2008-2018 Radiator Failure and Public Service Announcement

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They just called back and said the hose wasn't fitting and sealing as well as it should hinting it may be the hoses fault which i supplied. Service manager is still verbally admitting fault however. They are ordering a new hose then when they get it back together they are going to run coolant system pressure and leak tests. And do overheat diagnostics whatever all that may be.
Genuine Toyota hose or aftermarket?
 
Genuine Toyota hose or aftermarket?
My hose along with new clamps were genuine from a Serra parts sale online order but it had been sitting in my garage since like October so perhaps it warped I dont know. They are also getting oem presumably as they said closest one was in LA so won't get here till Tuesday.
 
My hose along with new clamps were genuine from a Serra parts sale online order but it had been sitting in my garage since like October so perhaps it warped I dont know. They are also getting oem presumably as they said closest one was in LA so won't get here till Tuesday.

Even if it had been smashed flat by being stored under something, any tech worth their pay should have been able to install it effectively. I'm wondering if they damaged it during install.. From memory the lower spring clamp can be a little tricky with the sway bar in the way.

I'd be requesting they provide you the faulty hose. Pressure test is a good idea.. I'd also want something approaching an official explanation in writing of how a genuine toyota part could have failed in the way you observed.

At the end of the day they ****ed up and need to own it.
 
My hose along with new clamps were genuine from a Serra parts sale online order but it had been sitting in my garage since like October so perhaps it warped I dont know. They are also getting oem presumably as they said closest one was in LA so won't get here till Tuesday.
If a Toyota part, I call bull on their explanation. Lots of parts sit on shelves for a few months with no concerns about using them. Don’t blame yourself for this.
 
Even if it had been smashed flat by being stored under something, any tech worth their pay should have been able to install it effectively. I'm wondering if they damaged it during install.. From memory the lower spring clamp can be a little tricky with the sway bar in the way.

I'd be requesting they provide you the faulty hose. Pressure test is a good idea.. I'd also want something approaching an official explanation in writing of how a genuine toyota part could have failed in the way you observed.

At the end of the day they ****ed up and need to own it.
Agree and yes they said they would give me the hose back in case i wanted to try to return it. However they also threw away all my still good parts (belt, pulleys etc) they swapped out so we will see if they throw away the hose before i get to see it.

Yes it's not like it was simply leaking under the clamp. The whole hose was disconnected from the radiator fitting. For that to happen the clamp most likely wasn't seated at all over the radiator output. Like they didnt push it down far enough after mating the radiator Hose.

The service manager (former tech so he is at least knowledgeable) also said he asked the tech if he test drove it after the work and the tech said he only had it around the block. Which the service manager said he reprimanded him and said this job should always have a longer test drive to include highway speeds and rpm's. Almost glad he didnt test drive it on the highway as I doubt he would have been as attentive to the coolant temp and shut it down as fast i did.
 
If a Toyota part, I call bull on their explanation. Lots of parts sit on shelves for a few months with no concerns about using them. Don’t blame yourself for this.
Yeah I'm not letting them blame me. So far they are saying all the right things. I told them I wanted it documented in the service notes that they are at fault. Trying to avoid being super adversarial until they force me to be should it come to that (no matter how difficult that is). They are saying and doing the right things so far and I'm trying to keep my temper while they so far seem to be handling it the right way.
 
Yeah I'm not letting them blame me. So far they are saying all the right things. I told them I wanted it documented in the service notes that they are at fault. Trying to avoid being super adversarial until they force me to be should it come to that (no matter how difficult that is). They are saying and doing the right things so far and I'm trying to keep my temper while they so far seem to be handling it the right way.
Good strategy. If the engine is damaged they’ll likely do the right thing. My concern would be will they stand behind it if the engine loses a head gasket in 15k miles.. much less direct line, but we all know it would be hard to argue this event wasn’t a factor. Hence, the documentation is critical.

Sorry you are dealing with this. Yet another example of why I am the only one doing mechanical work on my vehicles.
 
