Graham Hutton Posted August 14, 2023 Share Posted August 14, 2023 I'm on my second radiator failure now on my 310R and I've only done 7500 miles. The first was replaced under warranty and the second has blown in exactly the same place (top corner where the cores meet the top section.Anyhow, got me thinking if there are any decent alternatives to the standard Caterham one. I see there is one by Radtec where the cores run horizontally rather than vertically. Anyone have any experience of this one or indeed any advice on other alternatives. I have been pretty diligent in fitting it to make sure there is no tension in the bobbins causing a twist in the radiator.Do your thing blatchatters..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative paul richards Posted August 14, 2023 Area Representative Share Posted August 14, 2023 Can't go far wrong with a Radtec. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative DerekH Posted August 15, 2023 Area Representative Share Posted August 15, 2023 I fitted a Radtec in March, runs a bit cooler but build quality is fantastic.They also advise blue coolant IAT rather than OAT (red), saying they only see failure with pin holes in those with red.Radtec will also make you a vertical version if you prefer it. Having the tanks on the side make it stronger for the mounting.Get your fan size correct and the mounts will be welded to the radiator. The fan mounting brackets are then not required.DerekH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David_Stamp Posted August 15, 2023 Share Posted August 15, 2023 I went with a Radtec also - well pleased Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Hutton Posted August 15, 2023 Author Share Posted August 15, 2023 Thanks everyone. A new radtec and some blue coolant looks like a smart purchase. Did you guys go for the 50mm or 60mm one? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative DerekH Posted August 15, 2023 Area Representative Share Posted August 15, 2023 60mmDerekH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted August 16, 2023 Member Share Posted August 16, 2023 There's a lot of previous discussion in the archives about appropriate coolant when RadTec suggest one type for the radiator and the engine supplier suggests another for the engine.Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Hutton Posted August 16, 2023 Author Share Posted August 16, 2023 Any idea where that is in the archives Jonathan? I've done a search but come up blank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted August 16, 2023 Member Share Posted August 16, 2023 https://www.caterhamlotus7.club/forum/techtalk/radiators-coolant-after-420r-failure https://www.caterhamlotus7.club/forum/techtalk/k-series-ally-radiatorsJonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Hutton Posted August 17, 2023 Author Share Posted August 17, 2023 Thanks for that Jonathan. A very interesting set of reading. So, on my 310r I am going to fit a 60mm radtec with 11" fan fitted super carefully with shims if required, and stick with the orange OAT coolant that Caterham specify. i guess my logic is that I'll be providing the best cooling system and protecting myself against any failure risk to the relatively cheap rad rather than the engine etc. I think I'll also add a full coolant drain and flush both the engine and rad to my winter service schedule. I wonder how long it'll be before I'll be back on here talking about a rad failure......thanks for everyone's contributions in this. It's been an interesting thread Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted August 17, 2023 Member Share Posted August 17, 2023 That's what I'd do. Including minimising loads from hoses in that super careful fitting.Except for flushing annually.Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Vine Posted August 17, 2023 Share Posted August 17, 2023 #11 Except for flushing annually.Agree with that. A good-quality OAT coolant like Xstream Comma G30 will last five years. JV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevehS3 Posted August 17, 2023 Share Posted August 17, 2023 Apologies for not understanding but is an annual flush necessary? I swapped to a blue coolant and change that every 2 years as per the instructions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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