Radiator leaking, worth fixing?

[adamjh3]

Hi, everyone, I've been lurking on here since I got my 4runner back in August. It's a 1994 SR5 V6 3.0L with only one PO. She's got just shy of 180k on her. I'd consider myself pretty much a novice with a wrench. I can follow instructions okay, but if something goes wrong I'm not that great at troubleshooting.

The last owner was a very DIY old guy who seemed to take decent care of the truck maintenance wise.

Unfortunately shortly after I got her I noticed some spots in the drive way, I traced the leak to the radiator, but I had some other issues to take care of that took financial priority, so this has been kind of on the back burner.

I'm ready to tackle this, unfortunately I'm not sure the best route to take. The leak is near the bottom of the radiator on the passenger side facing the back of the truck. There looks to be some pretty good oxidation around the leak so it looks like it's gone on for a while. I'm having to top off the coolant every 2-3k miles (I've done it twice and I've put about 6k on the truck).

Here's what it looks like:

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Where it's leaking from, took this with the camera facing the front of the truck. What is that? A corroded drain plug?

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Looking up at the same location of the last picture. This is the underside of the radiator.

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Same as the first picture, just a little clearer.

So, can this be repaired? If so, how? Would it be more cost effective than just replacing the radiator? I know the latter can be done for 100-200 bucks, and after reading some write ups on here I'd feel comfortable replacing it on my own.

Thanks in advance for the help!

 

[SV_Dude]

I would go ahead and replace the radiator. That rad is already showing its age and you would only be prolonging the inevitable and spending more money in the long run. Replace the rad and be done with it.

 

[4runnin83]

I just put a new radiator in mine in Sep, it was 160 bucks. I would just go that route, its very simple. Drain the radiator, remove tranny lines, hoses, take off fan shroud, unbolt radiator pull it up from the top and install in reverse. This way you know you wont have any coolant issues down the road.

The 3.0 IS VERY SENSITIVE TO OVERHEATING. Its important to keep her cool.

 

[77'911]

Was in a similar situation, except the leak was at the top tank on the rad. Since I've got elderly parents using the 4runner, I opted for a new unit from Toyota(see pic). Tank leaks on these rads are pretty common, especially as they are about 20+ years old now. I would either get the original rad fixed, or get a new factory copper/brass unit.
regards

 

[CodeButcher]

I agree with SV_Dude.

Get it replaced as soon as possible. If your truck overheats it can lead to having replace the Head Gasket. Trust me on this, it's happened to me twice.

You can get a new radiator for about $150-200, depending on where you are. I suggest getting a three row, and stay away from the plastic cap/Aluminum radiator. Though an all aluminum Koyo radiator is $500.

As for replacing the radiator. It's pretty simple, detach the hoses, and drain the radiator. Unclip the lower fan cowling. Remove the 4 bolts that hold the radiator to the frame, not the four bolt that hold the fan cowling to the radiator. Then pull the radiator straight up. Then transfer the cowling to the new radiator, and install in reverse. Don't forget to re-fill with coolant afterwards.

 

[fourwd1]

It looks like there is a plug where the drain petcock should be.
If it is, maybe be it''s just loose, causing a leak.
Might be worth checking out before dropping a few hundred $ on a replacement.

 

[adamjh3]

Thanks for the replies everyone!

I suppose I should mention that the rest of the radiator looks like it's in really good shape, it's just this one area that looks bad. It's very clean. The fan and fan shroud also looks really good, so I have a sneaking suspicion that the PO might have changed everything a few thousand miles before selling it. Do the opinions of replacing it still stand?

It looks like there is a plug where the drain petcock should be.
If it is, maybe be it''s just loose, causing a leak.
Might be worth checking out before dropping a few hundred $ on a replacement.

Thanks, I haven't really messed with the area too much yet for fear of having to make an emergency replacement if I screw something up. Do you think I can try and pull the plug and replace it with the radiator still attached to the truck? Or should I pull the radiator from the truck first?

 

[ToyoTech]

there shouldnt be any corrosion if it was fill correctly with the right fluids. looks like you have possible green coolant and water mix with too much water.
if you do fix the leak and possible be loose plug, i would flush the system and fill it correctly with toyota coolant. also make sure your grounds are good and clean. otherwise look at getting a replacement radiator. i have replaced a ton of radiators for my vehicles including friends and family with aftermarket units with no problems. the oem radiator is $$ and even with my discount is not worth it to me.

 

[CodeButcher]

Thanks for the replies everyone!

I suppose I should mention that the rest of the radiator looks like it's in really good shape, it's just this one area that looks bad. It's very clean. The fan and fan shroud also looks really good, so I have a sneaking suspicion that the PO might have changed everything a few thousand miles before selling it. Do the opinions of replacing it still stand?


Thanks, I haven't really messed with the area too much yet for fear of having to make an emergency replacement if I screw something up. Do you think I can try and pull the plug and replace it with the radiator still attached to the truck? Or should I pull the radiator from the truck first?

Here is similar thread about a month ago. http://www.toyota-4runner.org/classic-t4rs/127094-repair-replace-radiator.html

If you think you don't have any other leaks, you might be able to get it fixed. If you know a radiator shop, maybe they can fit a new bung and petcock. The bad news is you will have to remove the radiator to take to the shop and they will probably charge you $50 to $75. For $160 at you local NAPA store you can get a new radiator. If you forget to fill your radiator, it might cost you more.

 

[adamjh3]

I took it to a radiator shop that does free diagnostics today and they confirmed that this is a csf radiator. They also said the petcock broke off and needs to be replaced. Then they quoted me $250 for that with a fluid flush and replace.

So naturally, after an outrageous quote like that I had to politely tell them I needed time to mull it over.

Looks like I've got my weekend project laid out for me. Thanks for all the help everyone!

 

[ToyoTech]

looking at 160-180 shipped or picked up for a radiator plus $20 or so for toyota oem coolant *recommend* about an hour or so to replace on your own

 

[CodeButcher]

I paid close to $35 for Toyota Coolant at the dealer, a few months ago.

 

[Mutant]

I would go ahead and replace the radiator. That rad is already showing its age and you would only be prolonging the inevitable and spending more money in the long run. Replace the rad and be done with it.

Yes I second this. Super cheap fix to just replace radiator now rather than wait for more serious problems!