2008-2018 Radiator Failure and Public Service Announcement (3 Viewers)

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$477 OTD at Stevinson Lexus in Frederick, CO last weekend.

Or...$370 at Lexus Parts Now in SoCal. (Shipping quoted was an additional $200)
Dang, I’m east coast. Should have mentioned that in the post. Thanks for the info though
 
Dang, I’m east coast. Should have mentioned that in the post. Thanks for the info though

I didn’t see a dealer in CT that’s particularly helpful but multiple dealers in the Boston area run discount part sites.

 
So after reading thru 92 pages on thread I realize my 2017 has the old design. I have ~158k miles on her. Based on pictures below of my radiator I don't see a crack forming but thought I'd share for any feedback. Should I just continue to monitor or replace? I'm surprised with this many miles I don't seem to have any crack starting based on reading what others where seeing with less mileage, but with ~158k miles I wonder if best to be proactive and just go ahead and replace along with water pump, belts, etc.

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Just run it and check it once a week for the hairline to emerge.

My wife's 2016 has 113K and no sign of a crack. My 2013 developed a slight crack at about 85K miles and I installed a preemptive JB Weld patch. I did pick up a radiator during the last Toyota parts sale just to have it on hand.
 
I concur. Just leave it until the crack starts forming or even better starts moving past the drivers side edge of the raised area, then order a radiator and change it at your leisure.

Don’t fix what isn’t broke.
 
After ordering a radiator last year and having it damaged in shipping, trying to find a decent deal again this year, anyone know the best prices out there now? Figured I’d ask before going locally and paying a premium.
Don’t order online but if you do, definitely don’t buy it from Toyotapartsdeal.. huge waste of time and money when you take the time to install it and learn the hard way it’s cracked. Most online places will not accept a return. Buy it from a dealer and pick it up.
 
Don’t order online but if you do, definitely don’t buy it from Toyotapartsdeal.. huge waste of time and money when you take the time to install it and learn the hard way it’s cracked. Most online places will not accept a return. Buy it from a dealer and pick it up.
Gotcha, yea I think that’s what I’ll end up doing. Didn’t have a great experience ordering last time.
 
Serra Toyota has figured out how to ship them successfully
 
After picking up the radiator at the local dealer, I would never try to ship it. The packaging is not intended for conveyor belt sorting like UPS would subject it too. It will be damaged at least (fins bent) or broken (more likely) - as I recall the corners were not well reinforced and the plastic is right there.

Just get your local parts counter to match an online price- mine thru in extra % off on top of that as well, as I ordered some other stuff local.
 
What are they doing differently? Better packaging?

Serra ordered boxes specifically to serve as outer shipping containers for the radiators due to several being damaged in transit last year. They also use an obscene amount of bubble wrap in between the two.
 
I ordered my radiator online from Lost Pines Toyota. It was in perfect shape when it arrived. Packed extremely well with extra layers of cardboard front and back.
 
Just did this.

Some advise to take the passenger side radiator rail out and install that first, but I don't think that's necessary. The radiator comes with "hooks" on top of the top 2 bolts that can temporarily hold the radiator in place while you finagle the bolts into the threads. I used dielectric grease around the bolt to keep it "stuck" to the 12mm socket as I eased the bolt through the bumper into the holes. I was surprised all 4 bolts went in without fuss.

Also, if you want to drain the coolant from the block, you have to access the drain valves from the front wheel wells. there is 1 drain valve per side. The passenger side I think is the harder one to find, but you can see where I went in from this pic and the amount of extensions and a joint that I had to use in the pics below. Notes that these are brass (I think) valves so don't go torquing them down like crazy.
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I opted to replace the alternator brushes while I was in there, which meant I had to take off the power steering pump. It wasn't THAT bad, but did take some work. Do most of your work from the passenger wheel well and underneath.

I had a lot of rusty bolts and hose clamps and bought some new ones. But then I purchased a gallon of evaporust and it restored most of my bolts to a rust-free condition.

Hope this helps someone. I just filled in a bit less than 3 gallons. I was hoping to be able to add in more but we'll see how it goes when I start her up tomorrow morning.
 
Just did this.

Some advise to take the passenger side radiator rail out and install that first, but I don't think that's necessary. The radiator comes with "hooks" on top of the top 2 bolts that can temporarily hold the radiator in place while you finagle the bolts into the threads. I used dielectric grease around the bolt to keep it "stuck" to the 12mm socket as I eased the bolt through the bumper into the holes. I was surprised all 4 bolts went in without fuss.

Also, if you want to drain the coolant from the block, you have to access the drain valves from the front wheel wells. there is 1 drain valve per side. The passenger side I think is the harder one to find, but you can see where I went in from this pic and the amount of extensions and a joint that I had to use in the pics below. Notes that these are brass (I think) valves so don't go torquing them down like crazy.
View attachment 3650545
View attachment 3650546

I opted to replace the alternator brushes while I was in there, which meant I had to take off the power steering pump. It wasn't THAT bad, but did take some work. Do most of your work from the passenger wheel well and underneath.

I had a lot of rusty bolts and hose clamps and bought some new ones. But then I purchased a gallon of evaporust and it restored most of my bolts to a rust-free condition.

Hope this helps someone. I just filled in a bit less than 3 gallons. I was hoping to be able to add in more but we'll see how it goes when I start her up tomorrow morning.
Yeah the height sensor hardware looks like it gets in the way of block drain access. On a cruiser it’s wide open.
 
gotcha, I also just let the coolant "waterfall" down...since it was impossible to get a tube onto the port.

I had a pan to catch the waterfall of course.
 
I checked prior to my purchase, and you're right.

I just HATE driving in the Springs - I'm sure it's just a phobia or something.
Ditto. The window without heavy traffic in the Springs is 10am-2pm. My source there is Melanie. She's great to work with. Just ask for the internet discount she gave me (Glenn Davis) in the past few weeks. If you're going there, I would order as many Toyota parts as you need. Before you depart, verify they have the parts in stock because sometimes strange things happen at the warehouse in Kansas City.
 

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