Spencer_P

I was under the impression that Spectra was no longer making radiators but on AutoZone's website the Duralast appears to still be a Spectra. The only labeling on the radiator is LMAA0422. How can I tell if it is a Spectra or not?
Thanks in advance!

Ralph77

I think I am the one that started this rumor. LOL.
Which might be true.
I noticed at my store that the line code had changed for the radiator for my '00.
Usually a line code change means a new supplier.
So I asked the owner and he was under the impression that is was and that Spectra no longer manufactures the radiator.
Operative words being "under the impression". LOL.
If I had to guess cause of the part number change that it is not a Spectra.
But then auto parts stores just change part numbers too sometimes so...
Going to the Spectra site was not really any help.
They look like they still make it. Apparently Spectra is a Canadian company.

https://ecat.spectrapremium.com/products/CU1193

https://www.spectrapremium.com/en/contact

And when I installed it 8 years ago never paid enough attention to see if there were any identifying marks on it.
I just bought a radiator and then found out it was most likely a Spectra and that it was the preferred brand.
Just dumb luck to be frank.
But it does still show up on the Amazon site so...


And that looks like a really good price too IMO.
I know none of this really helps but it is all I have. LOL.

Spencer_P

The AutoZone picture matches all of the Spectra pictures I have seen and the part numbers seem to match but again nothing on the radiator itself that I'm seeing.
I did see that Amazon had them cheaper but I had heard the warranty was a pain to do through Amazon.
I got it for $113 shipped to me through AutoZone.

Saudade

The warranty on Amazon is usually directly with the manufacturer. While I have some "opportunity" to use this, I have had some issues in the past. In one case the manufacturer worked only through distributors/retailers so I had to go to one of them to get a replacement.

cpttuna

I got a radiator through autozone(lifetime warranty). My son hit a guardrail and ruined the radiator. Autozone replaced it no questions asked. They just wanted the box so they could wend the damaged one back in it.

BlueRidgeMark

About 6 months ago I replaced the radiator on my Toyota Sienna. Got it from NAPA, and it was a Spectra. Said so right on the label.

Spencer_P

Napa shows the same picture as AutoZone and Spectra on Amazon but lists Reach as the brand.
Hmm, I can order a Spectra on Amazon or take my chances with the lifetime warranty right across the street.

Ralph77

Assuming I am even right about the supplier change thinking you got some old stock.
Cause I want to say I noticed this possible change last year about this time when I had that problem with the anti-freeze leak.
Which was technically the radiator but it just turned out to be that the nut on the lower tranny line had loosened.
And anti-freeze was seeping out behind it cause it was loose. LOL.

I noticed that it said the Reach brand too. Tried to figure out who they were but without much success.
I can't speak for other Napa stores but we are pretty easy when it comes to warranty situations.
All we want is the defective part and the box it came in.
And since most people don't have the box cause they threw it out we just use the box the replacement part comes in.

BlueRidgeMark

Could be.