2nd Gen Radiator Questsions

[gieberzo]

Greetings. Long time lurker first time poster her. I have a few quick questions about the radiator on my 95 v6 4runner.

A few days ago while driving steam began to shoot out of my hood. I got my truck back home asap and realized that there was a thin crack in top plastic part of my radiator.

I have doen some reading and most people do not recommend trying to repair cracks in plastic, which makes sense. I was just wondering if anyone had any experience with using a product like JB weld.

I realize I will probably need to replace the radiator. Any suggestions on what I should buy? The amount of radiators on the market can be very confusing.

 

[turboSR5]

Welcome!

Any crack in a plastic radiator is just going to keep growing, heat and pressure just has its way with them it seems. If you have a radiator shop in town you might try calling them see if they can replace the cracked part and also get a price on a new one.

 

[gieberzo]

Thanks for the info, and the warm welcome

So I called come local radiator shops and asked them how much it would be to fix. Most of them quoted me at about 100 dollars if I was able to get it out myself(which I have). 100 seems a bit pricey and through my internet searches I have found some pretty good prices on new ones. Some even lower than 100.

I am wondering if any of you guys have any advice on what I should buy and where I would buy it from. A lot of these sites seem a bit sketchy. Also should I go with an all aluminum radiator or should I just get an OEM one with plastic tanks.

Thanks again for the info.

 

[RAYnoodle]

Thanks for the info, and the warm welcome

So I called come local radiator shops and asked them how much it would be to fix. Most of them quoted me at about 100 dollars if I was able to get it out myself(which I have). 100 seems a bit pricey and through my internet searches I have found some pretty good prices on new ones. Some even lower than 100.

I am wondering if any of you guys have any advice on what I should buy and where I would buy it from. A lot of these sites seem a bit sketchy. Also should I go with an all aluminum radiator or should I just get an OEM one with plastic tanks.

Thanks again for the info.

I Just replaced mine on my 93 and i bought it for 100 from a radiator shop. i put it in myself and have had no problems so far. i just dont trust the internet with some things haha.

 

[rjschmitty]

Just replaced mine in a 94, 3.0. Purchased it from Advance Auto for 150.00 It is all metal with no plastic whatsoever. Original bronze/copper developed leaks, patched with JB Weld, another leak would show up and so on!