Nissen vs Behr radiator

[candyman]

So I have always used the South african made behr radiators in all of my vanagons without issue. Until now, several weeks ago my 1 year old behr radiator began leaking a lot of coolant from the side bafflings. I purchased it from autohauaz. It has a two year warranty so they will replace. I spoke with the autohausaz rep and he said that they have noticed the quality control on the behrs have been slipping over the last few years. That is news to me. He suggested I try the Nissen radiator, which is made in Denmark. While it has a slight difference like the top bleeder valve, it is supposed to be superior in qaulity over the Behr. Can anyone confirm or deny this claim? Is anyone using the Nissen? I am considering trying it out as I dont want to be replacing this radiator again in another year if the behrs are slipping in quality

[Zeitgeist 13]

Can't help with VAG stuff, but for MB parts Behr appears to have shifted their product manufacturing to Asia, and well...you know how that goes. Nissens used to be a ruddy-haired step child of the aftermarket industry, but now they're probably the best you can buy from most of the usual vendors.

The aftermarket parts industry is in complete chaos right now. No brand seems immune to the quality control decline.

And sadness ruled the land
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Casey--

'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik?

[syncrodoka]

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=558261&view=next

[Terry Kay]

Perhaps I should start building made in the USA radiators.

You want all stainless or all brass?
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T.K.

[Zeitgeist 13]

Aluminum with aluminum end tanks would be just fine
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Casey--

'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik?

[16CVs]

I've been running one for 20K and it seems to work fine. I was a little leary of it when my Shop was putting it in shop was putting it in but I read up on them and they seem to b e decent quality with great fit and finish.

Stacy
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1987 Syncro Westfalia Triple knob (bastard)
1989 Syncro Tristar Triple knob "Swedish"
2013 Jetta Hybrid a true "Zwitter"
Samba member # 14980
Call anytime number 650 722 4914 .
Keep Your van running and upkept tastefully for the love of the hobby.
Don't let your van end up in an "abortions" thread.

[candyman]

[candyman]

[Butcher]

Sadly, most companies must cut corners to keep the cash coming in. All too often, the corners get cut too deep and then the comebacks start coming in.

Behr, like Bosch used to make good stuff. Their quality has suffered for it, but they'll get a handle on it and make it right. So it will take a few years for it to happen. I would stick with a Nissen at this time.

[atomatom]

you probably know this, but just in case. if you are seeing a series of coolant system failures then it could be the system has too much pressure. that may be just a cheap blue cap, or could be the expensive combustion leak. my cooling system has a lot of new parts because all the weak ones got blown up. my radiator included (replaced with one from cip1 for around $200 - i drove to pick it up and i don't recall the brand)

during that debacle, i thought about installing a cooling system pressure gauge. i never did, although i have most of the parts for it.
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84 Vanagon Westy, 1.9L, California raised but defected to Canada.

[syncrodoka]

[AtlasShrugged]

I have had good luck with Nissens. Not in my Vanagon though, it has a five year old Behr radiator. I have three Audi cars with Nissens radiators. Two have Nissens A/C condensers too.

[wesitarz]

I put in a Nissens rad last summer. Cooling was OK but started to see some funky temp issues with my VDO gauge,I think unrelated to the rad. Went to bleed the rad and tightening the hot plastic bleed screw I decided to just snug it up with adjustable pliers - SNAP! FH!
Advice - cut away a lot of the overhanging VW metal to give good access to the bleed screw and turn with a dime or flathead screwdriver only - no pliers!
If you do snap the head off I have just done a replacement using a 10mm coarse thread bolt 3/4 inch,9.5mm O-ring and dremeled a groove in the threads about 3/8 inch long.

[82westyrabbit]

Tk I will take my radiator in cooper please like the one that came out and a set of your stainless coolant lines for a 82 deisel as well.😃

[mellowslow]

2 year old Behr/Hella radiator weeping from the seam in the cold today.


Guess I'll be testing the Nissens
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'87 WBWE FAS Gen V

[erdonline]

I'm looking for a replacement radiator and came to this topic to help decide which one. I've come across not only the Behr and Nissens, but several on eBay that make me wonder who makes them.

But I did come across one called "Behr Hella Service" for about $100. One place evan has one simply labeled "Behr," also for $100, but I can't imagine it's the same Behr that sells for closer to $200.

I know someone mentioned buying a Hella radiator on Rockauto recently but I can't find a post about it.

Rockauto's page on Hella radiators says something about spending less on parts for older cars that may be worth less.

I don't want to skimp, but I've read stories about leaking Behrs and Nissens that don't allow the lower baffle to fit right.

Who's got experience with these "Behr Hella service" radiators?

Thanks,
Ed
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'85 Vanagon Westfalia
'84 Vanagon 7-passenger
'98 Mexican air-cooled Beetle

[Abscate]

SWMBO blew a two year old Nissens on our Volvo 200 yards from house..God Bless her she walked home rather than run the red light of sadness home.

With Volvo, you have seconds of running time once overheat happens, not minutes.

I replaced with Nissens again , with lifetime warranty, for $100 vs $400 OEM as this seemed like a fluke failure, and no one could tell me where OEM was made today, for that matter.
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.ssS!

[mellowslow]

[Abscate]

Must be expensive to manufacture in South Africa and then test in Oklahoma....
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.ssS!

[Butcher]

And you wonder why they have to cut corners to keep the costs down. An accountant will find that out someday.