CSF Radiator Woes (2 Viewers)

[Therealtotodile]

For all the new people -- regardless of how poor you might feel -- only use OEM radiators (apparently the Koyo is good too).

I purchased a CSF radiator last winter and have been running it since. It seems to work for most types of driving, and I only see issues with the temp heading past 210 and up to 220, when I'm on steep/long hill climbs.

Based on my research, I don't think adding something like an aux fan to the rad will help much in this regard.

Curious if anyone had installed an aux fan, and seen lower coolant temps. I have 93 with a digital gauge, so I know the truck typically runs around 190. Only on hill climbs do I have this issue, and it usually doesn't happen till after 4k feet of the climb. The recent trip I just did in mammoth (CA), I had to pull over twice and pop the hood to cool the engine.

If anyone has any ideas that could push my temps down (outside of getting a Koyo or OEM rad) please send them my way.
I'm going to try different oil in he clutch and see if that helps at all.

Best,
Chris

 

[Marco Lau]

My advise is get rid of your CSF and go with OEM or Koyo since they are still available for your 1fz-fe. Don't mess around with changing clutch fluid or adding aux fan when your radiator is not adequate in cooling your rig under load. I had the same issue and the only solution unfortunately is to replace the CSF with a Ron Davis. Problem solved and been 4 yrs with zero cooling issues.

 

[Therealtotodile]

My advise is get rid of your CSF and go with OEM or Koyo since they are still available for your 1fz-fe. Don't mess around with changing clutch fluid or adding aux fan when your radiator is not adequate in cooling your rig under load. I had the same issue and the only solution unfortunately is to replace the CSF with a Ron Davis. Problem solved and been 4 yrs with zero cooling issues.

I was waiting for someone to tell me this is my only option, thank you sir. Do you know where I could source the Ron D. Radiator from? Remember everyone, CSF = s***. well built, not well designed for what the truck requires.

 

[LongDuck]

TYC-1918 in your future?

Is the issue about price for,the replacement radiator? I went with a TYC-1918 several years back when doing coolant system overhaul (*that turned into new OEM short-block,...), but the radiator has been exactly what I wanted for $280 shipped, and looks very close to Toyota OEM apart from the pre-installed foam strips, which are required to keep airflow going through the radiator and not around it.

The Ron Davis is a one-and-done solution, but well over $1k. I considered it, then the disposable nature of radiators where I live (AZ Sonoran desert).

 

[Fj80oregon]

Koyorad 1918 $370 on Amazon bought 2 years ago and very happy with it.

 

[Fj80oregon]

Or buy oem and never look back!

 

[Marco Lau]

I was waiting for someone to tell me this is my only option, thank you sir. Do you know where I could source the Ron D. Radiator from? Remember everyone, CSF = s***. well built, not well designed for what the truck requires.

Call Ron Davis. They are pricey, around $1,500 with a long lead time. If you can still get OEM , TYC or Koyo, I would go that route.

 

[gummycarbs]

it usually doesn't happen till after 4k feet of the climb

What gear are you in? The torque converter won't lock up until 3rd, and an unlocked torque converter generates a ton of heat. I know people here advocate letting the engine rev out in 2nd to climb hills, and I do it too, but I wouldn't advise it without a temperature sensor like you have.

 

[UsedLuxury]

Or buy oem and never look back!

View attachment 3125932

I think my SOR rad was around 500. I feel violated. It's all brass though so at least I have that.

 

[Marco Lau]

I think my SOR rad was around 500. I feel violated. It's all brass though so at least I have that.

OE radiator has long been discontinued for the 91 92 3FE

 

[MickeyB]

Denso is a good options as well.

 

[ChaseTruck]

'93, w/ S/C, ~35k (or a bit more, can't remember anymore) fluid in the blue fan clutch, water pump overdrive pulley, 175°F T-stat, lives in the Phoenix area. We've had the Koyo in it, but replaced it with a TYC. The core on the TYC is thicker than the Koyo. Seems to me that MUD generally thinks the TYC is too cheap. We're happy how it has worked for us - where the 4-year old Koyo went to 216°F, the TYC (same fan clutch setup) was 20°F cooler. If I see 208°F, it's on a restart after I parked the truck during a long hill climb on the trail - i.e. heat soak after turning the engine off. And perhaps I should mention that this truck doesn't like the 2nd gear 5k rpm approach on hills.

 

[blahblahblah]

I've had a CSF in my 80 for several years and I agree - it sucks.

I ran Dusy Ershim about 2 weeks ago. You have to climb nearly 4000ft over 15 miles to get up to Shaver Lake. The outside temp was around 70F, and I made it about halfway before I had to crank the heater up. Luckily there were enough breaks in the climb so I didn't have to pull over and cool down.

I do have an aux fan, which I turned on, but I can't say it did anything in this situation.

 

[Therealtotodile]

What gear are you in? The torque converter won't lock up until 3rd, and an unlocked torque converter generates a ton of heat. I know people here advocate letting the engine rev out in 2nd to climb hills, and I do it too, but I wouldn't advise it without a temperature sensor like you have.

I think second at like 2k-2.1k about