Took my Titan in for 30k, walked out with a new radiator

[phlydude]

Put my truck in on Wednesday night with the drop box and put my laundry list in the envelope (I find it much easier not dealing with people who don't take the time to put it down exactly as you say).
Little complaints like the paint coming off on the steering wheel radio controls, tire loses 10 lbs of air per week in the cold and I don't see a nail, etc.
One of the things on the list was "I smell antifreeze after long drives". But I didn't see any signs of antifreeze anywhere, definitely not on the ground.

Low and behold, I get the call @ 4:30 on Thursday telling me that they need to keep the truck overnight and that it needs a new radiator (they are batting 2 for 2 on the overnight keeping the truck when I bring it in).
Lucky for them, they didn't have a loaner available for me to beat on so I had to stay at home on a warm Friday afternoon sitting at the computer networked into my office. About 12:30 the call comes in that the truck is done and I can come pick it up. Pay my money and leave. Go get gas before it jumps to $3/gal and drive it home. When I get home (about 12 miles), guess what I smell?
Antifreeze. Again, no signs of leakage but the smell is there.
Saturday, I rush throgh the rain, get in the truck and drive about 1/2 mile and tire pressure sensor goes off.
Same tire they supposedly plugged a nail hole on.
Then I look at the receipt, the radiator was covered under warranty but guess what wasn't? HOSE CLAMPS, they charged $3.60 for them.

Total bill for my 1.5 days without the truck and a 30k, radiator and nail plug...$419

Beware the service intervals...I only do them because I drive a lot of miles and I don't want any issues coming to light if my engine, tranny or diff blow up.

[P's Titan]

ouchy... sounds like another trip to the dealer

[HudsonValleyTitan]

Originally Posted by phlydude

Put my truck in on Wednesday night with the drop box and put my laundry list in the envelope (I find it much easier not dealing with people who don't take the time to put it down exactly as you say).
Little complaints like the paint coming off on the steering wheel radio controls, tire loses 10 lbs of air per week in the cold and I don't see a nail, etc.
One of the things on the list was "I smell antifreeze after long drives". But I didn't see any signs of antifreeze anywhere, definitely not on the ground.

Low and behold, I get the call @ 4:30 on Thursday telling me that they need to keep the truck overnight and that it needs a new radiator (they are batting 2 for 2 on the overnight keeping the truck when I bring it in).
Lucky for them, they didn't have a loaner available for me to beat on so I had to stay at home on a warm Friday afternoon sitting at the computer networked into my office. About 12:30 the call comes in that the truck is done and I can come pick it up. Pay my money and leave. Go get gas before it jumps to $3/gal and drive it home. When I get home (about 12 miles), guess what I smell?
Antifreeze. Again, no signs of leakage but the smell is there.
Saturday, I rush throgh the rain, get in the truck and drive about 1/2 mile and tire pressure sensor goes off.
Same tire they supposedly plugged a nail hole on.
Then I look at the receipt, the radiator was covered under warranty but guess what wasn't? HOSE CLAMPS, they charged $3.60 for them.

Total bill for my 1.5 days without the truck and a 30k, radiator and nail plug...$419

Beware the service intervals...I only do them because I drive a lot of miles and I don't want any issues coming to light if my engine, tranny or diff blow up.

I've had my truck in 4 times for the same antifreeze smell and they've checked everything including the cooler lines that have been troublesome on others trucks here. No leaks. I notice it usually after towing. What they said was they had to change a faulty radiator cap, which they did. I do smell it periodically still but not as much. I think it's a venting system that causes the smell because I now have 20k miles on my truck, I've not lost an ounce of antifreeze. It's weird I know.

[Titan1219]

you could be smelling residual antifreeze from them spilling some on your truck when they drained it, changed it and refilled it. Ride it like it is, but keep your eye on it and see if the smell starts to disapate. You got ripped on the clamps, no reason they couldnt re-use the old ones.

[bestatchess]

Originally Posted by Titan1219

you could be smelling residual antifreeze from them spilling some on your truck when they drained it, changed it and refilled it. Ride it like it is, but keep your eye on it and see if the smell starts to disapate. You got ripped on the clamps, no reason they couldnt re-use the old ones.

The original clamps are the pretty useless spring type. Hopefully they replaced them with stainless screw driven band clamps.

[grunge311]

Wow, Im glad my titan has been so trouble free in this regard. Antifreeze smell would really tick me off.

[phlydude]

To be honest, I'm glad that I got it in there when I did. I was running back and forth to Boston for illness and then death of my Father-in-law and I smelled it then but didn't have time to take it in until we got back and settled.
With another trip planned and the weather warming up, it's just a matter of time before the A/C gets turned on and the cooling load increases on the truck.
I have never seen any wetness coming from the system, I guess it boiled off (which would be the smell I had) but I have concern that if a radiator was bad now, how many more am I going to be going through in the future, especially when the warranty is over.
30k miles in less than a year and a new radiator - never had a problem with the cooling system in my Honda or Dodge cars and both were up there in miles.

[goathead]

i was changing the oil/filter today and notice that there was dried antifreeze along the whole bottom of my radiator and around the lower hose. i too had the occasional smell of antifreeze but noticed no leaks or spots. hopefully gonna take her in tomorrow night for a drop off and get her back tuesday evening.

[MississippiTitan]

I also have the smell of antifreeze. I call myself looking everywhere.

[BRACEYOSELF777]

Looking at the top of my engine cover...and under the antifreeze cap...notice little dry marks of antifreeze....do I have a major issue here????

[MississippiTitan]

I think this is a very common problem for us.

[goathead]

well, took it in monday nite, so they could start work first thing. called this am(tuesday) and they said they were putting a new radiator in. they actually had one in stock. went and picked it up this afternoon and drove the 40 miles home. got in the garage and there was a nasty smell and smoke. looked under it and the whole bottom was coated and dripping tranny fluid. no telling how long it had been leaking.
so, i called and talked to the service manager(nice guy)and they sent a flatbed down w/ a loaner. the whole truck has a fluid spray on it. the rear axle is coated. here are some pics(click for larger pic).

[HudsonValleyTitan]

The problem with our trucks isn't our trucks. It's the undertrained, unqualified morons they have working on them.

[goathead]

Originally Posted by HudsonValleyTitan

The problem with our trucks isn't our trucks. It's the undertrained, unqualified morons they have working on them.

its definately not helping the situation any, that is for sure....

[BKW]

Originally Posted by HudsonValleyTitan

The problem with our trucks isn't our trucks. It's the undertrained, unqualified morons they have working on them.

This is true for most of the auto industry today....with cars as boring as mud, there's very little interest today with kids coming out of school wanting to join the auto industry in some capacity.

When I started in the early 60's, many of the mechanics were hot rodders, and took pride in their work.

Now to most so called mechanics, it's all about a paycheck...pride of workmanship is non existant.

And factory training is meaningless today...when it's needed most to fix the electronic nightmares we drive. In the old days, mechanics actually attended classes, now the rep comes by for an hour....and knows less than the students.