Radiator brand/manufacturer: Behr, Nissens, JP/Dansk,...

[VicVan]

Good morning Samba,

My questions: Which radiator brand should I buy? Are the JP Group/Dansk units good quality?

I've spent some time reading through the forum, browsing and calling vendors, here is what I have:

Behr: used to be the real deal. Have since outsourced to China. Chinese units are not good quality, units made in South Africa are still good quality. To know which is which, the South African version:
- is more expensive
- is branded "Heavy Duty" or "Premium Line"
- has a brass screw (Chinese version has a plastic screw)

Nissens: used to be crap, now seems to work fine (according to Samba and VanCafe). The good version has a metal screw, like Behr.

JP Group/Dansk: Any feedback on these? They are $200 CAD at CIP1 instead of at least $350 CAD for the other two brands.
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'90 Little Blue Truck, 2WD auto, FAS GenV 2.0 NA (AVH)

[CessnaJon]

I bought a real South African radiator from Napa a few years back. It seemed to be built to the same quality as the original. No problems so far.
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1973 Westy (shared birthday)
1990 Westy Multivan
2015 Passat TDI 6sp
2015 Sportwagon TDI 6sp
LR-JET, Gulfstream 159

[ZsZ]

I bought the heater matrix from an UK manufacturer. It is full copper.
http://www.motoradsonline.co.uk/products/Volkswage...52d91.html

JPG was crap a few years ago. They try to improve, but not OEM quality.
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Zoltan
1.9 MTdi 2wd Multivan (ex Caravelle)
Van since 2006, engine since 2008

[DanHoug]

[Silverghost500]

SA Behr radiators are no longer available. I ordered one last year. It was the real deal, but was damaged, so had to order a second. Same make, model, part number, and price. The replacement was the cheaper China manufactured unit.
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1986 Volkswagen Vanagon Westfalia "Von Westy"
Honda K24A converversion-Road Testing Phase
3-Speed Automatic

Von Westy YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbhyZYxJEQrUuLnMbLleeIA

[goubeaux]

SA Behr is what you want. I got one a few months ago, from GW, not sure about their current availability though.

[termuehlen]

The South African Behr radiators are available at GoWesty. I just received one this week. $250 plus shipping/handling. Unfortunately I had to order this radiator because my 5 year old South African Behr radiator started leaking last week. It will be two weeks before I can get to it, but I will post pictures of the old radiator once I remove it.
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1988 Westfalia automatic Subaru OBD1
1986 syncro tintop wbx

[VicVan]

Just ordered one as well, a Behr made in SA, from Werke1 in Vancouver.

I'm curious where yours failed after only 5 years. Did you flush coolant every other year and whatnot?
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'90 Little Blue Truck, 2WD auto, FAS GenV 2.0 NA (AVH)

[ZsZ]

[ALIKA T3]

The Behr -Mahle part number when listed is different from Chinese and RSA.
Premium Line 8MK 376 713 631 is the good one.

The new Nissens and Chinese Behr look identical, prolly a private label manufacturer.
_________________
Silicone Steering Boots and 930 Cv boots for sale in the classifieds.
Syncro transmission upgrade parts in the Classifieds.
Subaru EJ22+UN1 5 speed transmission
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=416343
Syncro http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4...num+gadget

[remraf]

A year or more ago RockAuto had some generically listed "closeout" radiators for vanagons. There is a thread here but a samba member ordered one and they turned out to be the SA Behr radiators. At the time they were $60. Might be worth a look to see if they're still there?

[termuehlen]

Here are some pictures of the current South African Behr available from GoWesty:

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1988 Westfalia automatic Subaru OBD1
1986 syncro tintop wbx

[termuehlen]

[wesitarz]

Nissens installed in 2015.No leaks. Stainless bleed bolt replacement has been OK.

[Abscate]

Meyle Behre Hella…..soon all parts will be Taco Bell

Don’t forget to test your radiator with a flashlight
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.ssS!

[Crankey]

Has anyone considered taking an old rad to a shop that actually builds custom radiators and have one built to match ? All welded aluminum ? Maybe even soldered copper ? I'd expect copper to be more spendy but having a radiator fail can ruin a lot more than a day.

[ALIKA T3]

[Crankey]

Yeah, Behr from RSA, but that manufacturing went to China too, so there's Behr rads from both places.
I'm just wondering if it's time for a place like RMW to look into making rads like they do coolant tanks.

[Crankey]

Forst brand radiator made in the EU, available through heritage parts is a repro of the Behr unit. Haven't seen it mentioned yet but one is going into my rig. Hopefully it tests out good.
Looks the same. 🤞

[brickster]

Bump for any recent reviews. Crankey, how do you like the Forst?

Pretty sure mine is original (1984 Campmobile with 153K) and causing higher than optimal temps.