Faulty Radiator

[tongsatriani]

Hello All,I can't imagine my dissapointment!My brand new BEHR radiator fitted 11 mths ago is now leaking! Mechanic & Radiator specialist say it cannot be repaired. Need to change to a brand new one! This leak according to specialist is very rare!Now, the distributor is reluctant to compensate as there is no warranty on BEHR products!Can anyone shed some light as I genuinely found it's a product defect & shouldn't give way in such short time frame.

 

[pussy]

very bad luck bro.. even my original bmw tie-rods gave way after 6 months..

 

[flash]

Bad luck bro... my fan clutch from Behr (I think), also gave up less than 12 months. And now my fuel pump is making that humming sound just after 12 months.... damn.

 

[Slide]

Same problem with my rad, and my mech said he'll only will cover me if it was installed less than 6 months. Mine died at 11 months too. Although the original lasted 9 years, does anybody know if it's the same as the Behr?

 

[tongsatriani]

If some workshops giving a 6 mth warranty, I would say there is warranty from Behr but how long that's the question!

Yeah, luck another side; giving the fact it fail less than a year is really unacceptable! I'll try find out & feedback soon.

 

[ALBundy]

Yup, mine failed in less than a year. Subsequently my supplier offered to sell me an original BMW radiator at the same price I bought the Behr for. So far more than a year no problem. Its from an e39.

Someone told me there is a factory manufacturing Behr radiators in Senawang. Anyone heard something similar??

 

[tongsatriani]

I managed to trace the sole distributor for this brand. Apparently there are a few that distributes to sparepart shops eg. Bavarian Auto, Stuggart etc etc.

This is getting interesting;

Most that I had relate this matter to find it amusing to fail after 11 mths! Even the spokeperson from the "sole distributor" find it weird!! & refer me to his Manager.

Now, this Manager give me all sort of crap that a radiator may fail due to other components failure/incompetence (eg. water pump, gearbox, hoses, water ration etc etc).

He says if it's within 6 mth, he will change but 11 mths no way!

What difference it makes?? A radiator will NOT crack like that under normal circumstances!

After going through this nonsense, I'm taking it to the Consumer Tribunal Claims for further advise.

From my point of view, they are just being ignorant & pointing fingers!

Stay tune guys!!

 

[Mouse]

walau eh, mine also BEHR new installed 3 month ago for E46 cost me 680, cross my finger it will last.........tongsatiani let us know how is the tribunal result, at least we know what to do if (touch wood) we suffer the same fate. my mechanic told me BEHR is good, that is y he uses it, but seems so many of u guys using this brand and suffer the same fate.....sigh

 

[tongsatriani]

BEHR is a good brand, no doubt! But sometimes there is this lemon. So, I got it!

I'm not so sure how Tribunal can help but at least I got an option rather I'm losing now doing nothing.

 

[Zoggee]

yeah..happens to me too.

Tong, I feel you man. maybe its a human error intead of parts failure but here's what I got to say for what happened to me.

my clutch master pump failed on me this morning.

oem parts nowadays doesnt last long anymore...*sigh*

Changed the slave and the master pump ( FAG) lets see how long it last.

 

[koryong]

The BMW original costs RM1300. For additional RM500 I don't mind paying if it can last up to 9 years.

Original can also fail if you're unlucky. Just changed mine yesterday : 3+ year old e39 with only 40,000km mileage .... ... tiny leaks at the radiator and thermostat housing only under cold condition.

From my mech's experience, Behr radiator life-span is 3-4 years regardless of mileage.

 

[willy5]

I think Behr is c**p. In the last 4 years, I have changed out 3 units. 2 rads for my E34 -1 year life span and I just replaced that on my e39 yesterday (don't know how long the old one lasted as I'm the second owner). They're made in South Africa, (the ones I got ).
BTW I also just discovered that the expansion tank is replaceable and it is connected to the radiator core with hose and o-rings. These can leak and it is not necessary to change the whole radiator. It could be just a loose hose clip or worn O-ring which is a few bucks to buy and of course some labor charges as well.
Some mechanics just insist on replacing the whole radiator which is $$$.

 

[Powerhaus]

anybody tried replacing the sides of the aluminium radiators with full aluminium housing?

 

[fandango]

oh boy, my behr is now 4 months old...dun tell me it's only got another 7 months?? totally unacceptable man...such poor quality...

 

[tongsatriani]

Don't worry much fandango. Luck do play a part too! As long as your cooling system is ok, just keep fingers cross. BEHR is a good brand. Over here, it's just my luck...

 

[DiNAN.328i]

tong,

any updates?

 

[tongsatriani]

tong,

any updates?

The Tribunals hearing is on 29 this month, 9am at Putra Place. I'll update on the outcome in this thread. Everyone is welcomed to attend. I'm not so sure how well I'll be doing. Anyways, I'm giving it a shot!

Stay tune!

 

[funfer_fahrer]

I think Behr is c**p. In the last 4 years, I have changed out 3 units. 2 rads for my E34 -1 year life span and I just replaced that on my e39 yesterday (don't know how long the old one lasted as I'm the second owner). They're made in South Africa, (the ones I got ).
BTW I also just discovered that the expansion tank is replaceable and it is connected to the radiator core with hose and o-rings. These can leak and it is not necessary to change the whole radiator. It could be just a loose hose clip or worn O-ring which is a few bucks to buy and of course some labor charges as well.
Some mechanics just insist on replacing the whole radiator which is $$$.

Any idea where can I buy the stand-alone plastic expansion tank (the one that is attached to sides of the metal radiator)? I didn't know you can buy it seperately. Some mechanic suggested that it can be repaired.

 

[faeizal]

u can just sent the radiator for service and they will do the repair... U'll need special tools if u want to DIY... Like AB Segambut... they sent the radiators for service at a shop on the same row as the RHB Bank in Segambut...

 

[blackrobe]

my behr was replaced 1 1/2 months ago.... for RM490..... all this chatter is giving me the jitters.... i thot the brand was reliable....