2002 Excursion Radiator Durability
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New User
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2002 Excursion Radiator Durability
My 2002 Ex has a plastic radiator resevoir and i am curious about the overall durability of these radiators. I use my Ex as an overland camping rig almost exclusively, so being miles off grid with a weak radiator or components is a concern. My buddy just had his toyota radiator blow apart on him way off grid and he has a similar plastic resevoir like me. Just wondering what y'all think.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 1,320
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From: Central Florida
My 2002 Ex has a plastic radiator resevoir and i am curious about the overall durability of these radiators. I use my Ex as an overland camping rig almost exclusively, so being miles off grid with a weak radiator or components is a concern. My buddy just had his toyota radiator blow apart on him way off grid and he has a similar plastic resevoir like me. Just wondering what y'all think.
Once you get that done, chances are then something else will let you down
You might be worried about nothing, but then don't know how your X has been maintained in the past. Radiators don't appear on here to be big failure items.
What about everything else that could POSSIBLY go wrong, you will drive yourself nuts.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,123
Likes: 1
From: Ontario, Canada
My 2002 Ex has a plastic radiator resevoir and i am curious about the overall durability of these radiators. I use my Ex as an overland camping rig almost exclusively, so being miles off grid with a weak radiator or components is a concern. My buddy just had his toyota radiator blow apart on him way off grid and he has a similar plastic resevoir like me. Just wondering what y'all think.
My radiator blew out before the overflow. That was more than 3 years ago and I still have that overflow. Trying to guess what will fail will drive you nuts and cost a lot of cash.
Veteran/Sheepdog
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 6,047
Likes: 110
From: Western AR
My plastic-tank radiator failed on me while pulling a buddie's 5th wheel. The tank on top (right at the hose) cracked just under the hose connection. I couldn't see it, so I couldn't figure out where all the coolant was coming from for a while. I initially thought the clamp wasn't tight enough. Fan was slinging coolant all over the place. Really made a mess. That was at about 240k miles. I replaced with all aluminum option. Have had no problems since. Just turned 300k.
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My plastic-tank radiator failed on me while pulling a buddie's 5th wheel. The tank on top (right at the hose) cracked just under the hose connection. I couldn't see it, so I couldn't figure out where all the coolant was coming from for a while. I initially thought the clamp wasn't tight enough. Fan was slinging coolant all over the place. Really made a mess. That was at about 240k miles. I replaced with all aluminum option. Have had no problems since. Just turned 300k.
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 5,250
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From: West Virginia
I've got 190k on my stocker and it's still working but I do have a coolant leak at the front of the motor I'm trying to locate and it never occurred to me that it could be the radiator. One more thing to look into. I know in the off road community the plastic end tanks often separate from the aluminum where they are crimped because of the flex from severe use.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2011
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From: Thousand Oaks, CA
I've got 190k on my stocker and it's still working but I do have a coolant link at the front of the motor I'm trying to locate and it never occurred to me that it could be the radiator. One more thing to look into. I know in the off road community the plastic end tanks often separate from the aluminum where they are crimped because of the flex from severe use.
The aluminum core has tabs that are bent over holding a seal against the plastic tanks. I suspect with age/heat (20+ years / 200k+) the tabs weaken and the plastic can split. I figure when I get 20 years or 200k on the Exped or Excur I'll get new radiators.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,123
Likes: 1
From: Ontario, Canada
My plastic-tank radiator failed on me while pulling a buddie's 5th wheel. The tank on top (right at the hose) cracked just under the hose connection. I couldn't see it, so I couldn't figure out where all the coolant was coming from for a while. I initially thought the clamp wasn't tight enough. Fan was slinging coolant all over the place. Really made a mess. That was at about 240k miles. I replaced with all aluminum option. Have had no problems since. Just turned 300k.
Mine blew out in the same spot. Towing on the interstate in 95F. I had about 190k on it when it went.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 180
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From: Central Ohio
My plastic-tank radiator failed on me while pulling a buddie's 5th wheel. The tank on top (right at the hose) cracked just under the hose connection. I couldn't see it, so I couldn't figure out where all the coolant was coming from for a while. I initially thought the clamp wasn't tight enough. Fan was slinging coolant all over the place. Really made a mess. That was at about 240k miles. I replaced with all aluminum option. Have had no problems since. Just turned 300k.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XixtZqpILm4
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,402
Likes: 38
From: Bonita Springs FL
Mike, how did you pull that 5th wheel with your Excursion? Something like this?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XixtZqpILm4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XixtZqpILm4
Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 180
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From: Central Ohio
I think I fixed it. At least it worked after I edited it. And no it's not a TowBuddy.
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 29,380
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From: Central Coast of CA
Nope, you still have the smiley with the url address.
Here ya go:
I haven't seen that vid (or of the same thing but with the VW bug) in a long time! Reps!
Stewart
Here ya go:
I haven't seen that vid (or of the same thing but with the VW bug) in a long time! Reps!
Stewart
Veteran/Sheepdog
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 6,047
Likes: 110
From: Western AR
I refer to any large travel trailer as a 5th wheel out of habit. My bad. It was a bumper pull.
In regards to the video, I love the idea. The problem isn't that they aren't made any more, it is that the tow vehicle in the video isn't made like that anymore.
Jcthorne, you are likely very correct in your observation. My X came with worm drive clamps on it when I bought it, and the neck broke right under the worm drive clamp. I now have t-bolt clamps on my all-aluminum replacement, so I don't have to deal with that anymore.
In regards to the video, I love the idea. The problem isn't that they aren't made any more, it is that the tow vehicle in the video isn't made like that anymore.
Jcthorne, you are likely very correct in your observation. My X came with worm drive clamps on it when I bought it, and the neck broke right under the worm drive clamp. I now have t-bolt clamps on my all-aluminum replacement, so I don't have to deal with that anymore.