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For sure it's the right action to get it documented in the service notes. That has a downside, though. This could be a red flag to anyone savvy enough to check service records in a future sale. I know I would want details if I read in a service record an engine had lost all coolant. All the more reason they owe you compensation beyond a new hose.
 
For sure it's the right action to get it documented in the service notes. That has a downside, though. This could be a red flag to anyone savvy enough to check service records in a future sale. I know I would want details if I read in a service record an engine had lost all coolant. All the more reason they owe you compensation beyond a new hose.
Very good points.
 
Very good points.
Yes my starting point for the negotiations is extended warranty to 200k. At 75k now. I'd probably settle for 150. And it needs to be transferable should i sell although I already told them Im so upset about this as its my forever car and supposed to be handed down to my kids eventually. Funny enough is that for the last 4ish years they send me a letter once a month trying to buy it from me. I got a text from their sales dept 5 minutes after I dropped it off originally trying to buy it too.
 
If a Toyota part, I call bull on their explanation. Lots of parts sit on shelves for a few months with no concerns about using them. Don’t blame yourself for this.
Update: they said they had to order new hose clamps too. I had 2 new spares of hose clips for each radiator Hose 1 and 2. I told them that and they said they needed to make sure they had the right clamps. I said the part numbers are on the bags. And he said but they aren't on the parts themselves. That got me thinking and I said "you know radiator Hose 1 and hose 2 use different hose clamps parts right?" And the manager then admitted that they put the wrong clamps on hose 2. So the tech apparently just dumped all thr parts on the table and didn't leave all the clamps in their respective bags. I dont have the truck back yet nor the spare parts so I have no idea what the difference in diameter or clamping force is between the 2 different clamps but enough that hose 2 pops off if the wrong clamps are used. Manager said he asked the service director how to figure out some warranty coverage. And they still haven't been able to run it and test the motor and coolant system yet.
 
I believe three are the same and one is different. IIRC the bottom clamp on the lower hose is slightly larger diameter. The two clamps on the upper hose and the top clamp on the lower hose should be the same.
 
I believe three are the same and one is different. IIRC the bottom clamp on the lower hose is slightly larger diameter. The two clamps on the upper hose and the top clamp on the lower hose should be the same.
This is correct.

Even given this I have no idea how they would have messed it up.. there is no way they put the smaller clamp onto the lower/larger hose nipple. Even the correct larger clamp is really tight.
 
This is correct.

Even given this I have no idea how they would have messed it up.. there is no way they put the smaller clamp onto the lower/larger hose nipple. Even the correct larger clamp is really tight.
They just called and said they are done with it. They compression tested it. Tested coolant system for exhaust gas in the cooling system and all cylinders for coolant in them and everything passed. I think he said all cylinders compression tested at around 180. They had 5 different techs look it over for QC on everything else and test drove it 125 miles. They also said the only thing they can do for warranty is 1 year unlimited miles. Not happy about that. But dont know what other recourse I have about that. All the test records are in the work order so hopefully that helps should I ever decide to sell.
 
does this look like someone JB welded the radiator?

1778107754852.webp

1778107567841.webp



Gemini:

Based on the image provided and current Toyota parts records, the part in your photo is an older revision.

The sticker shows partial identifiers (5038 and 703081) and the manufacturer TRAD, which corresponds to the older factory-installed radiator series.

Current Part Status
The latest, most up-to-date radiator part number for a 2018 Toyota Land Cruiser (5.7L V8) is:

16400-50384


Toyota has revised this specific radiator several times to address reliability or manufacturing updates. Here is the supersession chain for your vehicle:

  • 16400-50381 (Older)
  • 16400-50382 (Older)
  • 16400-50383 (Older)
  • 16400-50384 (Current / Latest)
 
Yes. It does appear that way. It doesn’t look too bad and I would expect it to last for quite a while.
Dang it, was hoping my 2018 car had the newer design.
Manufactured date is 03/2018.

I’ll buy the parts on the next 25% off sale and keep it here.
 
That's definitely the old design
 
Dang it, was hoping my 2018 car had the newer design.
Manufactured date is 03/2018.

I’ll buy the parts on the next 25% off sale and keep it here.

They only started with the new design in late 2018 models I think.
 
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