Radiators on eBay - Any recommendations?

Pizzer11 · Post by **Pizzer11** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 12:53 am

Hi All,

I'm going through the process of replacing my radiator on the slim chance that this will hopefully resolve my overheating issues; however, I fear that only a replacement engine will do that (but that's another thread!!).

On eBay I have found 3 eBay "Stores" that stock radiators.

(1) IEZURA - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 0189091110
At £133.99 (inc P&P) this is the cheapest option,
Feedback is 99.7% positive from 5102 transactions,
1 year warranty included.
IEZURA eStore - http://stores.ebay.co.uk/iezura - for those who stumble on this in the future but the item's long gone from eBay.

(2) JAPAN SPARES - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 4627672339
At £153.74 (inc P&P) this is over £20 more than option (1),
Feedback is 99.8% positive from 5021 transactions,
No warranty shown on ad (emailed seller to confirm no warranty with rad.)
JAPAN SPARES eStore - http://stores.ebay.co.uk/JAPAN-SPARES

(3) Automotive Japanese Spares - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 0179062873
At £158.00 (inc P&P) this is almost £25 more than option (1),
Feedback is 99.8% positive from 4516 transactions,
No warranty shown on ad (seller emailed)
Automotive Japanese Spares eStore - http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Automotive-Japanese-Spares

Based on the above and the ads, I'm going with Option (1) - IEZURA. It's the only one that comes with a warranty and it is the cheapest.

However, in terms of cost, there's little to separate the 3, so if anyone out there thinks that I should choose Option 2 or 3, then I'd be interested to know why.

Furthermore, if anyone can recommend some other rad. supplier, then I'd greatly appreciate being informed of them also.

waycar8 · Post by **waycar8** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 8:33 am

before commiting to buy from anyof them email each one and ask if it has a overflow pipe on the neck of the raditor where the radiator cap is attached, if so dont buy it, as you have to cut it off and solder it or blanck it off i like i had to, i used a small peice of rubber hose with a small extension bar out of a toolkit.

once engine warms up the presure lift the rad cap up and a very small steam of coolant escapes, not to cause overheating but it always in the back of your mind if you know what i mean

Pizzer11 · Post by **Pizzer11** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 10:15 am

Thanks WayCar8,

Just so I have this straight, you're saying that if I was to buy a radiator with an overflow pipe, I would have to blank it off, otherwise the rad cap will lift under the pressure of a warm engine allowing a small amount of coolant to escape as steam? If I've understood your reply right then thank you very much as that is definitely something I'd rather avoid.

I will ask each of the eStores if they have these overflow pipe connections on their radiators and report back. Before I do so, can anyone recommend anything else I should enquire about?

Finally, I'm a complete newbie when it comes to the mechanics of vehicles, so I'm confused as to why the photos of the rads shown all appear different. Can anyone explain why this is?

vanvliet · Post by **vanvliet** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 1:26 pm

Overflow - Is it such a big hassle to blank it off if, in all other respects, it is the correct radiator and going for a decent price?

Post by **Ian** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 2:03 pm

Here's quote from the Overheating fact sheet, written by Tom at Bell Hill Garage:

Mazda radiators are quite inexpensive and it is always best to opt for the genuine article as they are only a few pounds more than the copies but are much more efficient in their cooling ability.

vanvliet · Post by **vanvliet** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 6:02 pm

- so the issue is not only the overflow pipe but also the rad core

waycar8 · Post by **waycar8** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 6:41 pm

Pizzer11 wrote:Thanks WayCar8,

Just so I have this straight, you're saying that if I was to buy a radiator with an overflow pipe, I would have to blank it off, otherwise the rad cap will lift under the pressure of a warm engine allowing a small amount of coolant to escape as steam? If I've understood your reply right then thank you very much as that is definitely something I'd rather avoid.

yes exactly right, i learnt the hard way, noticed the extra pipe in the next but fitted it anyway, drove around for a few weeks no problems, went to a bongo bash, showed off my new rad and noticed a drop in coolant on the expasion tank, topped up and had a check to see if all the hoses were ok, and noticed the coolant dripping from the overfow out of the rad neck. its the same pressure bar as the expansion tank so when the engine gets hot it lifts the first pressure relief cap as its the lowest one

Pizzer11 · Post by **Pizzer11** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 7:01 pm

OK, I have been in touch with all of the eStores. In short:

- All 3 eStores provide a 12-month manufacturers warranty with there rads,
- IEZURA's radiators are not genuine Bongo rads but "Pattern Parts",
- JAPAN SPARES' radiators "fit bongos" but do not specifically state they are genuine Bongo rads, I therefore assume they are pattern parts too,
- Automotive Japanese Spares' radiators are genuine Bongo radiators.

