Damaged radiator - liability?

vwboomer · June 12, 2009, 03:29:25 PM

I'm pretty sure the answer is no, but I ought to ask. I was out riding today - the specifics are on my gps - and hit a pothole on a county road. It was severe enough that at the stop sign I checked the front wheel for damage. No visible deformity. I continue riding about 20 miles and stop to check for messages. At which point I noticed my brand new leathers have coolant running down the right leg.

The leak is directly under the right side mounting tab for the radiator, so all I can figure is it jarred it enough that it seperated a fin or something under the tab.

Do I have any recourse? I marked the spot on my GPS so I know within 1000 feet of where it was. I may be able to get it soldered but the downtime sucks with 2 weeks off coming up and if it's not repairable i'm out 500

Spidey · June 12, 2009, 03:35:18 PM

Recourse against whom?

JBubble · June 12, 2009, 03:41:59 PM

Some cities have paid the cost of repairing wheel damage due to pot holes (ie NYC). Howie has used this I believe.

But I think it depends on the city.

Might wanna check in your local area.

abby normal · June 12, 2009, 03:53:48 PM

make sure its not the cap. my S4R cap leaked after 3 years and i ended up with
similar symptoms.

Pedro-bot · June 12, 2009, 04:19:34 PM

Some municipalities can be held liable if the pothole had been previously reported as a road hazard. A good radiator shop should be able to repair it if it's not too bad. Also would be easier than taking legal action.

vwboomer · June 12, 2009, 11:25:43 PM

Quote from: abby normal on June 12, 2009, 03:53:48 PM
make sure its not the cap. my S4R cap leaked after 3 years and i ended up with
similar symptoms.

Def not the cap, I watched it squirt out under the right hand tab the whole way home (under no throttle). I'll start disassembly tomorrow and take it somewhere. I'm sure fighting The Man would be pointless.

Howie · June 13, 2009, 06:55:58 AM

Yes, Howie has used this. Although we believe you, VW, I think getting the city (assuming they are liable) to believe you will be rough. Bent wheel/pothole, no brainer. Radiator/pothole how?

vwboomer · June 13, 2009, 07:51:17 AM

Quote from: howie on June 13, 2009, 06:55:58 AM
Yes, Howie has used this. Although we believe you, VW, I think getting the city (assuming they are liable) to believe you will be rough. Bent wheel/pothole, no brainer. Radiator/pothole how?

Imagine my surprise when I couldn't find a single rock hit or broken fin! Took me about 40 minutes of riding to ponder it out.

vwboomer · June 13, 2009, 03:19:30 PM

$1600 for a make the beast with two backsing radiator!

I pulled it off and even tilting it everywhich way, I can't see anything. I'm guessing a shop can pressurize it to pinpoint the leak.

Popeye the Sailor · June 13, 2009, 03:37:03 PM

Quote from: vwboomer on June 13, 2009, 03:19:30 PM
$1600 for a make the beast with two backsing radiator!

I pulled it off and even tilting it everywhich way, I can't see anything. I'm guessing a shop can pressurize it to pinpoint the leak.

A good radiator shop should be able to fix it.

Finding a good radiator shop, is growing increasingly difficult.

superjohn · June 13, 2009, 03:47:38 PM

I've never had any luck at getting any sort of municipal compensation, but I did get a road hazard fixed the week I cut down 2 tires on it.

aaronb · June 13, 2009, 10:37:41 PM

aren't the mounting tabs aluminum, welded to the aluminum core? assuming there is a small tear at the weld, a good welder should be able to fix that up in ten minutes.

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Damaged radiator - liability?

JBubble