Does my radiator need replacing?

[T4Rscott]

Hi all,

My 4R has almost 217k on it with the original radiator. It has no leaks whatsoever. Should I replace it as part of the timing belt service. How long do these OEMs last usually?

In case anyone wants to know, I did bypass the trans cooler almost 10 years ago. So the pink milkshake is not a worry.

Thanks

 

[T4R2014]

If you are already bypassed then leave it. Does the plastic look brown? That is the only visual indicator of wear you can see with them. If not, then leave it since it will last longer than any of the China/Taiwan garbage you can buy right now. The only exceptions I can see are if you shell out $400 for a legit Japanese OEM or for an all aluminum.

 

[spartacus]

personally I would, it's cheap insurance. there are two toyota radiators.
16410-YZZAJ is like $150. made in Taiwan

16400-75181 is like $330 or so made in Japan
there is after market koyo
also all aluminium champion radiators that require a little fitment.

edit 16400-75181 is for 2001, 2002
oem Japan for 2000 is 16400-75180 replaced by 16410-AZ011

 

[T4R2014]

personally I would, it's cheap insurance. there are two toyota radiators.
16410-YZZAJ is like $150. made in Taiwan

That radiator is pure junk. It will leak from the tank crimps in 3-4 years. OP is better off waiting for the original to fail if he wants to take the risk of unexpected failure.

 

[spartacus]

That radiator is pure junk. It will leak from the tank crimps in 3-4 years. OP is better off waiting for the original to fail if he wants to take the risk of unexpected failure.

I tried to get the Japan oem from Toyota parts deal but got an email saying it's discontinued and they offered me the one made in Taiwan and I installed it. still good after 6 years but my next timing belt change going with an all aluminium.

 

[Dieselchessy]

If the top tank is olive colored and looks like it has hairline cracks then your living on borrowed time.

I’ve had good luck with the autozone spectra premium radiators. $150 and you can inspect it right in the store before you pay.

Can’t wrap my head around why folks would mail order a common radiator. Seems like a good way to receive a broken radiator.

 

[T4Rscott]

If you are already bypassed then leave it. Does the plastic look brown? That is the only visual indicator of wear you can see with them. If not, then leave it since it will last longer than any of the China/Taiwan garbage you can buy right now. The only exceptions I can see are if you shell out $400 for a legit Japanese OEM or for an all aluminum.

It’s not olive, or brown. It’s still black and has only a slight corrosion on the crimps and brackets. I would rather not spend the money if I don’t have to.

 

[T4R2014]

It’s not olive, or brown. It’s still black and has only a slight corrosion on the crimps and brackets. I would rather not spend the money if I don’t have to.

Yeah in salt areas the brackets get rusty at the bottom. As long as the corrosion doesn't affect the crimps you should be fine. If you are diligent to check your oil every week or so you would notice a radiator beginning to leak.

 

[brillo_76]

If the top tank is olive colored and looks like it has hairline cracks then your living on borrowed time.



I’ve had good luck with the autozone spectra premium radiators. $150 and you can inspect it right in the store before you pay.



Can’t wrap my head around why folks would mail order a common radiator. Seems like a good way to receive a broken radiator.

I made that mistake once years ago. I thought my 1990 Camry radiator was copper and is was brown with hairline cracks. So I got the bright idea of getting out my torch to solder it up. Needless to say that's when I realized the top of the radiator was not copper . .

Radiators are a week spot in the 3rd gens. I try to keep a close eye on mine and will replace every 10 years at the most because I use the internal transmission cooler.


Excellent advice from the other users on this thread.

The reason people are mail ordering or shipping them in has to do with the horrible quality of the chain autparts stores radiators.

Too many people over the years have had to replace these radiators with others as half of them leaked when put in. Fell apart putting them in etc. They got tired of doing the job several times because the quality was complete junk.

I just figured I would explain as to why people have them shipped in and only use aluminum or denso replacement radiators.

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[T4Rscott]

I think I’ll give it a good inspection when I pull it for the timing belt. Since it’s not much extra to remove it, and it will give more room to work, I’ll go that route.

 

[brillo_76]

I think I’ll give it a good inspection when I pull it for the timing belt. Since it’s not much extra to remove it, and it will give more room to work, I’ll go that route.

I always pull the rads when replacing the timing belts. That way my impact can remove the crankshaft bolt.

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