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  #1  
Old 10-22-2007, 09:19 PM
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Jiffy Lube Service/ Cracked Radiator

Hi , I was wondering if anyone had ever had any problems with having had their car serviced at Jiffy Lube? I had my oil changed and they were to top off all fluids and check hoses. I got my car back and the very next day smoke started coming out of the engine compartment after a lengthier drive. At first I thought it might be some spillage, but came to find out that there seemed to be what looked like a stress crack in the center of the plastic top that covers the radiator. Antifreeze was flowing slowly out of it shortly after the car was started.
I immediately called Jiffy Lube because I believe that maybe someone might have leaned or braced themselves on this part of the radiator while servicing it thereby cracking it. They even admit that their was no leakage upon receipt of the car but they are trying to say that they dont generally take off the radiator cap when servicing and that the age / mileage of the car is what caused the crack. I told them that the crack wasnt at the radiator cap and that the timing of the whole incident makes it hard to believe that their wasnt some negligence on their part.

Anyway I got a estimate to repair the problem from an independant and basically I am told that I need to replace the radiator and with labor it will come to approx $500.00 (ouch!) Any thoughts?? Thanks!
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Old 10-22-2007, 09:36 PM
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There have been problems with Jiffy Lube, but not with the radiator. This is a very common problem with the radiator. Many are failing now because it is plastic and the car is 15 years old or so. There is an all aluminum radiator that can be purchased from PWR ($600 or so), or stock type with the plastic like the one you have for around $165 or so. I would say that it is just a coincidence that the radiator failed after they serviced your car. Time for a new radiator.
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  #3  
Old 10-22-2007, 10:01 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ensteele View Post
There have been problems with Jiffy Lube, but not with the radiator. This is a very common problem with the radiator. Many are failing now because it is plastic and the car is 15 years old or so. There is an all aluminum radiator that can be purchased from PWR ($600 or so), or stock type with the plastic like the one you have for around $165 or so. I would say that it is just a coincidence that the radiator failed after they serviced your car. Time for a new radiator.
Earl is an honest guy and you have an honest answer.

To put your mind more at ease, I can advise that I had the same problem and it applies in respect of many makes of car. Radiator specialists here have become expert at fabricating metal tanks.

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Old 10-22-2007, 10:20 PM
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The Jiffy Lube here in Corvallis is staffed by complete M O R O N S (At least the one on 5th street is, I dunno about the one on 3rd or the one on Circle), Couple of months ago we had a Subaru come in that they put SIX QUARTS OF OIL into, and it was a FOUR BANGER that was supposed to have four! Wouldn't surprise me if they cracked it somehow, but aside from leaning on it I don't see how they could...


Although this is the same place that for a while after Subaru started putting the spin-on transmission filters on, they'd drain the tranny, put four quarts of oil in the engine, on top of what was already in there, and put an engine filter on the transmission. Usually by the time the car got to us (Subaru dealer) every seal in the engine was blown due to eight quarts of oil being in it, and the transmission was fried due to lack of fluid.
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Old 10-22-2007, 11:21 PM
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...

I am starting to wonder.

When I first got my car, it sat in the garage for a while. Then I got new wheels and tires, and immediately took it to Jiffy Lube for a complete service. Changed everything. All fluids. That day, later in the day, I noticed a small leak on the underside. The next day it ruptured.

I attributed it to age of the car, myself. I still do. But what a coincidence that two SVXs going in for service would get radiator cracks.

Anyway, get a replacement radiator like Ensteele said. They're not expensive, and honestly they're incredibly easy to replace even on your own. I had a mechanic who owed me some favors so he offered to do it, but my dad and I could've done it if we needed to.

Best of luck.
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  #6  
Old 10-22-2007, 11:33 PM
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yep i agree wth trevor!! i had 2 replace mine a few weeks ago but over here its not easy 2 find a replacement as no point geting a 2ndhand one as itl b 15yr old as well, two of my m8s had same prob 91celica gt4, and a supra, so they gave me good info where 2 get a new steel or alloy top put on ur old one if ur core is sweet.. now mine is like new again, seem as we have a good underbody cover and the aircon radiator infront of the radiator ur core should still be like new..
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Old 10-22-2007, 11:53 PM
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Trevor is right again!

