Radiator Barn radiator review [Archive] (2024)

joe morreale

8th January 2014, 08:44

Just under 3 years ago I bought an OEM style replacement radiator from Radiator Barn. It fit and installed perfectly. It started to leak from the bottom seam last week. It was $75 delivered.

I, perhaps foolishly, decided to try their new company, Get All Parts, for a replacement. It was $101 delivered. I was concerned that the $60 ones on ebay were total junk.

I certainly hope that my 2 year radiator was a fluke. It never had tap water in it. Only 50/50 or distilled water. Never overheated and system was flushed twice.

Get All Parts does not give tracking numbers or give a specific date for arrival. I've emailed them with no response. I ordered it 5 days ago. I feel like I should get it today, but nobody knows. .

The company base is in Tampa, FL. When I tried to call them the phone said that they were out of the office to do inclement weather. The temps dropped to 36 the other night. I don't think that's cold enough to close up shop. I'm stuck waiting on a road trip for the need of this radiator.

Overall, including my first experience, I have to give them a thumbs down rating. I probably should have just bought a cheapy from ebay. I can only hope that there product fits properly.

Laz

8th January 2014, 09:05

MMoondog

8th January 2014, 16:03

The tyc/koyo sold from amazon is less than 100 shipped and it is OEM quality. I am very happy with it. It is highly recommended here in the forums. You do have to buy the one sold by amazon, not third parties.

This is correct. If nothing else, the customer service from Amazon is amazing. If you are a Prime member, you can probably get two day free shipping on that radiator.

In any event, you get more tracking info than you could ever hope for.

You may have been "got" by Get All. I don't know them. Sorry to hear about it if that is the case.

I usually by things from 3 types of sources base on price and availability.

I check on Amazon first. This is mostly because of the free, fast shipping.

I order from our advertisers here. This is because I get quality parts and quality service.

The third source would be from heartily recommended sources from other members here, if one of the other two don't have the item.

So far, no bad experiences and I have yet to fail to find the right part or item.:jump:

GSN

8th January 2014, 22:14

stevekat

9th January 2014, 02:26

boomercarguy

9th January 2014, 10:07

The tyc/koyo sold from amazon is less than 100 shipped and it is OEM quality. I am very happy with it. It is highly recommended here in the forums. You do have to buy the one sold by amazon, not third parties.

+1. I did the same thing last year and I have been very pleased. As a matter of fact, I bought another radiator for my daughter's 2002 Civic. Extremely quick delivery, great quality, great price.

mattdizzle

9th January 2014, 10:18

Kevin M.

9th January 2014, 12:06

Does anyone know a source for a similar cost tic/koyo OEM quality unit spec'd for an automatic (that specifically has the deeper core than the manual version.) I think many vendor sell a version that has provisions for an automatic, but has the slimmer core of the manual.

Every aftermarket rad I've seen in the last 10 years has been the double-row spec (auto tranny) version. The OEM manual spec was single row. I'd say if it has the connections for the tranny cooler lines, it's the double row.

mr72

9th January 2014, 13:54

joe morreale

11th January 2014, 11:45

I got and installed my radiator yesterday. It took 4 days. It was shipped from Indiana.

Made by CSF which is the same brand Radiator Barn carried. I went with the Radiator Barn because it was all the rage on these forums 3 years ago when I needed one.

Installation was a breeze with all bolt holes aligning up perfectly. Now I hope this one last more than 3 years.

CSF gives a lifetime warranty, however, you must have a certified radiator tech pressurize your system and keep both your original receipt and test results. That ain't going to happen.

My next radiator will be an all aluminum one. My friend has one he damaged the upper neck on by dropping something on it. I'll get it welded and put it away.

stevekat

11th January 2014, 12:58

The standard replacement ones I've seen have the auto-granny fittings, but are the same depth as the OEM manual radiator, while the factory auto-tranny radiator had a deeper core. Unless I missed something in my research.

Every aftermarket rad I've seen in the last 10 years has been the double-row spec (auto tranny) version. The OEM manual spec was single row. I'd say if it has the connections for the tranny cooler lines, it's the double row.

leakyfaucet

11th January 2014, 13:13

Kevin M.

11th January 2014, 23:28

Tink

12th January 2014, 00:21

Of the really critical parts on a Miata, the radiator is one of them. Why would you buy cheap?

I got a Koyo radiator from Goodwin when I upgraded my cooling system on my s/c 03. Dependable cooling is important to a Miata - be easy to save a few $$ and cost a lot more later.

Been there done that on the pay me now or pay me later.

stevekat

12th January 2014, 04:00

If one was able to talk to a human who knew the product, you could ask them to measure the depth of the core. But most of the time they don't have the part in proximity, are not familiar with it and are just trading boxes with numbers on them. Occasional exceptions. Some folks actually list the specs (measurement o the radiator - but some only the box!)

I guess I stand corrected but the last one I bought - admittedly a number of years ago - was a double row. I don't know how you can determine which it will be without seeing it before you buy.

gp04msm

12th January 2014, 04:56

You do have to buy the one sold by amazon, not third parties.

I think it's necessary to point out that ordering something that is "sold by amazon" is not guaranteed to come from inventory sourced by amazon. Many things being sold via Fulfillment by Amazon are placed in commingled inventory (http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html/?nodeId=200243180) and you will receive your shipment from whatever warehouse is fastest/cheapest for them to do so.