Does anyone have any experience with the quality of CSF radiators? Or any suggestions for a quality aluminum radiator replacement other than CSF?
I have had the following problems:
The radiators were installed in a 2008 Hummer H3 Alpha.
Radiator #1: Was installed in 06-2021 about 5,000 miles of use later, it developed a leak. A warranty replacement (radiator #2) was provided.
Radiator #2: Was installed in October of 2022. Around 06-2024 about 8,000 miles of use later, it developed 3 leaks in the inside corners of the top and bottom tanks. Another warranty replacement (radiator #3) was provided.
Radiator #3: It was installed in June of 2024. Yesterday 10-05-2025 about 7,000 miles of use later, it developed a leak on the inside right corner of the top tank.

This is very frustrating. The original radiator was in the vehicle for 13 years before I replaced it with the CFS radiator. I purchased the CSF radiator because of the reviews thinking it would provide years of service before a replacement would be needed. Well, I was wrong.

The 3 replacements were provided showing CFS stands behind and support their products. However, in my experience, the length of service quality is not there. I need a replacement radiator again, and I’m not sure what I will do at this time. Any suggestions?

 

Its a very common problem with CSF radiators especially with the H3 platform we have gone through a ton of them as we were maintaining a small fleet of H3 and bought around the same time. They all failed and failed again ended up throwing in scrap. OEM is the best we are going to get for now. Some people on the forum tried Griffin radiator for h3 and also failed.

 

Thank you atvspeed4 for the info. I thought it was just a fluke with the ones I have. Now I know. Thank you again.

 

Yep, near same thing happened to mine, except they refused to replace #2 saying only the original CSF Radiator was covered by their "lifetime" warranty. Proved to be GARBAGE Chinesium crap..

However, they need not be scrapped, any competent Radiator shop can repair the leak(s). I eventually took both to my local preferred shop, Superior Radiator in Mt. Clemens, MI (family owned & operated and neighbors of my Mom, they do customs, racing and classic car applications), and talked it over with one of the owners. Charlie said they all end up as leakers and they had somebody else's CSF sitting on the floor by the door for repairs as well. They did an inspection, welded the leak and any spots they deemed to thin, and told me do NOT run Dex-cool, too corrosive for all aluminum radiators, use the yellow stuff. No issues with the old #1 after that. Also had the #2 repaired for a spare.

 

Hello Doc Olds,

Thank you for the reply. I am using Dexi-cool. I will flush it out and replace it with the yellow type of antifreeze.
I would have never guessed antifreeze would be corrosive to aluminum. We need to get back to made in USA.

Thanks again,

Papa Wheelie

 

So what I'm surmising here is that these after market Alum. radiators aren't any good or at least for this particular brand.
Not sure what I have, but do add coolant every now and then, even though I'm not seeing any leaks in the garage.
This vehicle isn't used much and always for short runs.
Now did I read somewhere about a super stop leak that works wonders???

 

No, there are Aluminum Radiators that are solid quality replacements. The take away is that CSF Radiators SUCK!

Go check out a Ron Davis for the H3.

 

I do have alum. now, that came with it, but no idea what it is.
Might it be labeled somewhere?

 

Theoretically each should have a Serial # and Mfg ID, but there is so much foreign made trash for sale on the interweb yours may not depending on what the prior owner installed. Most ID/SN info is on the bottom rear of the tank, but not all.

 

Thanks, I'll take a look.