A used radiator is the same age as yours.
There is basically no labor in replacing it. a couple of bolts and a couple of clamps.
EBay has new ones for about 150.00 but They are basically ALL plastic. Not a good idea. The link to the "good" one on eBay is http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SUBAR...QQcmdZViewItem
I bought a new Subaru one from subaruparts.com but it is just the same as the ones we have, except new. If I had it to do over I would spend a little more and get the all metal one.
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Old 10-22-2007, 11:58 PM
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Just a note... I was talking with the Subaru guru at the local dealer (I'm inclined to trust her since they end up working on the Orange drift team cars ) and she says that the plastic radiators originally used have been superceded by metal ones in the system. I'll have to see how much one of those costs just in case the replacement I have fails sometime.
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Old 10-23-2007, 01:56 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nomake Wan View Post
Just a note... I was talking with the Subaru guru at the local dealer (I'm inclined to trust her since they end up working on the Orange drift team cars ) and she says that the plastic radiators originally used have been superceded by metal ones in the system. I'll have to see how much one of those costs just in case the replacement I have fails sometime.
your not meaning japans 'Team Orange' are you ?? that drift/race rearwheel wrx's ??
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Old 10-23-2007, 02:24 AM
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  #11  
Old 10-23-2007, 04:49 AM
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Lonefeather,


I just had the same problem with the radiator on my '92, and I never use Jiffy Lube. Over the weekend I used JB Weld to stop the leak. First drain the radiator. Then clean the plactic top. I sanded the top a bit to roughen the surface to get the JB Weld to adhere better. I bought the two tube version of JB Weld for $5 at Pep Boys. I used half of each tube mixing it throughly with a flat stick (an old wooden yard stick cut into 8" long pieces). I applied the first layer Sat. afternoon and let it dry for a FULL 24 hrs before mixing and applying the second layer on Sun. afternoon. I let the second layer dry for another FULL 24 hrs. Last evening (Mon) I refilled the coolant system and fired up the car and let it idle for a long time checking for leaks. The fans came on and off and there were no leaks. Then I drove it around our development, brought it back to the house and checked for leaks. There were none. This morning I drove the car to work (33 miles). I checked with a flashlight at work. So far no leaks, thank GOD. Tonight will be the real test. The drive home is usually stop and go traffic and the weather should be warm for this time of year (80+ deg. F). So if the radiator starts to leak, it will be tonight. I have 2 Pretone jugs full of water for insurance to get me home, sitting behind the drivers seat, .

Just in case, I am looking for a stock radiator.


Good Luck.
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  #12  
Old 10-23-2007, 05:33 AM
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I believe most here will agree that ANY attempt at repairing a cracked radiator top tank should be considered temporary. It might hold for a day or a week or a month, but it won't hold as long as you hope. Don't risk overheating your car; just buy a new radiator, then forget about it for the next 10-15 years.

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Old 10-23-2007, 06:27 AM
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Quote:
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yep i agree wth trevor!! i had 2 replace mine a few weeks ago but over here its not easy 2 find a replacement as no point geting a 2ndhand one as itl b 15yr old as well, two of my m8s had same prob 91celica gt4, and a supra, so they gave me good info where 2 get a new steel or alloy top put on ur old one if ur core is sweet.. now mine is like new again, seem as we have a good underbody cover and the aircon radiator infront of the radiator ur core should still be like new..
Thanks,

What upsets me a little, is that this very universal radiator problem has by some, been wrongly attributed as another awful SVX fault. This is not the case, as you have confirmed. Plastic tanks are breaking down in all makes and models. If anything this is an industry balls up.
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Old 10-23-2007, 10:00 AM
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Originally Posted by Lonefethr View Post
they are trying to say that they dont generally take off the radiator cap when servicing
...how do they check the SG? there isn't always fluid in expansion tanks
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Old 10-23-2007, 10:09 AM
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What upsets me a little, is that this very universal radiator problem has by some, been wrongly attributed as another awful SVX fault.
I think the "awful fault" is the price tag, not the part. Lack of numbers...lack of aftermarket support.

I'm still yet to have a rad problem it has looked great since the day I got it... knock on teak (only wood nearby)
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