Radiator Replacement Advice

[Luciendar21]

About to replace my radiator, is there anything I should know before I do?

I think I've decided to use the TYC rebranded Koyo radiator after researching this thread.

From what I gleaned from that thread, TYC (Koyo) is the best quality replacement radiator and also the cheapest replacement option ($91 on Amazon). The Toyota (NipponDenso) radiator may be of slightly better quality, but is also much more expensive ($250 at Amazon).

I think I'm going to opt-out of separating the transmission cooler due to cost, although it is highly recommended. I am open to arguments on this front.

Is there anything else I should consider replacing as part of this process? Thermostat? Seals somewhere? Hoses? Mounts?

Thank you in advance for your input.

 

[shahsmerdis]

the Denso on amazon got better reviews, it was pretty straight forward. Look very similar to OEM. packaging was pretty terrible. I had problems with TYC in the past but that was for replacement lighting.

The oem is 200 dollars if you look on toyota dealers websites. Or buy with discover, and price match if you can find something with free shipping.

you could get a lower rad hose and clip, mine was in bad shape if you are in salt belt.

You might want to get a spill free funnel, that really helpped me out. Also if you have a vacuum pump, vacuum test the transmission cooler for any leaks I tighten my 5-10 degrees before putting it on.

 

[JayRolla]

I recommend doing thermostat, making sure jiggle valve is clocked correctly, fully flushing and filling with Toyota Red or Zerex Asian.

 

[StreetCreeper]

About to replace my radiator, is there anything I should know before I do?

I think I've decided to use the TYC rebranded Koyo radiator after researching this thread.

From what I gleaned from that thread, TYC (Koyo) is the best quality replacement radiator and also the cheapest replacement option ($91 on Amazon). The Toyota (NipponDenso) radiator may be of slightly better quality, but is also much more expensive ($250 at Amazon).

I think I'm going to opt-out of separating the transmission cooler due to cost, although it is highly recommended. I am open to arguments on this front.

Is there anything else I should consider replacing as part of this process? Thermostat? Seals somewhere? Hoses? Mounts?

Thank you in advance for your input.

I'm replacing mine right now. Just came in for lunch, then I'll finish up.

I replaced the fan clutch yesterday, ($100 OEM Aisin on Amazon) and today I'm replacing the radiator with a Spectra CU1998 which was $103 out the door with 30% off online order but in-store pickup from Pep Boys. I figure if there is an issue, I can take it right to the store and get a replacement. No screwing around with return shipping crap for me.

While I have the radiator out, I'm replacing the thermostat with an OEM Toyota thermostat and OEM Toyota thermostat gasket. Also replacing upper & lower coolant hoses as well as the resi overflow hose. All OEM Toyota parts. Oh and an OEM Toyota radiator cap too.

Got all the parts minus the thermostat gasket and the radiator from Amazon. With Amazon Prime, I got it all in two days and for less than it would cost from CamelBack Toyota parts.

 

[mtbtim]

I chose to go with an OEM radiator from Camelback. I can't remember the exact cost, but it wasn't $250. It was closer to $200. I decided to spend the extra money on OEM due to a suggestion from somebody on the forum who has seen the quality difference between the Koyo and OEM. At the same time, I replaced my lower radiator hose and thermostat. I already had recently replaced my upper hose. The thermostat jiggle valve should be at the 6 O'clock position.

If your coolant is currently Toyota Red, just stick with it. If your vehicle is currently using Preston green type coolant, I'd just stick with that instead of going through the complete flush to switch to Toyota Red.

Here's a video you can use as a reference to replace the radiator and thermostat.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2nVbwe2t2T8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Luciendar21]

If your coolant is currently Toyota Red, just stick with it. If your vehicle is currently using Preston green type coolant, I'd just stick with that instead of going through the complete flush to switch to Toyota Red.

My coolant is currently Distilled-Water Clear-Type.

It started leaking a few weeks back, my wife had to drive to her place (80mi away), to-and-from school for a week, and then back home. She may have even mixed some Green-Type into the existing Red-Type coolant, but it's been coming out rather quickly, we're now about 3 gallons into distilled water only, although the coolant tank still has a fairly strong red tinge to it.

It's interesting to note that with the 4runner sitting in the driveway for the past week, the coolant tank is still full of water. The radiator is definitely leaking though, it is wet where the aluminum meets the plastic and if you wipe it down it gets damp within 5 minutes or so (sitting). I haven't really driven it much to see how bad the leak gets while driving, but based on my wife running it nearly dry about 3/4 of the way home (60mi), I'd say the leak is fairly fast once up to temperature.

I might try to tackle the radiator replacement myself. Hopefully the mounts aren't too corroded. Thanks for the video!

