Newb radiator questions

[Frontier719]

I have a small leak at the bottom of my radiator where one of the tubes connects (bottom passenger side). Looks like the PO tried to patch but it looks sketchy and is the original radiator (205k miles) so I'm looking to replace the whole thing.

My question is probably pretty stupid but here it goes:

I see the radiator and fan shroud assembly and that looks easy enough to remove. But there is another thing in between the grille and radiator that looks like a radiator. What is this? Does this come out when I replace the radiator? Are there any tubes that connect to this that I have to worry about?

Also, after I drain and replace the radiator and top off the transmission fluid, do I fill the reservoir and the radiator? or just the reservoir? In other words, do I put fluid in beneath the metal cap on the radiator or only in the reservoir?

 

[SilverRidgeRunner1]

The other radiator looking device is for your AC and it will stay in place when removing the radiator. You would fill the radiator up first and for most and then place some fluid in the reservoir after everything is said and done.

 

[Frontier719]

The other radiator looking device is for your AC and it will stay in place when removing the radiator. You would fill the radiator up first and for most and then place some fluid in the reservoir after everything is said and done.

How much coolant/trans fluid should I buy to do the job? I think I read 2 gallons of coolant and a quart of transmission fluid is enough to cover it.

Are there any other unexpected things I should expect to break/replace while I'm in there? Tubing, hose clamps, that kind of stuff? I just want to make sure I have everything because I will be immobile while I'm doing the job.

 

[SilverRidgeRunner1]

How much coolant/trans fluid should I buy to do the job? I think I read 2 gallons of coolant and a quart of transmission fluid is enough to cover it.

Are there any other unexpected things I should expect to break/replace while I'm in there? Tubing, hose clamps, that kind of stuff? I just want to make sure I have everything because I will be immobile while I'm doing the job.

That should do it.... I typically go with one gallon coolant and one gallon of water and just adjust levels with water... Trans fluid u shouldn't loose a lot, but some and 1 qt should do it... I try and clamp the lines when i remove the hoses

 

[donkeyhoatie]

Have some zip ties on hand. If I'm remembering right, you'll need to take off your front grille. If any of the clips break, you'll want the zip ties on hand to hold the grille in place.

Also, any water you use when mixing it with your [hopefully Toyota red] coolant should be distilled water.

One quart of transmission fluid should be perfectly fine. Just measure as exactly as you can how much comes out and try to replace that same amount. Add a bit more than you think (an ounce or two), because you're probably not catching all of it.

 

[shadow247]

Have some zip ties on hand. If I'm remembering right, you'll need to take off your front grille. If any of the clips break, you'll want the zip ties on hand to hold the grille in place.

Also, any water you use when mixing it with your [hopefully Toyota red] coolant should be distilled water.

One quart of transmission fluid should be perfectly fine. Just measure as exactly as you can how much comes out and try to replace that same amount. Add a bit more than you think (an ounce or two), because you're probably not catching all of it.

The grille clips can be removed easily without breakage. You must use a small tip #1 screwdriver. Push DOWN on the tab, then work the screwdriver around the clip where it goes into the radiator support.

I have taken my grille off 3 times and not broken 1 clip. You just have to be extra careful.

The impossible clips are the ones that hold the headlight fillers to the fender. You better just buy those if you are planning to take them off for some reason.

 

[SilverRidgeRunner1]

Hmm I must of been pretty lucky not to have to take my grill off when I replaced my Radiator.

 

[Frontier719]

Hmm I must of been pretty lucky not to have to take my grill off when I replaced my Radiator.

I've been staring at it all day thinking of everything that could go wrong or break just incase but I've come to the conclusion with the right tools I might not need to take the grille off.

Regardless, id like to do a Satoshi mod at some point so even if I do break a clip, I'd likely replace them anyway.

 

[jreask]

Hmm I must of been pretty lucky not to have to take my grill off when I replaced my Radiator.

With a 3/8" drive swivel and a long extension, you don't have to remove the grill. I can see that you already know this from experience. It takes a couple more minutes, but it's a lot better than removing the grill clips.
OP--- If you clamp the lower lines coming from the radiator when you take them off, you will only lose a few drops of transmission fluid. Not enough to worry about replacing.

JR

 

[SilverRidgeRunner1]

I've been staring at it all day thinking of everything that could go wrong or break just incase but I've come to the conclusion with the right tools I might not need to take the grille off.

Regardless, id like to do a Satoshi mod at some point so even if I do break a clip, I'd likely replace them anyway.

The worst thing u could do when doing this job is forget to put any fluid back into the sys

 

[SilverRidgeRunner1]

With a 3/8" drive swivel and a long extension, you don't have to remove the grill. I can see that you already know this from experience. It takes a couple more minutes, but it's a lot better than removing the grill clips.
OP--- If you clamp the lower lines coming from the radiator when you take them off, you will only lose a few drops of transmission fluid. Not enough to worry about replacing.

JR

I used a 1/4 drive w/ extension and nice 1/4 drive impact and tapped it a couple times on the trigger and it was effortless after that. :hat: I start small and work my way up in some cases.

 

[donkeyhoatie]

With a 3/8" drive swivel and a long extension, you don't have to remove the grill. I can see that you already know this from experience. It takes a couple more minutes, but it's a lot better than removing the grill clips.
OP--- If you clamp the lower lines coming from the radiator when you take them off, you will only lose a few drops of transmission fluid. Not enough to worry about replacing.

JR

Don't forget that there's still some transmission fluid inside the radiator itself. Not much, but still some.

 

[Frontier719]

Also, any water you use when mixing it with your [hopefully Toyota red] coolant should be distilled water.

I know this topic has been beat to death in other posts but I bought green coolant to do the job.

I had my timing belt and WP done in June and had them flush the coolant system to get rid of some dirt I saw in the bottom of the reservoir. Naturally, on my receipt it said they refilled it with "Toyota Red" but the coolant in there now is green as grass. I've driven across the country 3 times and put over 15,000 miles on it since then and haven't had any issues.

A lot of info I found is that back in the '90s, there was a difference between the greens and the red, but now, not so much. Is it safer to put the red in? sure. Is it likely that the green will harm it? probably not.

I think above all, consistently changing your fluids will be more preventative than the composition of your coolant.

 

[Frontier719]

What did the PO do? It looks like there was a leak and they put some kind of glue over it? Or it's a coolant stalactite. Ha.

I got a spectra radiator to replace this one. Anyone have experience with spectra?

 

[JayRolla]

What did the PO do? It looks like there was a leak and they put some kind of glue over it? Or it's a coolant stalactite. Ha.

I got a spectra radiator to replace this one. Anyone have experience with spectra?

JB weld? Get that thing out of there. Replace radiator with oem or oem quality and do the cooler bypass.