How important is radiator replacement?

[sloscheider]

So my new to me 97 v6 4Runner has nearly 190k miles and I have no idea what previous maintenance has been performed. I’ve heard one report that the transmission coolers are known for developing leaks and flooding the tranny with engine coolant with catastrophic results.

Looks like about $200 in parts and supplies and a few hours of my weekend to replace it. Is this truly an issue or should I not worry about it? It’s got plenty of other issues to deal with but it runs well enough for my immediate needs and I’ll work on issues as I can.

 

[SocalRunner15]

If your radiator fails, there is the possibility of it taking out your entire transmission. How does the radiator look? Does it look old and about to crack? There is also the option of routing the transmission to a separate radiator- this would prevent potential damage from happening as well as give the transmission superior cooling. Kits are around 100 dollars or so...

 

[OpenYota]

Just replace it, it's cheap and easy to do.
The flipside is the cooler inside fails and gives you the pink milkshake which I can assure you will make all the other problems your truck has not a big deal

 

[aontkos]

$200 in parts and a few hours of weekend time?

I'd say that's an easier pill to swallow than a new transmission if the integrated cooler fails.

Also, with not knowing the maintenance history of the vehicle, this allows you to catch up on a lot of unknowns. At almost 200k miles, the radiator should be replaced, along with coolant, hoses, radiator cap, etc.

 

[96RedRunner]

Look at radiator top cap color new is black as rad ages it turns brown, more brown more risk.
$200 buys you 200k mi Ins against strawberry milkshake cap cracks oil cooler fail.
If a 97 on original oh hell yes.

 

[jgue467]

Newbie better listen to the experience here....if ya know whats good for ya. And don't forget about Toyota's achilles' heal, the LBJs (failure can easily be catastrophic). Luck.

 

[shadow247]

I would do it asap! I nearly blew up my other 4runner because I let the radiator go! Luckily I was able to limp it home, but it was seeping around the filler neck. Same thing happened on my 99 land cruiser. I went to check the fluid, and when I replaced the cap, it started leaking out of a pinhole that JUST opened up from the twisting.

I would top off your trans with Lucas ATF Conditioner. This is also a good opportunity to go ahead and do a Trans Flush using the cooler lines.

 

[Endlessblockades]

Swapping a radiator is easy - hell, even I did it. The alternative would be to cap and bypass the radiator's cooling tank altogether by installing a dedicated ATF cooling system but doing that took me as long as the radiator swap if memory serves (I have both). You'll probably spend the same amount, too. In any event, the radiator is right up there with the LBJs as must-do preventative maintenance. Everything else can wait.

 

[bdjcl]

I replaced mine around 210k as a peace of mind thing.

 

[sloscheider]

Okay! I’ll get the stuff ordered and get er done!

Thanks for all the responses

 

[TheShockerAL]

On my 97 5spd it did not like to idle with the AC blasting in the Phx summer heat so I put the champion all aluminum radiator in it. Runs cool as a cucumber now, even climbing hills.

On my 01 I was worried about the dreaded pinkie, so I put in the Champion rad and bypassed the trans cooler completely with a remote trans cooler kit. (Whatever the equivalent to OEM is).

On my 02 Sport it wasn't lifted like the others so I put a new Denso in it and installed the remote trans cooler bypassing the radiators cooler.

 

[MCgrease08]

I know I'm on borrowed time with mine. I have a '97 and just crossed over 290,000 miles with the original radiator. It's on the to do list come spring time, along with a new timing belt.

 

[Endlessblockades]

I know I'm on borrowed time with mine. I have a '97 and just crossed over 290,000 miles with the original radiator. It's on the to do list come spring time, along with a new timing belt.

Gotta give credit to that 27 year old Japanese plastic, but it's time to stop trusting it!