Repair/Replace Radiator

[goatfarmer]

Faced with making a decision whether to repair/replace radiator on 90 T4R with auto trans and power steering. I have average machanical skills, hower, if it is too daunting of a task may have to take to shop but would prefer doing it myself. Aware the upper/lower hoses have to be removed, but does the fan and belts have to come off? Also, appears there are couple lines, assume for cooling trans; if so, is there any special consideration in removing them?

Another option is the leak does not appear to be coming from the core; rather, 2-3 inch hairline opening in the top leading edge of the radiator. Stopped at an auto parts store looking into the cost of the radiator and noticed Permatex makes a radiator repair kit which consist of a 2 stage compound you mix and appy a cost to the effected area then apply fiber glass and finish with another coat of the compound. It's not a major leak, as long as I check water level before leaving I don't have a problem. Any advice-suggestions apprecaited!!

 

[KidVermicious]

I put a JBWeld patch on my radiator and it held for 10 years, but that was when OEM radiators were $250 a pop. They're lots cheaper than that now, I'd get a new one.

And the install is easy, although I can imagine it being slightly intimidating if you're not used to a wrench. You shouldn't need to mess with the fan or belts - drain the radiator, remove the fan shroud, unbolt the old radiator and remove it, install is the reverse. Lots of guys on the board to help if you get lost, save yourself a couple hundred bucks and do it yourself!

 

[Iroke17]

Aluminum radiators on eBay are around 70 bucks

 

[77'911]

We were just there with our 1990 4runner(V6 , auto, 4wd) about 12 months ago. Top tank failures on these copper/brass rads seem to be common as they age(read: 20+ years). To clean out the rad and install a new tank was about $150+ taxes, locally. I decided to go with a brand new factory unit($585), since the old one last so long. Toyota has definitely improved the rad for the truck, the core is more dense and slightly bigger then the old unit. If you go the route of new, I would stay away from aftermarket stuff(plastic/alu rads, made in china, etc..). The core on your old rad is worth at least $25 at recycling, so don't throw it out. Best of luck with the fix.
regards

 

[goatfarmer]

What a dilemma, the 4runner is about to turn 200K and see where the rad's on ebay come with a lifetime warranty for $70, which is lot cheaper than the aftemarket radiator the auto parts store was asking. The 90 is not the families daily driver, don't believe we put more than 5K on her last yr; so for now, likely go the ebay route and order the hoses and cap at the same time. Appreciate the input from all, it does not sound like the project is going to be that involve or labor intensive. Again, thank you, really appreciate it!!.

Opps, went back to ebay site and noticed the $70 rads are single row and for the 4 cyl. application, probly best to research and compare.

 

[fourwd1]

... Aware the upper/lower hoses have to be removed, but does the fan and belts have to come off? Also, appears there are couple lines, assume for cooling trans; if so, is there any special consideration in removing them?

Yo don't have to remove belts or fan, just the shroud and hoses, after draining it first.
The 2 lines at the bottom are for the trans, and you may want to take the opportunity to install a separate trans cooler. You get better cooling for the trans (especially handy if you tow), and if eliminate the possibility of trashing the trans or engine if the cooler in the radiator ruptures and you get coolant and trans fluid mixing.

 

[KidVermicious]

What a dilemma, the 4runner is about to turn 200K and see where the rad's on ebay come with a lifetime warranty for $70, which is lot cheaper than the aftemarket radiator the auto parts store was asking. The 90 is not the families daily driver, don't believe we put more than 5K on her last yr; so for now, likely go the ebay route and order the hoses and cap at the same time. Appreciate the input from all, it does not sound like the project is going to be that involve or labor intensive. Again, thank you, really appreciate it!!.

Opps, went back to ebay site and noticed the $70 rads are single row and for the 4 cyl. application, probly best to research and compare.

If you plan on keeping the truck, I'd go for the better radiator. Buy once, cry once.

