Cracked Radiator

[ORANGE U NV]

I have 257 hrs. on my M5040 and suddenly after driving across the feild to check the fence I find radiator fluild leaking. After removing the radiator I find 2 horizonal cracks along the plactic bottom between the bottom fan shroud brackets. The tractor is 1 month shy of 3 years old and of course out of warranty. Just wondering if this was a fluke or if this is more common? BTW, new ones are $400.00

 

[ray66v]

If you still have a radiator shop in your area, see if they will repair it.

Plastic tanks can sometimes be welded.

 

[ORANGE U NV]

If you still have a radiator shop in your area

It's sad isn't, but hardly anyone repairs things anymore.... It's a disposable world. I think it would be tricky on this one because the cracks intersect the brackets where the nuts are held in place.

 

[number two]

Having spent some time in the parts business,$400 for a Kubota radiator seems pretty reasonable.$600 or more is normal-Good Luck!

 

[Kubota 2350]

The tractor is 1 month shy of 3 years old and of course out of warranty.

My way of thinking, it should be covered, call the dealer.

 

[ray66v]

It's sad isn't, but hardly anyone repairs things anymore.... It's a disposable world. I think it would be tricky on this one because the cracks intersect the brackets where the nuts are held in place.

Well actually, since changing to aluminum radiators in cars, it is not uncommon for them to last for the life of the vehicle.

Even though they are not very repairable, they do need fewer repairs.

In your case, somehow there was more strain/vibration on it then it was designed to handle. Or, less likely, it is defective.

I would try to re engineer things to relieve the stress.

It sure won't hurt to try leaning on Kubota. Bypass the dealer, go right to customer service, and be persistent.

 

[ORANGE U NV]

Funny thing when I called for a price...of course I politely expressed my disappointment with Kubota about having to replacing a broken part on my barely used tractor I bought new from them. No comment....just, "$440 for that part Sir."

I called two other dealers and got a $400 price. I called back and told them and they were like "Oh, we can match that price, no problem". In fairness, my dealer was $1200 less on the purchase of my tractor...but I guess they are trying to make it back on parts.

ray66v-Thanks I'll will try the Corporate Customer Service route. I think maybe the bottom bolts were over-tightened and that was the stress?

 

[repete]

Do not install the radiator until you confirm that 1) the radiator cap opens correctly and 2) the vent hose to the overflow tank is clear of any obstructions.

A non functional cap or vent pipe can cause an overpressure of the entire system. Look at the size of the tank. For every 1 PSI of pressure in the system there is 1 pound of force applied to the tank bottom. Caps are cheap. Usually they fail to hold pressure but they can fail to bleed pressure as well.

 

[ORANGE U NV]

Do not install the radiator until you confirm that 1) the radiator cap opens correctly and 2) the vent hose to the overflow tank is clear of any obstructions.

Picked up the radiator Saturday and it includes a new radiator cap. Got a phone # to a factory rep. & will be calling Monday. I'll keep y'all posted on the outcome.

 

[ray66v]

Got a phone # to a factory rep. & will be calling Monday. I'll keep y'all posted on the outcome.

If he does not take care of it, politely ask to talk to his supervisor. And work your way up the chain of command.

I had to go all the way to the top once, to get a very small problem solved.

About 25 years ago, I had a weekend job as a professional photographer. I desperately needed to buy a part for a very expensive, heavy duty Bogen camera tripod. (Context: Bogen is the John Deere of camera tripods), Everyone at Bogen customer service kept telling me, I needed to order it through an authorized dealer. The problem was, no dealer had a part number, or a way to order a part quickly. I had 5 days before I had to use the tripod for a job, and I was determined.

After many calls to various departments, I finally asked to talk to Lester Bogen, (the well known owner of the corporation), and actually got them to put me through to him! When I explained the situation, he apologized, and transferred me to a person who informed me they had orders to overnight ship me the part, and anything else I wanted, no charge.

I learned, if your persistent, sooner or later, you will find yourself talking to someone who has the power to correct the situation, and does not have the time to argue with you. That's when you will get your satisfaction.

 

[Greenfield Dave]

I cracked the base of my radiator and repaired it with JB weld. It cracked at the "nipple" that extended through the hole in the mounting bracket. So I roughed the surface and put two coats on. Sanding between coats. Been two years and 200 hours so far...

 

[ORANGE U NV]

Well it's been almost 2 weeks and since I've not been contacted, I called my dealer who was working the claim.

He apolojized for having not called sooner, because he lost my number (really, I bought the freaking tractor there & my info has not changed). Anyways...."Sorry, the local rep said your past the 2 yr. warranty"
This is true...the plastic base of the radiator cracked at 2 yrs & 11 months. I posted the incorrect hours in my orginal post...the tractor have only 236 hrs total. It is a weekend garage queen that gets used for annual mowing and moving hay.

I have called back to Georgia to speak with my earlier contact. I'm waiting for a call back. So far this decision has been made with no one calling to asked to see the damaged radiator, asked for photos or any details.

I've been happy with the tractor, but I did pay more for a Kubota to avoid this VERY thing happing with a cheaper brand company.

 

[ray66v]

I've been happy with the tractor, but I did pay more for a Kubota to avoid this VERY thing happing with a cheaper brand company.

I am not sure a Kubota costs more, I think that's Deere your thinking of .

The easiest way for them to solve their problem, is to ignore you until you give up.

 

[SARG]

The easiest way for them to solve their problem, is to ignore you until you give up.

That's a painful truth.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

While ours are metal radiator issues in tractors can occur from time to time. Some caps can be replaced better than others.

 

[ORANGE U NV]

A resolution...... The dealer was NO HELP (Gulf Coast Tractor in Land O Lakes). I saw a post on KTAC (Kubota Insurance). So I call them and since my tractor was finaced with Kubota it had KTAC. They agree that a plastic radiator bottom should not crack on a tractor less than 3 yrs old. They believed something stressed it, such as pothole, striking object, etc. I'm not aware of any of those things occuring, but whatever. So the result is my $400 radiator is a $250 deductable. Had my dealer been more helpful, the repair could have been transported to/from the dealer with him doing the labor for the same $250...instead I already replaced it, but they will reimburse me the difference in the part.

Needless to say I have added KTAC, since it expired with my payoff Nov. 1st. It was $180 a/yr for my M5040 including the loader.