Fenix alloy radiators

[Pacemaker]

Hi guys

I know similar questions have been flogged to death but has anyone fitted a full alloy radiator with a tdi engine? I read plenty of posts with members stating they were going to get one. So im wondering if they are holding up and keeping the engine cool enough?
Im going to replace mine as preventative maintenance and cant justify spending $600-$800 if i only need to spend $300.

Any feed back will be appreciated.

Regards
Michael.

[Debacle]

I recently put one in my 3.9 v8 and it's going good so far. Only problem was the positioning of the bottom hose which didn't stick out as far as the original and meant the hose would rub on the fan cowling.

I was getting a fan switch sensor fitted to it anyway so got it modded while it was there.

The bloke who did the mods makes custom alloy radiators and he reckoned that the workmanship and materials used were pretty good especially compared to some of the other cheap alloy radiators that they find are impossible to work on due to the thin alloy used.

[PAT303]

Why can't you re-core the original?,if you want more cooling Aussie desert coolers,PWR,natrad etc do two pass and three pass cores. Pat

[Pacemaker]

A quick follow up for future reference.
I ordered the Fenix full alloy radiator from Fenix in Sydney. I paid with my card over the phone and it arrived to my door on the gold coast before 10 am the next morning. I couldnt believe it.
It was professionally boxed with polystyrene foam cut to size to match the radiator.
The radiator looks like great quality. The welds dont look like pigeon s#@t and the tanks are polished very shiny.
All locators and hose fittings are exactly where the should be and my car runs 6 degrees cooler on the highway and when climbing long hills its about 10 degrees cooler at the top.
I am very happy with the product and wouldnt hesitate to use them again.
Cheers
Michael.

[discovery39]

Hi Pacemaker, for the record, I'm running one of those radiators in the Rangie (3.5). Its awesome. Just remember to earth it.......
As you say, professionally packaged, and well constructed.
Very good radiator!

[Jeff]

I was just about to order an Allisport radiator for my Defender, but now I am not so sure having read this. Especially if they are cheaper and arrive sooner.

Jeff

:rocket:

[Pacemaker]

Jeff

I too was considering Allisport but at $300 delivered im very happy I took the gamble.

Michael.

[Patchy]

I have one fitted to a highly modded turboed ED Ford falcon that I use as a toy with track meets and weekend thrashing have never had a problem with it and runs nice and cool on the race track... wouldnt hesitate buying one for my defender once it needs a new radiator..

Only thing I would recommend is earthing the radiator just reduces the chance of it becoming an anode also they have dealers in most capital cities so delivery is usually same day or next..

[micksta1973]

I just had a look at their site. Not too sure if the 2.5TD rad had the built in oil cooler as per standard rad. Anyone confirm this?

mick.

[jboot51]

Doesn't look like they do one for a 300 TDI

[jboot51]

Their EBAY page has them for a 300 tdi


Landrover Discovery Series 1 Diesel 91 98 Fenix Radiator | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Landrover-Discovery-Series-1-Diesel-91-98-Fenix-Radiator-/171224373255?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item27ddc49807)

[Pacemaker]

Yes mine is a 300tdi. The oil cooler was built into the one I bought.
Fenix supplied allow fittings to screw into the radiator and attach my pipes to.
Cheers
Michael.

[Jeff]

Mine arrived today. Well packaged and with a free hat and t shirt.


http://i1336.photobucket.com/albums/o646/Jeff_8/Land%20Rover/WP_20141014_002_zps84d525ad.jpg (http://s1336.photobucket.com/user/Jeff_8/media/Land%20Rover/WP_20141014_002_zps84d525ad.jpg.html)

Jeff

:rocket:

[harro]

In the process of replacing the radiator in my 02 Defender.
It still has the original so I thought it was about time.

looking at either a Nissen one or maybe the Fenix.
So I have resurrected this old thread in the hope someone has had a Fenix rad in their vehicle for a few years and could give some feedback (hopefully positive).

Cheers,
Paul

[gavinwibrow]

In the process of replacing the radiator in my 02 Defender.
It still has the original so I thought it was about time.

looking at either a Nissin one or maybe the Fenix.
So I have resurrected this old thread in the hope someone has had a Fenix rad in their vehicle for a few years and could give some feedback (hopefully positive).

Cheers,
Paul

Me too. Similar situation for an 04 D2, but looking for heavy duty, which it appears Fenix don't do for my model. Haven't heard much about this Indian Nissin before - any comments likewise?

[Classic88]

Hello all. I am new here, having just bought a 1988 Classic. Unfortunately I had a fan blade go through the radiator last weekend. Have replaced it with a Fenix thanks to the comments I read here but it apparently has the incorrect fittings. It needs flared fittings not O-rings according the mechanic. Would anyone have any advice they could share please?

Thank you!

[Pedro_The_Swift]

Have you worked out what exactly heavy duty means when it comes to radiators Gavin?
more fluid? an extra row? more fins per inch?
or just better built perhaps?

curious..[biggrin]

[scanfor]

Hello all. I am new here, having just bought a 1988 Classic. Unfortunately I had a fan blade go through the radiator last weekend. Have replaced it with a Fenix thanks to the comments I read here but it apparently has the incorrect fittings. It needs flared fittings not O-rings according the mechanic. Would anyone have any advice they could share please?

