2008-2018 Radiator Failure and Public Service Announcement

[04UZJ100]

Here's my 2013 today at 90k. Sharpee mark is at 75k. Replaced radiator, water pump, hoses, thermostat.
View attachment 2734011

Did you DIY. How was it?

 

[Simpleman]

Did you DIY. How was it?

Was going to just DIY the radiator after watching the video on it. Then talked myself into doing the water pump too and then decided to just see what the dealer would charge. Got them down to $1350 for the radiator, water pump, hoses, thermostat, and belt so decided to just have them do it. They have a LC tech who has two of his own.

 

[fj60eric]

Was going to just DIY the radiator after watching the video on it. Then talked myself into doing the water pump too and then decided to just see what the dealer would charge. Got them down to $1350 for the radiator, water pump, hoses, thermostat, and belt so decided to just have them do it. They have a LC tech who has two of his own.

Curious what shop you used? I’m in the high country and need this done - was considering taking it down to a dealer or shop.

 

[Simpleman]

Curious what shop you used? I’m in the high country and need this done - was considering taking it down to a dealer or shop.

Larry H Miller Toyota, Colorado Springs. There are two in town, and I used this one at 5115 New Car Dr, Colorado Springs, CO 80923. Shawna Freeman is the service advisor there. Tell her you want the same deal she gave Kerry.

 

[CruiserFan88]

Here's a pic of a gallon jug of Toyota red from a year ago and a gallon jug from today. The caps are totally different in color and what is written.

Toyota RED coolant and Toyota PINK are not the same coolant at all. If anyone is curious there are threads out there explaining the difference but most definitely DO NOT put RED in the LC. The RED which is made for older model years can be corrosive to the materials (gaskets, seals) that are in the LC 5.7. FYI

 

[saywhat]

Hey all, am I crazy, or is this not an OEM radiator + cap? I took a minute to pull the shroud off to take a look at the replacement that a very reputable local indy shop handled. Quick google of "R126 Radiator Cap" yields a Futaba branded cap . And the fact that there are no markings/stampings or labels on the top of the radiator.

Part number on the invoice was 16400-50382 and priced exactly the same as if bought from the dealership parts department.

 

[Blackbirdaerial]

Hey all, am I crazy, or is this not an OEM radiator + cap? I took a minute to pull the shroud off to take a look at the replacement that a very reputable local indy shop handled. Quick google of "R126 Radiator Cap" yields a Futaba branded cap . And the fact that there are no markings/stampings or labels on the top of the radiator.

Part number on the invoice was 16400-50382 and priced exactly the same as if bought from the dealership parts department.

View attachment 2746106

This is OEM. Looks like yours is missing a sticker and a serial number on top? Idk if they are different though.

 

[bloc]

Hey all, am I crazy, or is this not an OEM radiator + cap? I took a minute to pull the shroud off to take a look at the replacement that a very reputable local indy shop handled. Quick google of "R126 Radiator Cap" yields a Futaba branded cap . And the fact that there are no markings/stampings or labels on the top of the radiator.

Part number on the invoice was 16400-50382 and priced exactly the same as if bought from the dealership parts department.

View attachment 2746106

If that is OEM it is the old tank design and they haven’t made those for a few years. Plus the lack of TRad labeling is suspect, as is the cap, you’ve already noted.

 

[gaijin]

If that is OEM it is the old tank design and they haven’t made those for a few years. Plus the lack of TRad labeling is suspect, as is the cap, you’ve already noted.

Also, what bothers me is the lack of the ">PA66 + PA612 - GF30<" nomenclature molded into the top of the radiator to the right of the cap

OP's replacement doesn't look OEM - not even old style OEM.

 

[PDoyle]

Also missing the felt across the inside top. Looks like the one I bought from rock auto a year ago. It's still a good rad.

 

[saywhat]

Thanks everyone, that pretty much confirms my suspicion. I'll follow up with the shop. This again confirms my OCD when it comes to working on vehicles, if you want it done right, do it yourself.

 

[bloc]

when it comes to working on vehicles, if you want it done right, do it yourself.

