Certified Automotive Parts Association (CAPA) Executive Director Jack Gillis announced that CAPA is establishing a new certification standard to address the quality of aftermarket cooling parts. The new standard will include radiators, condensers, cooling fans and fan shrouds.
In response to industry input, CAPA evaluated OEM and independently manufactured radiators, and the results indicated that a majority of independently produced radiators were not comparable to their OEM counterparts.
“There is wide-ranging variability in the performance of important radiator functions,” said Debbie Klouser, CAPA’s director of operations. “By establishing a CAPA Standard specifically for cooling parts, the industry will have the means to identify independently produced parts of the highest quality.”
To establish the requirements of the new standard, CAPA says it’s collaborating with a variety of technical experts. The standard will compare critical performance elements such as:
• leak resistance
• pressure and flow
• pressure cycle durability
• corrosion resistance
• general construction
• heat transfer characteristics
Major manufacturers of cooling parts have already expressed their interest in participating in the CAPA Standard development process, CAPA says.
The CAPA Technical Committee, which includes representatives from all affected industry segments, including part distributors, collision repairers, manufacturers and other industry experts, is the body responsible for the approval of all new CAPA Standards. CAPA expects to complete the Cooling Parts Standard prior to the end of the year.
“Cooling parts such as radiators are dynamic and can be more complex than other collision repair parts such as hoods or fenders. However, just like hoods and fenders, shops and consumers cannot make an informed decision about the quality of these parts simply by looking at them," said Bob Anderson of Anderson’s Automotive Services and chairman of the CAPA Board of Directors. "This is why CAPA Certification has been an asset to the industry for nearly 25 years, and why CAPA is developing another new standard.”
More information:
Certified Automotive Parts Association
