radiator help

[localmotion]

anyone know what it takes to change out a radiator? I found a crack at the top near the filling hole. Can i just patch it with something for the time being? I am starting my tour tommorow and will not have a lot of time to spend on fixin it.

thanks in advance

[Lee]

it's REALLY easy.

1) get a drain pan
2) unhook lower rad hose from the engine and let fluid drain.
3) unhook top hose from engine, let fluid run through rad down to drain pan.
4) unscrew radiator from the guides
5) slide radiator out.
6) depending on what radiator you get (aftermarket), you might get one that has guides built in, meaning you can remove the guides too.... if you go with a toy one or one that requires guides, no need to touch them.
7) slide new rad in, screw into guides, reattach hoses
8) fill with coolant.

dont think i missed any steps but if i did someone please chime in.. its been about a yr or so since i did it on my 3rd gen.

[Seanz0rz]

lee, did you forget the ATF cooler on an auto trans vehicle?

you would have to detach and drain those hoses as well, and refill after.

as for fixing the crack, ive never tried any of the commercially available products, but i dont think it would hurt to try it for the time being. remember, anything that promises to fix leaks that goes into the cooling system (all of the stop leak products you pour in) will be very harmful, and dont use them. if you find an epoxy or the like intended to repair it, then go for it.

do 3rd gens have plastic radiators? seems like they do, but i just cant remember.

[localmotion]

well that does seem easy...will the radiators from Advance Auto do the trick...or should I go for something else. Toyota wants 700 to do the job which I think is insane!

As far as the ATF cooler lines, would it be a big pita? It seems like I just refill what I lost?

EDIT: I called advanced and they said a new radiator was only 150...that seems more like it.

[4runnerchevy]

As far as the ATF cooler lines, would it be a big pita? It seems like I just refill what I lost?

EDIT: I called advanced and they said a new radiator was only 150...that seems more like it.


Good price and yes just fill what ATF you lost. Check it !

[Lee]

well that does seem easy...will the radiators from Advance Auto do the trick...or should I go for something else. Toyota wants 700 to do the job which I think is insane!

As far as the ATF cooler lines, would it be a big pita? It seems like I just refill what I lost?

EDIT: I called advanced and they said a new radiator was only 150...that seems more like it.
i tried using a higher quality, smaller aftermarket parts dist in my area... the first radiator leaked so they gave me a different, higher quality one that was great.

so it's kind of hit or miss i guess.

you could always order one online too.

[Lee]

lee, did you forget the ATF cooler on an auto trans vehicle?

you would have to detach and drain those hoses as well, and refill after.

as for fixing the crack, ive never tried any of the commercially available products, but i dont think it would hurt to try it for the time being. remember, anything that promises to fix leaks that goes into the cooling system (all of the stop leak products you pour in) will be very harmful, and dont use them. if you find an epoxy or the like intended to repair it, then go for it.

do 3rd gens have plastic radiators? seems like they do, but i just cant remember.
i didnt have an atf cooler?? where is that??

i didnt need to touch anything more than i listed.

[Seanz0rz]

did you have an automatic transmission?

you should have a few rows of the radiator dedicated to ATF cooling. im guessing if you had a manual, you wouldnt have those.

please correct me if i am wrong on this.

[DHC6twinotter]

I have had a Modine radiator in my truck for the past 4 years. No problems at all, and it was super easy to install.

My radiator had a couple of lines going into the bottom to help cool the tranny fluid.

[localmotion]

awesome guys!

yea, I have an automatic, so ill just disconnect them, then reconnect them and replace what I lost.

I hope the advance auto ones will do the trick!

[reggie 00]

make sure you get the right one before you tear it apart.

I got my new one from 1-800 radiator. The initial sales guy had me wait to talk to a tech cause the computer showed 5 or 6 possible radiators for the 4runner.

Tech called and asked a few questions and matched things up and off i went to pick it up at the local pickup.

Make sure you get the Toyota coolant from the dealer, its not any more expensive than store bought.

Might as well replace your thermostat while you got it all apart too.

