2017, 05:42 AM	#9
fhrex Drives: 2011 Camaro 2LT/RS Join Date: May 2015 Location: Farmville, Virginia Posts: 1,024 View My Garage	it is extremely odd that it should fail at this low mileage and age. if there is evidence of impact, some car insurance policies may cover the repair __________________

09-28-2017, 08:04 AM	#12
lbls1 Drives: 2002 Camaro SS SOM; 2015 Malibu LTZ Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Queens, NY Posts: 4,038	Sometimes parts will have very short lives. Its a quality fluke, and it is annoying that sometimes it may even fall out of warranty, but it happens. I had an ac condenser go bad in my truck with only a scant 7,700 miles on it. Of course it had to happen in the truck's 9th year so this repair will be out of pocket. Sucks but its part of an ownership experience. __________________ '02 CAMARO SS SOM; 5.7L LS1/FLS6B '08 TBSS AWD Black Granite Metallic '15 Malibu LTZ 2LZ Turbo *'14 CAMARO ZL1 Blue Ray Metallic*

09-26-2017, 06:31 PM	#2
Juiced1 Account Suspended Drives: 2012 2SS CAMARO 45th Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: St. Charles, IL Posts: 18,663	I wouldn't think they would cover it under the power train warranty. $850 seems steep but the dealership isn't going to be the cheapest option out there. 19k miles seems very premature for a radiator to go but all it takes is a good impact from something to start a leak.

09-26-2017, 06:45 PM	#3
DrkPhx Drives: 2013 Triple Black ZL1 / 2006 TB SS Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: MN Posts: 2,250	Radiator replacement is pretty easy on this car. I would just do it yourself to save on the labor.

09-26-2017, 06:54 PM	#4
Crash76 Team 913 Drives: '14 ZL1, '15 Jeep GC, ‘22 Ram 2500 Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: USA, Central CA Posts: 1,119	For 850 you can get a ron davis radiator

09-28-2017, 07:55 AM	#10
Reichler Drives: 2004 GTO & 2005 GTO Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Lancaster, PA Posts: 303	Not odd at all. It may be an early failure, but things like this can and will happen all the time. $850? Buy a Mishimoto for hundreds less and do it yourself. If you "want it done right", then I don't think a dealership is the correct place to have it done. Also, a radiator is extremely easy to change in these cars.

09-28-2017, 10:57 AM	#13
silversleeper Big Crow Drives: '13 ZL1 Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: California Posts: 1,493	https://www.gmpartsdirect.com/auto-p...omponents-scat Under $200 and "If you want something done right, do it yourself". There are many good mechanics but lots of the guys I see working don't have skills so its a gamble. They didn't even put my air cleaner back together the last two oil changes, one at a chain place, the other at the Chev dealer. You know how they take the filter out and demand you install a new one everytime you go ask for oil change only. If you already towed it there and are not used to working on cars I understand having them fix it for you but this is an example of a job that's not too hard and save a lot of money. I see you could buy two OEM hoses also while you have it all apart for $35, that's part of the do it right theme. The all aluminum radiator should not be as fragile but they do cost more. $500 would be a bargain on a quality one. https://www.mishimoto.com/chevy-cama...2012-2015.html lists at $765 , don't know what site discounts them. The road salts are very corrosive on aluminum, so it's possible that was a factor but I would lean towards the "took a whack" or "random poor quality bonding" as mentioned above. Age and heat will split the plastic ends, I've had that happen on an older camaro.

09-28-2017, 11:36 AM	#14
ZMEnow Drives: ZL1, 2013, tri-coat-red, manual Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,607	Its not normal... I am betting GR you have only seen a couple of 90 degrees days this year and that was last week so there hasn't been a lot of pressure on that radiator probably ever is my guess in Michigan. If there is no sign of an impact, then its got to be a weld failure. I would stop at Berger Chevy and talk with Rusty in Parts and he will work with you on the cost, but first reference his cost on GMPARTSNOW before you go in ask for some consideration.