Who's replaced their radiator?

[whipkiller]

Whose bright idea was it to make radiators out of PLASTIC?!

Who's replaced 'em? did you just put in a direct replacement or upgrade to a real (metal) one?

Where's the best source and what's a good price?

Mine hasn't failed yet, but my guy told me it's getting dis-colored and should be replaced sooner than later.

 

[T4R_Finally]

Havent done it yet but ordered a new koyo replacement this weekend. The one in there made it 12 years and is still fine, so i saw no need for an upgrade. Got mine on ebay for under $120 but that was mainly because i had enough ebay credit to pay for more than half of it and it had to be used in January.

 

[HCurphy]

yeah I think the koyo is the favored on the board from what ive read

 

[bulger22]

I mistakenly did not take in consideration of the koyo or what this board had to offer as far as suggestions on the upgrade. I went with an O'reilly's replacement which is plastic as well. I was in a hurry and just had it shipped and in the store the next day, plus tax free. So far no problems with it...still wish I had upgraded to all metal, maybe even an outside trans cooler will be a future mod.

 

[Maxil]

When I first got my koyo I wondered about the plastic as well. Honestly, it is very very tough stuff, and the part that does the cooling is metal. As best I can tell it does just as good a job as the original. Hooked up with a B&M 70264 it does even better.

 

[Kung]

Same boat as others - my radiator is supposedly fine (it was flushed when the B&M 70264 went in), and my transmission shifts firm as hell, BUT I'm not taking any chances.

So I've got a Koyo A1998 on the way, and once it gets in, I am having

- it installed
- as well as a full transmission flush and coolant flush

and will have the 70264 installed in series with the radiator, afterwards. I'll ensure that the recommended stuff ("Toyota Red," I keep seeing it called) is used, so that I don't have further problems down the road.

 

[BrianSD_42]

I had a Koyo put in by a shop in San Diego. $350 installed.

 

[iceman601]

Had to change mines after 13 years and 145,000 miles when this happened.

Replaced it with an OEM one.

 

[Jon]

No mater what radiator you go with, I HIGHLY suggest the B&M 70264 external cooler. Now that I'm doing the 5spd swap in my runner, the wife's Forester XT gets the cooler.

 

[jmt2404]

Whose bright idea was it to make radiators out of PLASTIC?!

Who's replaced 'em? did you just put in a direct replacement or upgrade to a real (metal) one?

Where's the best source and what's a good price?

Mine hasn't failed yet, but my guy told me it's getting dis-colored and should be replaced sooner than later.

I replaced mine when I put my new engine in about2 or 3 weeks ago. I replaced mine because it was getting discolored and I started seeing those mini cracks. It wasn't leaking yet but it woun't have been long. Look for the cracks on the top if you have those then I would replace it, other wise it probably has some life left.

As for where to get one. I paid a bit extra for an autozone one just for the warranty.

 

[papapoopski]

New guy here...

I have an appointment on Thurs to swap my radiator (2002 w 138k). Shop is insistent on OEM (not a dealership).

Am I better off going somewhere else that will install a KOYO?

 

[SIKHILUXSURF]

either oem or koyo is fine.

 

[SIKHILUXSURF]

Had to change mines after 13 years and 145,000 miles when this happened.

Replaced it with an OEM one.

hey Iceman Hows your mileage with the S/c and all? are you still running 285/75/16's?

 

[96743runner]

+1 for Koyo. Never heard anything bad about that brand.

OP, if in doubt, change that thing out because you may end up milkshaking your transmission. It's not imminent, but it has happened enough times to members be concerned about this issue IMO. Or, at least do a bypass with the B&M cooler.

 

[iceman601]

hey Iceman Hows your mileage with the S/c and all? are you still running 285/75/16's?

"

I'm only running 265/75/16s....MPGs suck big time!

Havent time to really dig into it to find out, AFR is where it should be in and out of boost.

 

[SliderNH]

Replaced the stock radiator with an Autozone too. Paid $135. Lifetime warranty is good. Also installed BM 70264 at the same time.

 

[WK15]

I used the Koyorad Radiator. I noticed some weeping at 181,220. I was about 1k over my scheduled 90K Timing Belt Service. The old radiator was changed out. It did make the service easier. Since it was up on jacks the trans cooler was added, trans fluid was changed out, power steering was changed, along with front, rear and transfer cases were changed.

 

[Nashvegas34]

Had to change mines after 13 years and 145,000 miles when this happened.

Replaced it with an OEM one.

Holy crap iceman, how long ago did that happen? Did your transmission survive?

 

[iceman601]

Holy crap iceman, how long ago did that happen? Did your transmission survive?

It was about a year or more ago...it was only the top end tank that had stress cracks, bottom end was in good condition and so was the tranny cooler part.

 

[Nashvegas34]

It was about a year or more ago...it was only the top end tank that had stress cracks, bottom end was in good condition and so was the tranny cooler part.

Wow, there are about a thousand threads on here about the pink milkshake, but they're all about the internal cooler failing, mixing trans fluid and coolant and toasting the transmission. I haven't seen one do what yours did. Good thing I"m replacing mine soon. I"m almost to 180k on the original.