Cracked open my 19 year old radiator with 159k miles on it

[Nology]

My original radiator was getting a little long in the tooth so I decided it was time for some preventative maintenance. My 02 has 159k on it, however, it did have regular coolant flushes so I wasn't that nervous about the possibility of a pink milkshake disaster. After changing out the radiator I took the bottom half off and I'll let the photos speak for themselves. The crusty stuff is from me prying back the tabs to pull the end cap off.

 

[sleepydad]

looks like factory fresh. to me radiators are cheap and easy to swap out. super low cost of piece of mind. I would agree I think that rad looks fine to keep going, but maybe not now?

 

[shadow247]

looks like factory fresh. to me radiators are cheap and easy to swap out. super low cost of piece of mind. I would agree I think that rad looks fine to keep going, but maybe not now?

I imagine my 200k rad looks about the same inside. The PO flushed every 36k. My concern is the browning of the tanks. That indicates plastic breaking down. I'm going to be replacing my 200k rad in the next few weeks. I need to take it out to run some wiring for my rock lights cleanly, so I might as well replace it....

 

[JZiggy]

Yeah the plastic eventually erodes and loses it’s integrity. Doesn’t matter if it’s PA66 or PPA. The plastics (on quality units) are usually designed with a 7 year lifespan in mind!!

 

[ocbruin]

My 2001 is factory original with 240k miles on it but regularly flushed it. My 2005 T4R had to be replaced at 140K(but I bought that one at 120K miles on it).

 

[raKnizek]

This is great, thanks. I am going to replace the original on my 01 soon so I will do the same. I have no evidence of regular coolant changes but the timing belt was done by the PO so its been changed at least once!

 

[cruisectrl]

Better safe than sorry! I bought a 2000 Limited last June with 215k on it and promptly blew an 8" crack in the top of the radiator a week later... on a mountain in Big Sur... 5 miles and 3k vertical feet from paved road... A new radiator is way cheaper than an offroad towing adventure. I, unfortunately, required both

 

[photoleif]

hopefully not a hijack. does anyone know offhand if there's a way to determine a radiator's age? i'm thinking no, but thought i'd ask. my '99 needed a lot of TLC in the past two years since i bought it, but the radiator doesn't look decrepit. i flushed coolant once and then did the T-belt to double the fun. i have no repair records from the PO.

 

[phattyduck]

I did that about 4 years ago on my '99 at around 270k miles. No corrosion, but lots of build-up. It had random green coolant most of its life, but at least it was changed a few times.

No signs of impending pink milkshake.

-Charlie