Radiator replacement

[ryani]

I was going to do a timing belt and water pump replacement and was wondering for cheap insurance replacing the radiator. Mines a 98 with 101000 miles and for a piece of mind just replace the radiator so I don't get the pink milkshake or doom. A oem radiator is a touch under 200 shipped and an aftermarket tranny cooler isn't much less. Would just make sense because you'll have the rad drained and it would be easier to do without the rad in the way.

 

[004Gunner]

IMO this is definitely not needed. Do you have a reason to think the radiator might need to be replaced? $200 seems like a lot to spend for no apparent reason. The aftermarket trans cooler would be a great upgrade though

 

[JeremyH]

Yeah, I wouldnt replace the radiator either. I would simply flush the radiator and replace the lines (upper and lower), then install fresh fluid. Your stock radiator should last you quite a bit longer....mine has 207K mi on the ticker.

 

[ryani]

Thanks guys for the info. What kind of anti freeze are you guys using when you do the flush?

 

[JeremyH]

Thanks guys for the info. What kind of anti freeze are you guys using when you do the flush?

It doesnt matter what kind you use, as long as you don't mix different types (ethylene and propylene glycol) of coolant. Personally, I use the green stuff (Prestone), but I perform a complete flush every year on my vehicles. I will drain the AF out, then fill with DI water, run it then drain it again. Repeat the process until the water is clear. Then I fill with the new coolant. This process will ensure that your coolant is completely removed from the block (which is not done with a simple drain and fill).

 

[ryani]

That sounds good. I've switched out all my previous vehicles and motorcycles to the Universal yellow. I can get it in bulk from mechanic friend. They switch out all the vehicles that come through with it. I'll do a complete drain and flush and start running yellow.

 

[004Gunner]

I have flushes done every 30k miles or so with the regular green stuff. I just did a drain and fill with my t-belt change though, otherwise I prefer having someone flush it for me.

 

[LINY4Runner]

Thanks guys for the info. What kind of anti freeze are you guys using when you do the flush?

As a Toyota tech, I would recommend nothing but genuine Toyota RED coolant. I've seen bad things happen to Toyotas with regular green coolant in there, but I also know of alot of people in here who only use the green coolant.

It's up to you, but I use genuine Toyota coolant.

 

[daugherty83]

I recently had to replace my radiator with an aftermarket, as well as a major tranny flushing after the in-radiator tranny cooler burst and gave me the pink milkshake of doom. Used around 30 gallons of tranny fluid to flush. My truck has around 166,000 on it, but was used mainly in Cleveland OH, so had plenty of rust in and around the tranny return lines and whatnot. Was not good, and almost thought I was going to need to replace a tranny. Cheap insurance in my opinion.

 

[ryani]

That's kind of what I thought. 180 dollars while the truck is all apart anyway or who knows how much a new or remanufactured tranny is. I think I will get one and put it in while the timing belt is being replaced. Then the tranny and I can have piece of mind that I wont be having a Pink milkshake on the side of the road someday.

 

[BTO]

Can the tranny cooler be separated from the radiator by installing an external tranny cooler?

 

[LK1]

I have a 98 Limited with 116K on it. I replaced the radiator as a preventative measure and changed all the fluids in the differentials and transfer case at the same time.

Depending on when your tranny was flushed you might want to do a regular drain and fill with ATF.

Don't forget to change the thermostat at the same time and inspect your rear heater lines for corrosion or you'll lose all your new coolant.

 

[ryani]

Thanks for the tips. I might as well do all the fluids at the same time. Just get it all done while its in the shop. That's a very good idea. Less headache this summer when I mant to be out in my 4runner not working on it.