 

[4runnin83]

I recently put a new radiator in my 93, took about an hour or so, its not bad of a job at all

You'll get a little messy from the trans fluid lines, but thats the worst of it.

 

[Jonny]

easy task. MAN UP AND DO IT YOURSELF
ok I feel better about myself now jk

It really isn't a hard job. Take your time and have fun burping the system. Not hard..I just did mine 4-5 times to ensure all the air pockets were gone.

 

[mikebontoft]

a friend and I fixed his FJ60's factory radiator with a big soldering iron and a lot of flux. and solder of course. it had cracked right around the hose inlet.

for him, $300 wasn't worth it when we fixed it for really the cost of nothing.

 

[goatfarmer]

Yep, decided this is going to be a 'do it myselfer' . Been calling around shopping for replacement radiator and appears there's bout a $100-$150 difference between the all metal and the alum./plastic variety. Have not decided which route to go, it appears it will require about the same amount of time and labor whether I break out my Oxy/Acel tanks and lay a bead along the seam that appears to be leaking, try the repair kit mentioned earlier, or just replace the radiator. Storms blowing thru in next day or so leaving a short window to make decision, just have to get my head rapped around it and get it done!!.

Again, thank you all for the help!!:hello:

 

[GonOvr]

I love kitty cats so i make sure to leave them a treat after I drain the coolant. I do it behind my fence since I know its poisonous to dogs... so dont go callin PETA on me.

 

[mikebontoft]

don't do the one with plastic... they are in wide use today but sticking plastic to aluminum and exposing it to 220*F water does not make for much longevity

 

[CodeButcher]

I'm all for Factory or OEM parts, but Toyota Radiators are not one of them. The main problem is that the caps (top and bottom covers) are very thin. My 93' develop small fractures where the coolant would leak. I took it out and had it repaired, by an old time radiator guy. He told me after he sealed most of the leaks it's gonna leak again from other places. It's because the stamping of the caps. It's made from a thin brass, when it gets stamped it get stretched, sort of like when you stretch a plastic bag. After a few months it got new fractures and started leaking again, like the old guy said. So I decided to just get a new Aftermarket radiator, for about $200 from NAPA. It's been working great since.

As for replacing the radiator, four bolts holds it in, unless you count the cowling bolts, another four, and two clips for the lower fan shroud. I highly recommend a 3 row instead of two row cooling tubes.

Good Luck!

 

[goatfarmer]

Spoke with NAPA sales person this morning, recommended a replacement radiator he purchased from NAPA for his 90 Toyota and gave it high marks and has item in stock for bout $160.

 

[CodeButcher]

The main cause of blown head gaskets on the 3VZ-E is over heating. Once you overheat the engine, the head gasket is almost sure to go next. It happen to me twice.

$160 sounds like a good price. I forgot the brand of my radiator, but it was made near by my home.

 

[Diverse4runner]

That too the aluminum heads on the 4runner are junk and will warp under extreme heat.

 

[CodeButcher]

That too the aluminum heads on the 4runner are junk and will warp under extreme heat.

The main cause of a blown head gasket is a warped head from overheating. The Driver's side rear cylinder is usually where it's blown.

 

[goatfarmer]

Hopefully did not warp heads yesterday, in returning home I noticed temp gauge pegged and immediatly exited freeway to a side road, and with the aid of large plastic sandwich bag, hicked down a ravine and found a stream; fortunately with a couple of trips, and with plenty of time for the engine to cool, I was back on the road, needless to say I am going to replace the radiator.

 

[CodeButcher]

Hopefully did not warp heads yesterday, in returning home I noticed temp gauge pegged and immediatly exited freeway to a side road, and with the aid of large plastic sandwich bag, hicked down a ravine and found a stream; fortunately with a couple of trips, and plenty of time for the engine to cool, I was back on the road, needless to say I am going to replace the radiator.

You should carry an gallon jug or an empty anti freeze bottle with you always. I got an expandable water container, someone gave me for x-mas. I have not had to use it, yet, but I hope it comes in handy when I need it.