DC back order, loosing car for weeks, is it normal? Need help

[SilverViper03]

I had a wonderful ride, parked the car and I smelt a bit of Preston (cooling liquid) I wasn’t sure (thought it was maybe the smell of hot brakes). I came back 3 hours later all the cooling liquid was in the driveway. I sent it right a way to the dealer that repairs the most Vipers in my province. They found a failure in the radiator (never had an impact). They pretend that NO radiator is in stock in AMERICA. Is it possible?

Are there any other people with a radiator issue on a SRT?

Here in Montreal, summer is so short, I don’t want to lose it during so long. The dealer pretends that the manufacturer of the radiator will have to build one??????? And it will take a few weeks!!!! And DC will offer me a regular car for………5 days???? I still have my Hummer but I need a convertible for the summer!

Who can help me? Thank you in advance for your suggestion.

 

[FASTFUN]

You can try Bars Leak if it is a pin hole! This might hold till the new one comes in.

 

[Steve-Indy]

Just for the record...your dealer is correct.

As I had a little time to kill between coolant flushes on a Viper today, I stopped in at a Dodge dealership that takes care of many of our members' Vipers...parts manager looked up a 2004 Viper SRT-10 radiator on their Chrysler Dealer Connect computer...NONE available in US (not at Dodge and not at any dealer)...expected time to be shipped from manufacturer was (I believe) July 18, 2005.

Having "been there before", that wait time is really not too bad...I waited 3 months on a rear caliper for one of our Gen I's.

Sorry to confirm the bad news...but MAYBE it will come in early.

 

[Viperfreak2]

There's a federal law that says a manufacturer must keep all parts available for each model it sells. Those parts must be available for a minimum of 15 years after the car goes out of production. There's no excuse for DC not to have 20-30 2004 SRT-10 radiators in a warehouse somewhere. I'm clueless about Canadas laws.

 

[95Viper]

You might consider calling Tator Dodge in NY. He has everything and might be able to help. If not, you'll get a straight answer.

 

[nopokerface]

I feel your pain more than you know. About two weeks ago, my 04 srt radiator gave up after about 12k mi. After a short but frustrating search for a warranty replacement, I gave up and ordered one from Velocity Performance in Dallas. They were very helpful and located a Howe unit that they drop shipped to me in a day. I ended up paying for the warranty fix and installing it myself, but that's better than letting the car sit for weeks while dodge figures out they have a supply problem.

The Howe unit has performed well in the 100+ temps we've been having lately. The welds are not as pretty as some of the custom units I've had made before, but if it holds water and cools the car, what more can you ask.

Good luck with your search. My recommendation would be to forget the warranty, get a radiator, and get back on the road.

BTW my radiator looked like it had mechnical damage to the backside (fan side). I had just driven about 1000 mi. in 95F+ heat and I guess that was enough to open a hole (even though the car never got hot). I've got pics if you email me.

If you decide to replace it yourself, I've got some tips. It's pretty straightforward, but there are acouple of things that will make your life a little easier.

 

[Skip White]

HAVE THE RADIATOR REPAIRED.

Any good radiator shop can repair the radiator, as good as new. The cost is very little to do this, and removing the radiator is really an easy job, as it's so acessable.

Yes you would be out a about $150.00 or so, but having the car in the shop for several weeks, while several hundred people open and close the doors to get a peak inside, and many of them actually climing in and out of the car, will be much to worry about. I would hate to leave my car at the dealership that long.

Rad. shops really can repair the leak perfectly.

Maybe you can talk the dealer into doing just a repair, and paying for it, but they may say they can't do this, due to warranty policy.

What's leaking the tanks or tubes. Repair it, and be done with it, this will tie up your car for 1 day.

Nopokerface had a good idea also, but do try and see if you can upgrade from the oem unit, (ligher weight, better cooling, etc) Actually a better cooling rad. will be smaller than the oem unit. The smaller unit, will only be a problem, during the hottest part of the day, during long peroids of idle.

So see what's on the market for a lighter better cooling rad. Sure would be nice to get the temp off that 205 mark, while running in lower gears.

 

[AviP]

There's a federal law that says a manufacturer must keep all parts available for each model it sells. Those parts must be available for a minimum of 15 years after the car goes out of production. There's no excuse for DC not to have 20-30 2004 SRT-10 radiators in a warehouse somewhere. I'm clueless about Canadas laws.

I thought it was 6 years after it goes out of production.

 

[JonB]

We had a radiator in stock....til yesterday.

We have USED (AS ViperRusselli posted)

But FIX yours for now, and drive the car. Replace free later.
Minor cost to D-C in place of a rental replacement will be reimbursable under your warranty due to non-availability of parts, but pre-arrange the reimbursement with D-C customer care.

You could call me for the USA #.... dunno if CANADA is the same (planet)

 

[SilverViper03]

Thank's for all your comments. On Monday I will see what can be manage with the dealer to be able to use the car.