Truer words were never spoken.

 

[drmwvr]

How long do I have? Yellow marks are from last summer. Crack is definitely spreading. This is on my ‘10. Original radiator. 167k miles. Thanks!

View attachment 2702050

Following up with a pic of my spanking new radiator! Replaced the water pump and hoses at same time. As a bonus, the foam at the leading edge of the radiator (that had disintegrated) came as part of the new radiator!
Great piece of mind here in Houston given the summer heat!

 

[04UZJ100]

Following up with a pic of my spanking new radiator! Replaced the water pump and hoses at same time. As a bonus, the foam at the leading edge of the radiator (that had disintegrated) came as part of the new radiator!
Great piece of mind here in Houston given how hot it is in the summer!

View attachment 2757823

How was the job? Any pointers?

 

[drmwvr]

How was the job? Any pointers?

Have a good shop that you trust!

 

[ohlancaster]

*Extreme Conjecture Below*

I wanted to see if I could ballpark the failure rate of the radiator through the use of the information on this forum and the internet as well as narrow down the timing of the failures. On this thread alone, the following users have had radiator failures/ cracking (complete with model year and miles listed are as of the event date):
@jclarke450 - 08 at 166K miles
@INTP - 08 at 143K
@NetJunky - 09 at 135k
@BTUMAN - 08 at 94K
@MEMCruiser - 08 at 185K
@Softride62 - 08 at 110K
@DSallean - 08 at 129K
@thechief24 - 08 at 112K
@Markuson - 08 at 81K
@mreedbmwm3 - 139K
@TexAZ - 08 -
@ranma21 - 11 at 82k

I was able to find two additional cases of radiator failure in another 200 section thread.
@Utahsteve - 08 at 100k
@Fahad -

Number of Failures:
14 total failures, 10 were 2008 model, 1 was 2009, 1 was 2011, and 2 unknown. All are Land Cruisers except for the 2011 LX 570 despite them using the same radiator. This could be because the 200 section is mainly LC owners. I checked the 3rd gen LX 570 section on clublexus but wasn't able to find any failures.

Mileage of Failures:
Failures occurred at an average of ~123,000 miles with a standard deviation of ~31,000 miles (numbers only take into account vehicles who's mileage at the failure was recorded). All are believed to have occurred within the last two years.

Failure Rate:
There is no way a good baseline for failure rate. The MUD population is too small and there is no way to accurately count the number of owners of the 08-11 model year. This thread shows 71 currently owned from 2008-2011 (How many 200's on ih8mud). Assuming all MUD owners input their info (which didn't happen and is a bad assumption), this puts the failure rate at ~20% (take with a Land Cruiser-sized grain of salt)

My radiator failed around 175k. Crack. Replaced. Now leak under motor.

 

[BigMF]

My radiator failed around 175k. Crack. Replaced. Now leak under motor.

Quite possibly it's the water pump. This is what mine looked like when I changed the oil last:

Planning on swapping out the radiator later this fall along with the pump and the whole shebang like everyone else while I'm in there

 

[HighRanch]

Yes, that is the new design

How can you visibly tell this is the new? I understand the new part is 16400-50384, but what are you seeing that identifies this as the new version?

 

[Ratchey]

How can you visibly tell this is the new? I understand the new part is 16400-50384, but what are you seeing that identifies this as the new version?

The old design is very square and has sharp 90 degree corners where it rises from the radiator and is flush with the radiator at the edge facing the engine

https://forum.ih8mud.com/attachments/inkedrad1_li-jpg.2530796/

The new design has radiused edges where it rises from the radiator and is nearly flush in the middle with the radiator.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/attachments/img_2820-jpg.2500808/

 

[jbyrd78]

I just noticed yesterday on my 2011 L.C w/ 121,600 miles. I have the infamous radiator hairline crack. I was going to replace my water pump and thermostat in a few weeks...looks like I'll be adding this to the list. The radiator in the picture provided is the newer version that has been revised? This is the one I need to order correct? Just asking b/c toyotaparts.com is giving me various radiator choices to pick from for my year.