I've got new daystar leveling pucks to install too, if I'm really ambitious I might do both myself and then get an alignment with some new tires.

 

[mtbtim]

My coolant is currently Distilled-Water Clear-Type.

It started leaking a few weeks back, my wife had to drive to her place (80mi away), to-and-from school for a week, and then back home. She may have even mixed some Green-Type into the existing Red-Type coolant, but it's been coming out rather quickly, we're now about 3 gallons into distilled water only, although the coolant tank still has a fairly strong red tinge to it.

It's interesting to note that with the 4runner sitting in the driveway for the past week, the coolant tank is still full of water. The radiator is definitely leaking though, it is wet where the aluminum meets the plastic and if you wipe it down it gets damp within 5 minutes or so (sitting). I haven't really driven it much to see how bad the leak gets while driving, but based on my wife running it nearly dry about 3/4 of the way home (60mi), I'd say the leak is fairly fast once up to temperature.

I might try to tackle the radiator replacement myself. Hopefully the mounts aren't too corroded. Thanks for the video!

I've got new daystar leveling pucks to install too, if I'm really ambitious I might do both myself and then get an alignment with some new tires.

Replacing a radiator on our rigs is very straight forward. Disconnecting the hoses (Radiator and Transmission Cooler) might fight you a bit but it's just 4 bolts to remove the radiator. The grills clips are simple to disconnect also. Just watch the pertinent parts of the video I supplied you and you'll be fine and you'll save yourself some coin.

 

[Luciendar21]

So, now that I've definitely decided to do this myself, the question remains what do I buy.

Do I buy a TYC and return it (Amazon Prime) if it isn't a Koyo box?

Do I buy a Denso? Admittedly I trust the Denso brand and put a lot of Denso parts into my WRX.

Do I spend twice as much to buy Toyota branded?

and lastly: Do I buy hoses and thermostat while I'm at it?

Also a question from the video, I don't have a torque wrench. How important is it to torque the bolts holding the radiator (8.7ft-lbs/104 in-lbs)? It doesn't seem that important to me, not enough to buy a torque wrench.

 

[mtbtim]

So, now that I've definitely decided to do this myself, the question remains what do I buy.

Do I buy a TYC and return it (Amazon Prime) if it isn't a Koyo box?

Do I buy a Denso? Admittedly I trust the Denso brand and put a lot of Denso parts into my WRX.

Do I spend twice as much to buy Toyota branded?

and lastly: Do I buy hoses and thermostat while I'm at it?

Also a question from the video, I don't have a torque wrench. How important is it to torque the bolts holding the radiator (8.7ft-lbs/104 in-lbs)? It doesn't seem that important to me, not enough to buy a torque wrench.

Well, for me, a hundred extra bucks for a better quality radiator was worth it since I plan on keeping my truck until it implodes. Definitely buy the upper and lower radiator hoses and replace the thermostat because you already have to drain the coolant and remove the hoses to get the new radiator in. Taking the elbow off that the thermostat sits behind is easy to remove.

As for torque specs, I've been wrenching on things since I was a kid and I'm now 50 yrs old. This year was the first time I ever bought a torque wrench and now I own three. The torque values for the radiator bolts aren't very important. Just tighten them enough so they don't loosen up and fall out. If you're tightening a small bolt, use a small wrench. If you're tightening a larger bolt or nut, use a bigger wrench. If you understand mechanical advantage with tools, you'll know when something is tight enough. The torque specs for the nuts that hold the thermostat elbow on are a little more crucial because you could get a leak if you under-tighten, but if you tighten them down evenly and cinch them down enough, you'll be fine.

 

[Luciendar21]

Then I'll leave my torque wrench buying for something more critical.

I can see where they'd help for gaskets with many bolts, like an oil pan, trans pan, or valve cover, but even then I feel you can get away without it. I've always told myself the time to buy a torque wrench is when I get inside the engine or trans or when the gasket is going to be under real pressure (exhaust/head gaskets, bolts for cam, valves, timing, etc.).

Thanks for all the help.

 

[Luciendar21]

So I ordered parts to perform this job:

• Denso 221-0508 Radiator
• Toyota 16571-62070 Upper Coolant Hose
• Toyota 16572-62090 Lower Coolant Hose
• Toyota 90916-03075 Thermostat

As I partially expected from the video, the Thermostat didn't come with a Gasket/O-Ring. In reading the reviews regarding O-Rings, it seems there is some quality difference between the Toyota/OEM gaskets and the Fel-Pro 35445 that is available on Amazon. Should I be getting a specific brand O-Ring for this application?

The other thing I didn't get is new hose clamps. Is there a specific hose clamp or type of hose clamp I should order?

Anything else you can think of that I should have on hand before I start this project and open her up?

