My radiator has been spitting fluid recently. It has been extremely hot in SE NC and seems to happen on days i dont even use it. I recently did the trans cooler, so thought it was leaking from the bottom where i disconnected the trans hoses and avoided a pink milkshake. However the hoses are secured tightly where i put them (i connected the two just in case it wanted to bust i wouldn lose all he coolant). So i havent driven in a week, just to see what would happen, and the refilled colant is now gone, but theres not a huge spill under the car. The garage smells lke a cat pissed everywhere though, so it is escaping to somewhere, possibly just coating everything underneath and evaporating, since it isnt even pooled up in the skid plate. Ill include pic of it in action, where you can see water (ill drain it all later when i figure out where its leaking, just to avoid the expense and smell of coolant) seeming to pool up on the top front portion of the radiator, just below the plastic section. Other than that, i cant seem to find any leaks. Anyone care to comment on what could be happening?
Radiator leak?
- Thread starter Cwm
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stir_fry_boy
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mckennar
New member
Your top tank split in the same exact location as mine. You can see it in the picture you posted. I'll edit this post with a link to mine as well as a circle on the pic you posted to indicate where you can see it.
Edit 1: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/222674-top-radiator-tank-split.html
Edit 2:
Edit 1: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/222674-top-radiator-tank-split.html
Edit 2:
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GangsterOfLove
New member
That's what mine looked like before I replaced the radiator. The top seam had a small leak and the fan threw coolant all over the place.
Your top tank split in the same exact location as mine. You can see it in the picture you posted. I'll edit this post with a link to mine as well as a circle on the pic you posted to indicate where you can see it.
Edit 1: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/222674-top-radiator-tank-split.html
Edit 2:
Thats exactly where it is coming from. I squeezed the top tube a few times and the fluid leaked out of that spot every time. Is this a common thing and can it be replaced or is this a new radiator situation?
mckennar
New member
I can't say it is common but it happened to me and at least three other people between here and yotatech. So maybe there's something to it?
But I digress, to answer your question: I can't recommend attempting to fix it unless you run a radiator shop and know how to replace only the tanks. Best bet is to get a replacement (some have had very short term luck w/JB weld but I do not recommend it).
What kind of replacement you get is on you, I had luck w/Denso but many others haven't been as lucky (packaging sucks, fins and tanks sometimes get damaged in transit). Koyorad seems to be what most here on this board recommend. Price difference between Denso and Koyo is ~$30 with the Koyo being more expensive.
Note that the Denso that I bought is a Taiwanese aftermarket part, not the Japanese / Nippon Denso most think it is.
In a pinch a used radiator may work, but I'd strongly suggest holding out (if you can) and ordering a replacement if you're a DIY'er. Or going to a shop if you're not.
Either way, do some searching on this forum and decide which of the above courses of action best suits your situation.
Good luck!
Toyota of Dallas shows $208 for a replacement.
http://parts.toyotaofdallas.com/toy...-and-components-scat/?part_name=radiator-assy
Amazon has a denso for $102 ish.
https://www.amazon.com/Denso-221-05...001804&sr=8-1&keywords=denso+4runner+radiator
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StreetCreeper
New member
Dude you need to replace that radiator ASAP. That is not a repairable part (I'm sure it can be done but it really shouldn't be ) Just go down to your local Pep Boys or Auto Zone and pick up a Spectra brand radiator. Should be about $100-$150 out the door. If there is a problem with it, just take it back and get a new one. I'm very happy with mine.
I honestly don't understand why people want to order radiators online. Especially when they really aren't saving much ( if any ) money AND they know the radiator is going to be improperly packaged with a high likelyhood of damage. If it is damaged, you have to send it back and wait for another that will most likely be improperly packaged again and possibly damaged as well.
Save yourself a headache and go buy a Spectra locally and rest easy in the idea that you aren't going to be stuck some busted-ass Amazon radiator. I ordered my Spectra from Pep Boys online and got a 30% discount. I did this in the Pep Boys parking lot; I waited about 15 minutes then walked inside in picked it up. $103 out the door.
Here's a pic of the Spectra I put in mine. No crappy packaging, no bent fins, no damage at all, no problems period.
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mckennar
New member
On another vehicle, yes.
Pros: it was inexpensive, had a lifetime warranty, was readily available, cooled adequately.
Cons: I had to use the lifetime warranty twice within the first year. First time was the "fingers" that hold the core to the end tank split, second was the "welded plastic" secondary fan thermoswitch housing popped off.
The 3rd radiator lasted until I sold the car 4 years and almost 80k miles later.
I *think* I got a bad batch with the first two, because the 3rd looked brand new after 4 years when I sold the car.
But that's just one anecdote. I'm sure others will pop in with their experiences.
Whatever you decide, it'll be better than what you have right now.
Failed to update at the time, but at least i can comment on what has happened in the last 6 months.
I got the AutoZone house brand radiator to avoid shipping woes and costs for about $110.
Total replacement, even with having a separate trans cooling unit mounted on the radiator took about two hours. I have never done a radiator before, they are just surprisingly extremely easy.
I would suggest replacing old rubber hoses and ensuring hose clamps have a socket tightening head as well as the screwdriver head, since the tight spots made one or the other often difficult.
I tried to reuse the lower large radiator hose, and it leaked badly. After fiddling for a while, i got it to stop and I have had zero issues with the "economical" radiator at all. There arent many decent youtube videos for a gen iii radiator, but it was so easy, they werent really even needed so dont feel intimidated by this one.
I got the AutoZone house brand radiator to avoid shipping woes and costs for about $110.
Total replacement, even with having a separate trans cooling unit mounted on the radiator took about two hours. I have never done a radiator before, they are just surprisingly extremely easy.
I would suggest replacing old rubber hoses and ensuring hose clamps have a socket tightening head as well as the screwdriver head, since the tight spots made one or the other often difficult.
I tried to reuse the lower large radiator hose, and it leaked badly. After fiddling for a while, i got it to stop and I have had zero issues with the "economical" radiator at all. There arent many decent youtube videos for a gen iii radiator, but it was so easy, they werent really even needed so dont feel intimidated by this one.
