Another post about the crappy quality of the Denso radiators. I bought a Denso replacement from Rock Auto for my wife’s Acura MDX (purchased it before I installed the Denso radiator on my 4Runner). Finally got around to installing it the other week. Much like the 4Runner version, this Denso radiator just felt flimsy and cheap compared to the factory radiator I took out. Her MDX has a transmission cooler in the radiator just like our 4Runners. After I got everything back together, I noticed a steady drip of transmission fluid every time the engine was running. I tightened the fittings on the radiator, but the leak persisted. So I unscrewed the leaky fitting completely (they’re not the press in type fitting like the OE radiator had) and found the a terrible flare on the compression fitting they used. I cut it off and reflared the tubing, and the leaking stopped. This just re-confirms to me the crappy quality of these Denso radiators.

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Where was it made? Taiwan or China?

I have no idea

Most Densos rad have stickers on them or on the box that tells you the mfg location.

The quality of a lot of parts have went down hill in the last 4 or 5 years. Sad times, in the world we live in. Should be options of grades as it definitely worth $100 plus for the better radiator.

Especially for the autos make one internal trans cooler leak proof (just use better materials). In colder climates, its a lot better to run the internal cooler as it heats up your transmission fluid faster when it gets below freezing they serve as a heater /cooler system for the atf fluid.

Too bad nobody makes a copper radiator for the 3rd gens.. Those would be the best. :-) [Probably cost about 1K] which is most likely the reason..:-(

Not my picture, saw this in one of the FB groups. Guy ripped off the upper radiator hose port trying to wiggle the hose off his new Denso radiator. Apparently he put the hose on backwards and was trying to take it back off to flip it around. These Denso radiators are garbage lol.

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Yes the qaulity of parts are going to downhill fast. One would think the radiator would be a bit dtronger then that. Bad plastics..

Damn, and/or the guy was a bit heavyhanded, Glad I sprung for all aluminum.

I really don't blame you if they gotten this bad. I do know the china ones were worse then the Taiwan ones. However, I haven't bought any for a few years so they maybe complete junk now.... Hoping others can give us some current feedback. Maybe this one was a counterfeit one for all we know. Granted never should sale crap like that..

Sure it's garbage, but there's definitely more to that story. I notice the FB group bunch aren't exactly astrophysicists in the making.

Also judging by that data stamp it looks to be from 8/2015. Maybe he got it at a local supplier but I have yet to receive one of these that old. Everything I've gotten from big box suppliers was within the past year.

There is no way that radiator broke like that while just removing a hose. That was dropped on the neck at some point

Agree with the above OR he got a lemon of a unit, sadly. I replaced mine back in 2018 with a Denso rad from the dealer and it's treated me well ever since. I've always been interested in the Koyorad replacements though. Haven't done much research about them.

I bought a Denso rad for my 4th gen from Rockauto a few months back and it's performing flawlessly so far and it fit perfectly.

The OEM made in Japan radiator (pn # 16400-75181) is still available and can attest the quality is as expected.

They are fairly pricey though. Even more than some of the reputable all aluminum units being offered so it's understandably a tough sell now.