Most were unable to tell me over the phone whether the rads have an overflow tube or not; however, I gather from other's comments that this is not as important as ensuring you purchase a genuine Bongo rad (which I would assume does not have this anyway).

As such, I have just purchased a radiator from Automotive Japanese Spares. It is the priciest of the 3 options (nothing in it really) but worth it for the extra peace of mind.

For the benefit of those who stumble on this in the future.........

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

At time of posting, 3 eBay "Stores" stock radiators.

(1) IEZURA - http://stores.ebay.co.uk/iezura
Not genuine bongo part; classified as a Pattern Part,
At £133.99 (inc P&P) this is the cheapest option,
Good Feedback with 99.7% positive from 5102 transactions,
1 year warranty included.

(2) JAPAN SPARES - http://stores.ebay.co.uk/JAPAN-SPARES
Not genuine bongo part; probably a Pattern Part (unconfirmed),
At £153.74 (inc P&P) this is over £20 more than option (1),
Good Feedback with 99.8% positive from 5021 transactions,
1 year warranty included.

RECOMMENDED EBAY STORE
(3) Automotive Japanese Spares - http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Automotive-Japanese-Spares
Genuine Mazda Bongo radiator,
At £158.00 (inc P&P) the most expensive option,
Good Feedback with 99.8% positive from 4516 transactions,
1 year warranty included.

vanvliet · Post by **vanvliet** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 7:42 pm

Sensible decision

dandywarhol · Post by **dandywarhol** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 7:56 pm

But bear in mind Mazda don't make radiators - they just source lots of bits from suppliers and bolt them on.....................There's every chance that the pattern ones are actually the same as the ones Mazda supply.

For all the price difference as Ian says, I'd probably have done the same as you

waycar8 · Post by **waycar8** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 8:00 pm

i too would have done the same, if its an origional Mazda rad, the top part will be plastic and not metal, as every bongo i have seen the top part has always been plastic and the replacements that have all been bought off ebay are metal.

Better in my oppinion but, the overflow pipe on the neck is the bit to watch for.

vanvliet · Post by **vanvliet** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 8:02 pm

Did you have your old rad flow/ pressure tested?

Pizzer11 · Post by **Pizzer11** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 11:22 pm

Yes I have. My bongo is at MD Motors as I type. What the mechanic thought was a routine Head gasket failure (if there is such a thing) no longer seems that simple. As I (no mechanic by the way) understand it, the head was taken off, skimmed and passed a pressure test, then replaced with a new gasket.

Unfortunately the engine still wasn't re-pressurising(?) correctly. MD Motors have tried a number of things and I (and MD Motors) have sought assistance from Bell Hill Garage over the phone. MD Motors have tested my existing rad and whilst they concluded it needs replacing, they do not consider it the root of the current problem. Their fear (and my nightmare) is that the Block is deformed. Apparently there is no way to test this for sure.

However, on the advise of Bell Hill, we are proceeding with the radiator replacement with fingers and toes crossed in the hope that it solves the problem. MD Motors are fairly certain though that the rad experiment will only conclude that a replacement engine is required (Watch this space, eBay engines thread coming soon!).

If anyone out there can think of any other possible solutions that don't necessitate a replacement engine (should the new rad not resolve things) I'd love to hear it.

dandywarhol · Post by **dandywarhol** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 11:42 pm

Pizzer
A block should be able to be checked for distortion by a competent mechanic, a straight edge and feeler gauges.

The Great Pretender · Post by **The Great Pretender** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 11:52 pm

Ok its late, maybe im missing something here. Why not get the rad recored?