Warning on WallothNesch Radiators

sfdon

sfdon

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They are assembled so that you can not connect the upper radiator hose. There is an inadequate gap between the frame and upper radiator nipple for the hose to fit.
Also- the core is placed at the rear of the frame so a spin on fan clutch is unusable.
Do not buy.
 
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Bmw original pic
 

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Hi,
Have you reported it to them? I'll go there next week to pick up some minor fittings and brake parts. Bought a radiator for an E3 with A/C 2 years ago from W&N and that one was fine. I'll discuss it with Mr. Walloth.
/A
 
OK Don, you made me go look at mine. I bought it a bit ago while they were on sale and even with shipping it was a very good deal. I will be installing it over the next few weeks but I hadn't noticed what you pointed out.

The first section of the top inlet is just a bit shorter but the angle is tighter thus closing the clearance. Mine was squashed a bit in shipping so it's out of round but I wonder if that contributed to the tighter angle. It also looks like the side tank is placed on a bit offset also making the neck be closer to the frame.

In the two pictures below you can see that yes the elbow is closer to the frame than the original.

P1090630.JPG


P1090631.JPG


As you say, the core is inset, or pushed toward the front of the car, a little over 1/2". But wouldn't this help provide more clearance for the fan? In reality it doesn't since there is a vertical brace bar running down the middle in both radiators and if the clearance problem is manifested by the fan hittig the top crimp of the bar onto the radiator frame.

P1090633.JPG


Original: No inset of core.

P1090635.JPG


The hose. An original BMW hose has a thinning out of the outer rubber cover in the last couple of inches which helps provide some clearance. At least in my radiator, it's tight but the hose clamp fits over the bead and it just touches the frame. It's very close. I don't think that that non-BMW branded hoses have that thinning out of the rubber.

P1090640.JPG


P1090641.JPG


P1090643.JPG
 
Well done pics Luis.
You described the issue perfectly and really better than I did.
The neck is too tight to the frame [ not the core, you are correct]
I have a 1/2 dozen OEM hoses in the shop so I will try different ones.
At this point the angle is so acute and the gap so small that there is no room to install the hose and clamp
I also have access to 2 dozen old radiators - none are built like this at the top.
All of them are just like your old one with a different angle and a bigger gap.
I tried filing the paint off with a miniature file - no good.
My guess and I will check is that the gap on my radiator is 1/2 of yours.
 
I have to say my disappointment is doubled by the cost of replacing the water pump and fan and fan clutch to a spin on model to no avail. Wasted money and stuck removing the radiator to remove the fan and clutch.
 
For what it's worth I sent W&N an email alerting them to the problem and directing them to this discussion.
 
Thanks Luis-
I went back and used a micrometer and feeler gauges.
Hose wall is 5mm and gap is 3mm.
no need to measure the hose clamp. :]
 
BTW- I notice that the left tank on your radiator is bent [not in line] with the rest of your radiator. This is making your occlusion worse also.
 
W&N reply ??!?!

Hi Luis,
did they come back with a reply?
As far as placement of the element in the frame is concerned, there are at least 2 different radiators. One for cars with AC, which means the frame is full of radiator cores, 2 or 3 if I remember. Living in Europe, I am not too concerned about over heating, but W&N will suggest the thickest one for cars in CA with AC.
 
I received a reply from W&N. The indicate its shipping damage and even though I purchased it a year ago, they will replace it free of charge. That's very upright of them. Don, you should contact them to get the same.
 
I got a very pleasant (and very prompt) email from W&N saying it seems to be a matter of damaged goods.
Nice to do business with people who respond to problems.
 
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