I know I've read about people putting bad parts in before. Just had my first experience with it. I've been short on time and motivation, so I just got around to putting the radiator in.
I know most are in the opinion of a metal tank, but seriously tight on cash right now. Went for the Optima from Orielly. Get it buttoned up, pour straight coolant concentrate in, starts pouring right back on the ground. Always listen to your gut. Before I installed it, I thought to myself that I should check the draincock to make sure it is tight but it got dark yesterday and forgot when I started again today. So after it stops draining, I reach up in there and it seems like it is tight...Remove the whole rad out, and find that the plastic tank is cracked right at the plug. Looks like someone dropped it on the plug at the factory.
Side note, it didn't fit anyway, there were two extra receptors for the fan shroud tabs that prevented the shroud from dropping into place that I had to hacksaw out. So I go to Napa, buy a Spectra for a few extra bucks. Looks like much better construction and the oil fittings are already installed.
Take the Optima back to Orielly on 38th and Federal. They, like always, have the music cranked. I like loud music, but time and place people. While I was standing there waiting, employee says to a customer on the phone "What, I can't hear you?" No kidding.
So I get my turn, and Sergio gives me a bunch of grief about the whole thing. No apology for selling a broken part, wasting my time driving back and forth, and the extra couple hours to do the job twice. Says if I want to get reimbursed for the coolant, I'll have to come back and talk to a manager. Yeah, I'll be doing that, as well as talking to the district manager. Not my first bad experience at this store. And people wonder why they can't find jobs. Just how smart do you have to be to not piss someone off while working a counter?