Thank you!

Mine came with the wrong oil cooler fittings too. Fenix paid for me ro have new lines made up by Pirtek, so cudos there, but I hoped the would have changed them on subsequent orders. 300Tdi by the way.

[gavinwibrow]

Have you worked out what exactly heavy duty means when it comes to radiators Gavin?
more fluid? an extra row? more fins per inch?
or just better built perhaps?

curious..[biggrin]

Hi Pedro, I know you are interested too!.

Basically, i need more cooling when towing the 3 plus T brick at anything approaching 80 kmph or more ie when putting the boot in a wee bit. Normal urban/country/low range running is no probs, have new thermostat and viscous coupling, existing LR OEM radiator now about 4 years old with little bush work, radiator fins are not dirty, all hoses younger than 4 years with silcone versions for oversize intercooler.

Having an oversize transmission cooler in front (with fan) possibly limits my options a bit eg EL falcon type pusher fans mod, so however I can get enhanced cooling is the objective, be it 3 cores, better finning or whatever - never previously considered extra fluid, so will cogitate on that.

Not getting any joy to date from questions here, from mechanics or from random or odd comments/discussions from elsewhere.
Cheers

[harro]

In the process of replacing the radiator in my 02 Defender.
It still has the original so I thought it was about time.

looking at either a Nissen one or maybe the Fenix.
So I have resurrected this old thread in the hope someone has had a Fenix rad in their vehicle for a few years and could give some feedback (hopefully positive).

Cheers,
Paul

Just a followup the my OP.
Well i ended up going with the Nissens radiator.
A bit over $300 to my door.
Fenix didn't have any in stock and weren't planning on getting any so not an option.
Also contacted PWR, mixed messages, don't make them for my vehicle but if I get in touch with Bruce Davis I could probably get one as they supply for him.
Also looked at Aliisport but getting a bit up there in price by the time it gets here + tax so the Nissens one it is.
Supposed to be OEM spec and i have never had overheating issues with the 110 even towing a 1.5t camper in 45 degrees so hopefully I have made the right choice[bighmmm]

[harro]

oops double post

[Pedro_The_Swift]

Not getting any joy to date from questions here, from mechanics or from random or odd comments/discussions from elsewhere.
Cheers

I'm not sure why either,,,
its not rocket science,
The car manufacturers come up with a "size" so there must be a formula somewhere--

I am (very!) happy to be shot down,, but my two cents worth-- [bigwhistle]

everything below the thermo temp means coolant flow is slowed in the system,
but if the thermo is fully open at 96, and the system has access to 100 percent of its flow, then the only other cooling option is airflow,, ??
yes?
I am happy that the engine fan does the best job of this.
an interesting side question is when does a "High idle" become (think heat) self defeating?
as we already have a 3 row rad, and limited side tank space, the only real option is a more efficient core,,

At one time I had a 302 fairlane to tow the racecar with ,, it only had a two-row rad,,,,
We used to call it the Blue Tongue,, as it was a few shades of blue and liked to sit in the sun,,,[bigrolf]

[Classic88]

Mine came with the wrong oil cooler fittings too. Fenix paid for me ro have new lines made up by Pirtek, so cudos there, but I hoped the would have changed them on subsequent orders. 300Tdi by the way.

Fenix wasn't able to help in this case unfortunately. Tried three different stores this morning. Reece's came close but no cigar. Pirtek says they can make me up something next weekend so the plan is to connect up the inlet and outlet from the oil cooler with hose so I can run the car down to them to have a look at.

[Vern]

Hi Pedro, I know you are interested too!.

Basically, i need more cooling when towing the 3 plus T brick at anything approaching 80 kmph or more ie when putting the boot in a wee bit. Normal urban/country/low range running is no probs, have new thermostat and viscous coupling, existing LR OEM radiator now about 4 years old with little bush work, radiator fins are not dirty, all hoses younger than 4 years with silcone versions for oversize intercooler.

Having an oversize transmission cooler in front (with fan) possibly limits my options a bit eg EL falcon type pusher fans mod, so however I can get enhanced cooling is the objective, be it 3 cores, better finning or whatever - never previously considered extra fluid, so will cogitate on that.

Not getting any joy to date from questions here, from mechanics or from random or odd comments/discussions from elsewhere.
Cheers
When i had my old 6.5L chev diesel rangie, i tried 3 different 4 core copper radiators with different fan setups, always ran very hot. Ended up with a custom 2 core aluminium radiator. Core was about 50mm thick from vague memory and each core was about 20mm, it worked an absolute treat.

[scanfor]

Fenix wasn't able to help in this case unfortunately. Tried three different stores this morning. Reece's came close but no cigar. Pirtek says they can make me up something next weekend so the plan is to connect up the inlet and outlet from the oil cooler with hose so I can run the car down to them to have a look at.
They'll probably reimburse you if yiu send them the Pirtek invoice