2008-2018 Radiator Failure and Public Service Announcement

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No way....man I took care of that stuff months ago (WP & rad). I'm just hoping it lasts a good long while so I can dish out dough for some other silly s***...like a starter
 
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No way....man I took care of that stuff months ago (WP & rad). I'm just hoping it lasts a good long while so I can dish out dough for some other silly s***...like a starter

Ah... Ya, no funny fixing stuff. At least you've already built most of your BBBB (Big Beautiful Bad-ass Beast)...

I'm still savin me pennies for major mods (2 bumpers, roof rack/lights, gears/lockers/35).
About to spring for a Zeon 12-S tomorrow before the $200 rebate period ends.

Hey Willy...
Which relocation and wiring did you have to buy for your 12s in order to relocate the solenoid?
I'm going to buy the Platinum version and give their fancy wireless remote a try. You can even wirelessly flip the clutch and release the cable--which could come in handy when winching alone...where you walk out to anchor and end up needing more line.
 
Well when I bought the 12 platinum the synthetic rope wasn't an offering /kit, so I'm running the steel cable. I fit the whole shabang in the bumper. No relocation harness or anything. Just plug -n-play. Had to cut / notch a section of the radiator support bracket to allow a bit of clearance for the top of the solenoid but that was it. Easy install really..just a heavy little booger and bending over at an odd angle to fit the winch in the winch tray...with your recent accident I'd suggest asking for help. Wouldn't be worth aggravating old injuries. Thanks
 
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Just fyi to follow up on my blown radiator. My indy shop put in an OEM radiator. Labor was $200 so I won't complain.

Dave
Dang man that was super duper cheap for labor - you must be the man
 
I hope this is an anomaly- or the tech screwed it up the first time in some way.-

My Radiator leaking....again.

3 months after replacing my radiator (I paid the dealer handsomely to do it)- I found pink coolant on my garage floor yesterday when I pulled in after driving to and from work. When I got out I smelled the distinctive odor of coolant.

I looked around in the engine bay and the leak seemed to be internal to the radiator coils- not on the top stress crack we are all seeing or the water pump...or the rear valley- or any loose hose clamp. The coolant was pooling at the bottom of of the radiator tray. Some had blown onto the fan and i now have pink banksey art under the hood. The dealer confirmed the radiator was leaking today and replacing under warranty. It was a Toyota OEM replacement before and apparently going back with the same.

I am only glad this did not ruin a trip as I have about 150 miles since I got back from Big Bend National Park. I will try and get more info tomorrow when I pick it up. I believe we really need a good replacement other than OEM- sad to say. I hope no one else has this issue, but lets keep a lookout.
 
rockauto.com (my go to for auto parts since their web sites rocks) has a number of replacement radiators and water pumps. I'm not familiar enough with after market vendors to know if any one is better than OEM though.
 
Looks like Toyota is charging about $433 for a radiator while rock auto has a Denso radiator (probably the same OEM part?) for $233. Seems like Toyota is fleecing us.
 
Looks like Toyota is charging about $433 for a radiator while rock auto has a Denso radiator (probably the same OEM part?) for $233. Seems like Toyota is fleecing us.

Nope Denso is not the OE radiator Supplier to Toyota, it is TRAD.
 
UGH... Here it goes:

IMG_0514.webp


Only 81k miles...but it's a 2008... Better now than in Breck er sompin... :bang:
 
I called Toyota Care and explained the radiator problem. Mine currently has 200k+ miles, and I assumed no help. They could see my Toyota ownership history and offered a $300 voucher for future service and parts. The rep had never heard of this problem on the 200. I instructed her here to look up this thread. She said she was writing it down, to look it up after work, as they do not have the ability to search the internet there.
 
I called Toyota Care and explained the radiator problem. Mine currently has 200k+ miles, and I assumed no help. They could see my Toyota ownership history and offered a $300 voucher for future service and parts. The rep had never heard of this problem on the 200. I instructed her here to look up this thread. She said she was writing it down, to look it up after work, as they do not have the ability to search the internet there.

I just got the exact same deal. $300 voucher. I'm in a 2008 with only 81,000 miles.
I think that's pretty nice of them considering it's a NINE year old truck and out of warranty for 6 years.

I DO find it annoying that they still have not redesigned the top to eliminate that obvious weak-point they've introduced with the name-plate indentation (protrusion). Seems so nutty to break up a strong arc shape with four corners just so they can stamp numbers there... (see my photo above).
 
Hang on to your bills. I had the side curtain air bags in my '05 4Runner go off in a parking lot back in '09. Toyota ended up paying for the out of warranty repairs but not the rental car. Because they took about 6 weeks to decide on who was paying I had a bill for the rental car of about $2600 which I paid at the time. Fast forward, I get a recall notice on the air bag problem and now I have a claim in to recoup my $2600. Because it was a company vehicle I still had the paperwork so hang on to your bills.
 
I am looking to purchase an '09 with 73k miles. No signs of leaking, but man maybe I should change the radiator as preventative maintenance? The water pump was changed 2 years ago at 60k service. This kinda has me rethinking my potential purchase. Do you all feel this is a minor issue and only being vocalized by the few that has had this issue?
 
@PaulLx470

If the radiator shows no cracking, I wouldn't let it affect my decision making process in any way as long as its a good deal.
 
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I am looking to purchase an '09 with 73k miles. No signs of leaking, but man maybe I should change the radiator as preventative maintenance? The water pump was changed 2 years ago at 60k service. This kinda has me rethinking my potential purchase. Do you all feel this is a minor issue and only being vocalized by the few that has had this issue?
The issues that we on this forum have discovered thus far are as follows:
water pump
rad
starter
cam tower leak
For this truck one of the four has been addressed - get docs on that, congrats! If you buy a 200 more than likely you'll end up addressing these items anyhow. Look at this truck as a bonus. Good luck on your decision.
 
The issues that we on this forum have discovered thus far are as follows:
water pump
rad
starter
cam tower leak
For this truck one of the four has been addressed - get docs on that, congrats! If you buy a 200 more than likely you'll end up addressing these items anyhow. Look at this truck as a bonus. Good luck on your decision.

Thanks Willy. Yes, thankfully the water pump has been addressed. Maybe I can get lucky and find a Mud member near me that can help me install a new radiator as PM? How hard to replace the starter? Finally, I know absolutely nothing about the cam tower leak but will certainly search and investigate. Thanks a bunch for the response and heads up.
 
IIRC @TexAZ replaced his own starter. I think you need monkey hands and lots of odd tools. Lol
 
Replacing the starter is not a technically difficult task. It does require many extensions and universal joints. It's really just a pain to get to, as the header has to be removed and there isn't much space between the block and the frame.
The radiator is super simple read the thread on suggested tips to make it easier. Toyota left access holes for the mounting bolts.
 

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