 

[JRZEE2000TR4LTD]

So I ordered parts to perform this job:

• Denso 221-0508 Radiator
• Toyota 16571-62070 Upper Coolant Hose
• Toyota 16572-62090 Lower Coolant Hose
• Toyota 90916-03075 Thermostat

As I partially expected from the video, the Thermostat didn't come with a Gasket/O-Ring. In reading the reviews regarding O-Rings, it seems there is some quality difference between the Toyota/OEM gaskets and the Fel-Pro 35445 that is available on Amazon. Should I be getting a specific brand O-Ring for this application?

The other thing I didn't get is new hose clamps. Is there a specific hose clamp or type of hose clamp I should order?

Anything else you can think of that I should have on hand before I start this project and open her up?

This is the gasket. Has a groove inside you slip on the circumference of the thermostat.

Duralast By Felpro/Thermostat Gasket 35445- ReadReviews onDuralast By Felpro #35445

 

[cleanrunner]

one of the easiest replacement jobs ive ever done on any vehicle. definitely put Toyota red back in as your coolant and reuse the spring loaded clamps.

 

[Luciendar21]

one of the easiest replacement jobs ive ever done on any vehicle. definitely put Toyota red back in as your coolant and reuse the spring loaded clamps.

I'm surprised about reusing the clamps, but thanks for the info.

 

[cleanrunner]

I'm surprised about reusing the clamps, but thanks for the info.

sorry i should clarify, if they are in good condition. obviously replace if needed.

 

[mtbtim]

I'm surprised about reusing the clamps, but thanks for the info.

Yes, reusing the clamps is absolutely ok. They can last the life of the vehicle. The OEM gasket for the thermostat is not expensive. I'd just visit your local Toyota dealership and get one. I show the part number in my video.

As for Toyota Red Coolant, I don't buy into the fact you must use it for Toyota engines. Preston Green type coolant is easy to find anywhere you go, and if you renew your coolant on a regular basis, you're cooling system will be fine. My two cents.

 

[Luciendar21]

sorry i should clarify, if they are in good condition. obviously replace if needed.

Any information on part numbers for those clamps or are you simply suggesting I replace with some type of generic clamp?

Based on what I've read, screw type clamps can loosen in high vibration environments and often fail on coolant hoses. T type (bolt type) clamps work very well in all situations, but are more size specific, so I'd need to know what size to get. They are also more expensive. Spring type clamps are the ideal solution as they are both cheap and have few failures around vibration, but again have to be ordered for the right size.

As long as it's affordable, I'd buy a Toyota branded clamp for this application to know it'd fit. Any chance someone can point me to a part number or at least direct me to order a specific size and/or type of clamp?

Otherwise my only option is to go with what I have and if one's in bad shape, to see how well the local Napa can help me.

Yes, reusing the clamps is absolutely ok. They can last the life of the vehicle. The OEM gasket for the thermostat is not expensive. I'd just visit your local Toyota dealership and get one. I show the part number in my video.

As for Toyota Red Coolant, I don't buy into the fact you must use it for Toyota engines. Preston Green type coolant is easy to find anywhere you go, and if you renew your coolant on a regular basis, you're cooling system will be fine. My two cents.

The nearest Toyota dealership is over an hour away. I bought the Fel-Pro gasket already.

 

[Luciendar21]

So I picked up some Shell Rotella ELC, hopefully this is the right coolant.

Poured in a gallon and the radiator was full, but lo and behold there is a pretty significant leak. The leak seems to be on the transmission return though, which I thought was transmission fluid. Is something wrong with my radiator?

Both fluids are red, but I'm pretty sure it's coolant leaking, it's very thin.

 

[JRZEE2000TR4LTD]

So I picked up some Shell Rotella ELC, hopefully this is the right coolant.

Poured in a gallon and the radiator was full, but lo and behold there is a pretty significant leak. The leak seems to be on the transmission return though, which I thought was transmission fluid. Is something wrong with my radiator?

Both fluids are red, but I'm pretty sure it's coolant leaking, it's very thin.

Did you tighten in the radiator drain? Did it even come with one? Does it leak just when sitting? Be careful that it's not coming from the transmission lines. If they are loose they will leak and possible mix coolant and tranny fluid when you start the truck. If it's significant, should be easy to find

 

[giovannie23]

So I picked up some Shell Rotella ELC, hopefully this is the right coolant.

Poured in a gallon and the radiator was full, but lo and behold there is a pretty significant leak. The leak seems to be on the transmission return though, which I thought was transmission fluid. Is something wrong with my radiator?

Both fluids are red, but I'm pretty sure it's coolant leaking, it's very thin.

Where exactly is it leaking ?
Maybe the hose is not securely on
Red coolant and trans fluid is very similar
Try clamping it down better and go from there