2008-2018 Radiator Failure and Public Service Announcement (1 Viewer)

[LvCruiserNewb]

These typically get 1/8-1/4" longer toward the driver's side before they fail. Based on that I'd predict you having quite a bit of time before it fails even if left alone. Multiple thousands of miles, if not tens of k's.

But yours would be a great candidate for a preventative patch to strengthen the area. Lots of guys do this and basically prevent the failure entirely. Some for close to 100k. The critical detail is to do it as early as possible, definitely before it starts leaking. So that's a good option and you should be able to get it done and tested before your trip.

If you do decide to let it ride, monitor it closely for growth.

Thanks for the input. Evidence of how long the crack usually gets before failure even if anecdotal was pretty much exactly what i was looking for. I have debated the patch for a while and decided to avoid it during the warranty period just in case it started to leak and I could get it fixed for free. With 1200 miles of warranty left its unlikely that it will start to leak but if it doesnt then waiting for warranty to expire likely won't change the patch effectiveness either.

The diabolical super villain in me has also debated if I could mechanically flex it in such a way to make it start leaking before 75k and score a free replacement and I could avoid the job myself. My local service advisor has been very good to me with warranty claims but a non leaking crack I doubt he could get a replacement approved before it starts leaking.

I'll probably let it be until the warranty expires then patch while I await the next part sale and then do the radiator as well as the other common 100k-ish parts myself at the same time. That will be a job the level of which I've never done before but with all the posts and tutorials on here I imagine I'll get it done with minimal problems.

 

[32cls6speedmt]

@bloc when replaced your radiator for the third time. Did you do water pump and tensioner etc?

 

[bloc]

@bloc when replaced your radiator for the third time. Did you do water pump and tensioner etc?

I did the pump with the first radiator around 105k, both pulleys around 150.

 

[open country]

I'll probably let it be until the warranty expires then patch while I await the next part sale and then do the radiator as well as the other common 100k-ish parts myself at the same time. That will be a job the level of which I've never done before but with all the posts and tutorials on here I imagine I'll get it done with minimal problems.

Yours won't fail in the next 1200 miles, but I'd go ahead and get the OEM radiator on the 25% off sale. Serra Toyota (Decatur, AL) does a great job shipping carefully and does so for free. Have it on hand for when you need it instead of betting on future parts availability.

 

[LvCruiserNewb]

Yours won't fail in the next 1200 miles, but I'd go ahead and get the OEM radiator on the 25% off sale. Serra Toyota (Decatur, AL) does a great job shipping carefully and does so for free. Have it on hand for when you need it instead of betting on future parts availability.

Fair point. No sense waiting to order the parts. I just need to compile the all encompassing parts list for a 2018 that I should change at 75k (if any) while I have the radiator out.