Hi,

You may have seen my post in the "wanted" forum looking for a radiator for my TDX. Ive solved the problem and thought Id share the info with the group - Ive noticed one or two overheating problems reported.

Firstly my TDX started to run warm (and if pushed to overheat) some 12 months or so ago and its got progressively worse. Basically it was fine under normal driving but ran warm at 70mph on the motorway and got "quite hot" on a prolonged climb at 70mph. Additionally it got close to "overheating" on longish steep climbs at low speed. Towing up hills also caused it to get a little warm. No water was lost - except through boiling!

Did all the usual stuff, checked thermostats, replaced coolant, checked the fan was ok etc. Finally, last week - after a year of "being careful" what I did with it - it went in for its 120000 service ( ie timing belt ) and I got the garage to see if they could suggest anything.

The reply was that the radiator was in need of almost immediate replacement due to severe corrosion. Now nothing at all was visible from the front ( grill ) side, this only came to light as the fan and cowling was removed to do the timing belt. Being a nice garage ( yep, a daihatsu dealer ) they suggested I didnt even want to know the price of a new one and suggested I got it refurbished.

Refurbishment wasnt an option since I need the vehicle on the road and cant part with it for a couple of days. Answer - Bluebridge 4x4 breakers in Doncaster ( I found them in another post on this website ) - rang em up last Thursday, told em what I wanted, they immediately confirmed that they had one. Cost me £60 + carriage vat and was delivered the next day. I can recommend them as can I recommend motorad in Redditch who were also very very helpful.

Saturday I took my old radiator out and found the damage - Ive still not worked out why it hadnt sprung a leak - maybe 30-35% of the radiator has corroded way ( ie the cooling fins ) - I ran my finger down it and the whole thing just crumbled away, kind of like burnt paper.

Now the interesting thing is that I compared the two radiators and realised that the replacement was beginning to show very early signs of corrosion IN EXACTLY THE SAME PLACE - and I do mean EXACTLY the same area. Specifically the lower section of left hand side ( as viewed from the fan side ). Seems to me this is a bit of a coincidence and must be a feature!

New radiator went on with only one minor hitch - the bolt holes for the fan cowling are a few mm closer together than the old one so the cowling bends just a little. Other than that all ok and Ill be getting the old one refurbished at some point.

Took it for a pelt around some nice big hills here in the peak district and its 100% perfect, not a sign of it even thinking about getting warm.

So

1) if you have some odd heating problems - take the fan cowling off and lift it aside ( only a couple of 10mm bolts ) and check out the rear of the radiator - looks like a possible design flaw to me.

2) if you need parts - try bluebridge 4x4.

3) Id be happy to post photos if anyone is interested

4) Id be interested to hear if anyone else has experienced this corrosion pattern.

Hope that lot is of help to someone, either now or in the future.

Gareth.