[corax]

before you remove the ATF lines, use a pair of vice grips or hose clam pliers to lightly clamp the rubber part of the hose closed. that way you make less of a mess and probably won't have to replace much fluid at all.

I've used Radiator.com the last few times I needed one, and usually had it in one or two days (which may not work for you if you gotta leave). I did a quick search for your truck and came up with $115 (didn't check shipping), but they recommend you call to make sure you get the right one (several different ones used)

[4runnerchevy]

Make sure you get the Toyota coolant from the dealer, its not any more expensive than store bought.


Why ? I need facts. Do you own stock in Toyota ?

[localmotion]

Ok, I decided to go to Napa Auto instead of Advance. here is the radiator I am getting.

Attributes:
Product Features:Manufactured with Industry leading quality components using world class process
Make:TOYOTA
Core Size:22 5/8 x 25 1/4 x 1 1/4 (2 Row)
Inlet Header Size:2 x 26
Outlet Header Size:2 x 26
Inlet Connector Size:1 3/8 Top Right
Outlet Connector Size:1 3/8 Bottom Left
Type of Mount:Flange
Oil Cooler:14 3/4 Transmission
Comments:Plastic Tank Aluminum Core

Does anyone see a problem with that? And of course I will be using Toyota Red Coolant.

[localmotion]

As far as the thermostat, should I just get a factory one or get one that the guys with the S/C's use thats aftermarket? thanks again!

[Lee]

go factory for the thermo.

that rad should be fine... its really hit or miss, but im sure that will work out just fine for ya :thumbup:

[reggie 00]

Make sure you get the Toyota coolant from the dealer, its not any more expensive than store bought.


Why ? I need facts. Do you own stock in Toyota ?


No stock.

They have additives that dont corod the crap out of the system.

Kind of like the orange coolant you have to use for some Chevy's.

I thought it was crap too when i was told this. But when i got my 4 runner and got it up and running i just used regular ol green.
I just replaced it cause of all the build up,rust,nasty stuff that accumulated because of me and the PO.

It was not the best to start but i noticed a marked difference in the 2yrs i had it, and it wasn't for the better.

So now i am following all the advice of learned others and running diluted red in my new rad, after a hopefully good flush with some cleaners.

I think the bottle of red cost me like $6.

If it didn't need it they wouldn't make it.

[garrett]

anyone know what it takes to change out a radiator? I found a crack at the top near the filling hole. Can i just patch it with something for the time being? I am starting my tour tommorow and will not have a lot of time to spend on fixin it.

thanks in advance


:asshat:








:D

[localmotion]

hey hey hey...eassyy.

I hardly drive the 4runner now-a-days since I have a cruiser. so HA, i only spend maybe 60$ per month on gas! who's laughin now! hahaha.

yea, Im upset about the leak...but at 250k...i guess its not that bad.

[localmotion]

well i just finished installing the new radiator and thermostat....boy was that a pain in my opinion...messy as hell. Im sure my apt complex will be wondering why there is a big mess in the furthest spot from my apt.haha.

Thank you all for the help!!!

[Lee]

glad it worked out for ya :)

[reggie 00]

hey hey hey...eassyy.

I hardly drive the 4runner now-a-days since I have a cruiser. so HA, i only spend maybe 60$ per month on gas! who's laughin now! hahaha.

yea, Im upset about the leak...but at 250k...i guess its not that bad.


HA got ya beat.

I spend on average $60 every 6 months on gas for the 4runner.


Good job on the radiator R&R.
Did you get it burped ok?
I don't think i ever got my rear heat to work after i replace mine.

[localmotion]

well i didnt burp it yet...i just let it run for 10 min and shut it off b/c i had to go to work.

[reggie 00]

That's pretty much what i did.

I let it run and then cool down, run again ect.

I dot have the cool burping funnel, i havent had a chance to track one down.

[slosurfer]

To burb mine, I parked it so that the front end was uphill, I let it idle for awhile with the cap off and the front/rear heater on full blast. After awhile, I while it was still running, I started squeezing the upper radiator hose and it started getting the air out and I would keep adding coolant in.

[localmotion]

well i added a whole bottle of toyota red with a bottle of water mixed....do i need to add more?? Is my radiator really a camel?