The Behr units are gone and aren't coming back.  I have people call me or
email all the time asking for them.  Please stop asking, they are gone.

However, there is an aftermarket option that we sell which is a copy of the
Behr unit that is made in Taiwan.  That is the one I sell and recommend at
this point.
I haven't had any issues or failures with them so far.  I have been selling
them for about three years now.  Here is a link to it:
https://www.vanagain.com/product/vanagon-radiator

Let me know if you have any other questions.

Ken

On Wed, Feb 22, 2023 at 9:18 AM Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com>
wrote:

> A failure of the tank to core seal is a very common problem with this
> radiator design. Same for the heater cores. I often wonder how much money
> and weight is really saved by this design and no way is it a unique failure
> for the vanagon. What is rare is the passenger side tank assembly has both
> the feed and return and a common failure is for a crack to develop inside
> and also coolant to flow from one to the other and not actually travel
> through the core. Some radiators also have transmission and engine oil
> coolers as part of these tanks. These side tanks and seals can also be
> damaged by excessive temperature and pressure or steam flashing. This
> failure can be a symptom of something else being wrong.
>
> As for radiator brands for year the Behr unit that was probably supplied
> for Vanagons still being built in South Africa was the unit of choice. The
> Behr "Service" units were actually made in China and al the ones I have
> seen had a different core design, round tubes instead of the oval tubes.
> Similar to what was used in many early water cooled VWs.  This round tube
> core radiator has noticeably less cooling capacity especially when using
> air conditioning. I have one in Fun Bus and it just doesn’t work well in
> hot weather with AC.
>
> Lately I have been using units branded Spectra. This is what you have in
> your 85. I have had a few fail on install, usually pin hole core leaks.
> They perform as well as the OEM and are usually readily available.  As for
> longevity have not seen any failures except for those immediately on
> install. As for warranty that will be up to the supplier.
>
> While we like to think that once a radiator is a long life item it often
> is not. There are many variables that can cause failure. Radiators used to
> be very expensive and there was an industry built up to repair them. This
> is till common for trucks and industrial equipment. My motorhome needed a
> radiator at around 60K and that was an $1,800 plus 25 hours install and 20
> gallons of coolant event. Our 2012 Jetta had a radiator replaced while the
> car was still under warranty. My 91 now needs another heater core. These
> things failing is just part of the vehicle ownership experience!
>
> Dennis
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com> On Behalf Of Eric
> Caron
> Sent: Tuesday, February 21, 2023 10:28 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Radiator disappointment
>
> Well folks,  I’d love your recommendations for a new radiator.
>
> My 84 seemed60 to have a leaky hose but it wasn’t.  It is the radiator
> itself leaking along the seam where plastic and metal come together.  A
> drip every 3 seconds or so under pressure.
>
> Radiator is just 3 years old with 16,000 miles on it.
>
> I’d love to hear your thoughts on where I might get one that has a better
> chance of lasting.  I don’t know the brand of this one.
>
> Tips greatly appreciated.
>
> Eric Caron
>

-- 
Thanks,
Ken Wilford
John 3:16
www.vanagain.com