BJ70 cooling system problems (1 Viewer)

[dogstarmessenger]

Hey Yall
I have an 85 BJ70 here in California and my coolant system has been acting up.
1st it would run fine and then next day overheat immediatly, then filled back up with coolant ran great ...but then again would overheat shortly after.
So I removed the thermostat and refilled with coolant and it ran great all around the back country mountain roads without even getting to warm , so I was convinced it was the t-stat and felt good about it . Then this morning I go out and there is a puddle of coolant under the front of the truck and coolant seems to be leaking out of the bottom right side of the radiator (by the hose)
Now I am wondering if I should try to get it recored or just order a new one.
Any suggestions on where to find one close to Cali?
Also in the meantime I was thinking of putting some of that "Bars Leaks Radiator stop leak" stuff in the cooling system but I am sceptical and dont want to f*** things up more .......anyone use this stuff?

Thanks

Brian

 

[David*BJ70]

If it the rad, my opinion is to recored it.

Forget the "Bars Leaks Radiator stop leak"

 

[Stone]

Brian:

I wouldn't put that stop leak powder in my rad...you never know where it's going to end up plugging things up in the system.

As far as that leaking rad goes, the best option is to replace the rad with a new one. It is expensive, I paid around $493 with taxes for my new 4-core rad (per Greg B.'s part number supplied in another thread) at Langley Toyota, but it is brand new and will be problem free for years.

The problem that I've observed with these 70 series rads is not necessarily in the core, but mostly in the brass tanks and their seams developing leaks. I have heard mentioned in the past that because of the way the tanks are stamped to shape, there are thin spots that are prone to the heat causing pinholes. Why bother spending a couple of hundred dollars recoring a rad that has faulty tanks? Even if your tanks are not leaking yet, it may just be a matter of time before they do...and you'll have to shell out the money to fix that again. My 2 cents...and I'm very happy with the way the new rad is working.

I don't have EPIC at home, but maybe someone can verify if the 13B-T rad is the same for the 3B? I can't quite remember.

 

[crushers]

go with new... money well spent.
at the same time make sure the rest of the system is up to snuff, check the hoses, thermostate and water pump...
cheers

 

[dogstarmessenger]

Any parts #'s for a 3B radiator
where to buy
Stone- you got yours from Langley Toyota?
I will try to give them a call

B

 

[lshobie]

Definately a new rad, put new hoses and t-stat/gasket on, and new cap. Like wayne said - check the water pump too, they are cheap and they do crap out.

 

[dogstarmessenger]

What is a usual good price for this radiator?
I called Langley Toyota in BC and they gave me the part # 16400-58310
and said it would cost $492.80 but they dont ship to the US , they also said that there were 4 in the US wharehouse.
I am assuming that the price from Langley was in CAD which would be less in US dollars
Then I call a toyota dealer about 100 miles south of me and they say that they can get it for $575.00
Then I call a dealer 40 or so miles south and they quote me a price of $601.00

How can these prices be so far off?

Is there a markup on toyota parts in the US for CAD spec vehicles?


B

 

[Stone]

Dogstar:

I have never dealt with Cdan...but from everything that I've read, he would be the guy to get in touch with. Why don't you contact him off list with the part number and see what he can do for you?

FWIW...yes, the price that you quoted from Langley Toyota is the correct price in CAD.

Stone

 

[MoJ]

Dogstar:

I have never dealt with Cdan...but from everything that I've read, he would be the guy to get in touch with. Why don't you contact him off list with the part number and see what he can do for you?

FWIW...yes, the price that you quoted from Langley Toyota is the correct price in CAD.

Stone

Replaced the radiator in my 1985 BJ70 with a OEM Toyota unit from Cruiserdan who shipped it to my door in St Louis. I don't recall the price. He's on vacation this week so you will have trouble making contact.

 

[beanz2]

16400-58310 is a US part number, any dealer can order it, so get it from Cdan for a mud discount, or if you need it sooner, get it from a dealership who gives a TLCA discount like Freeman Toyota in Santa Rosa. If you want it rebuilt locally, Chad Davis (formerly Redwood Radiators) in Davis does a lot of cruiser radiators. (530) 750-0408 is the number I have.

Dave

 

[Stone]

Dave T.: Just out of curiousity...so is the rad for a 3B different in some way to the ones for my 13B-T? The part number that Greg B. gave me for the rad that I bought is 16400-58170...and it's a 4-core radiator. If the dimensions are the same and the outlets are the same, then might be worthwhile for Dogstar to try and get a 4-core instead of the 3-core. Thanks.

 

[David*BJ70]

I understand everyone almost recommend buying a brand new radiator. But this option is very expensive... like I can see.

By now I'm very happy with my recored radiator (4 core) for only 200$ (canadian $... best deal in Montréal city).

If a brand new radiator last longer than a recored rad... a least two time longer it's a great deal.

what is the life of a brand new rad ?
what is the life of a recored rad ?

 

[beanz2]

Dave T.: Just out of curiousity...so is the rad for a 3B different in some way to the ones for my 13B-T? The part number that Greg B. gave me for the rad that I bought is 16400-58170...and it's a 4-core radiator. If the dimensions are the same and the outlets are the same, then might be worthwhile for Dogstar to try and get a 4-core instead of the 3-core. Thanks.

Don't know, but I bet the inlet and outlets are the same. The BJ74 radiator is not stocked by ToyotaUSA though it sounds like it may be worth the wait to get it through G&S, CDan or Dan@4wheelauto. Recoring to 4 core may also be the way to go if done by a good shop.

Dave

 

[Stone]

Thanks Dave T.

I understand everyone almost recommend buying a brand new radiator. But this option is very expensive... like I can see.

By now I'm very happy with my recored radiator (4 core) for only 200$ (canadian $... best deal in Montréal city).

If a brand new radiator last longer than a recored rad... a least two time longer it's a great deal.

what is the life of a brand new rad ?
what is the life of a recored rad ?

David...I guess the question becomes "how much is your time worth"? That deal you got for a 4-core recore sounds like a very good price, and I don't know how many people outside of your town could come up with a similar price.

If your top and bottom tanks are in excellent condition, for some reason, and the only problem was with the core...then a recore would make sense. However, in my personal experience, I have had two of these rads develop leaks on the actual tanks themselves...and I just saw Greg B's BJ74 rad with the same problem. So...how could a recore solve these old tanks leaking...at least in a long-term quality way, not just soldering the leaks?

I spent a good three hours fiddling with my rad, taking out the old one and putting in the new one, painting the shroud, and then filling the system. After dropping in a used rad and having to re-re it again, I think in hindsight I would have rather just dropped in a new rad in the first place.

 

[Greg_B]

Don't know, but I bet the inlet and outlets are the same. The BJ74 radiator is not stocked by ToyotaUSA though it sounds like it may be worth the wait to get it through G&S, CDan or Dan@4wheelauto. Recoring to 4 core may also be the way to go if done by a good shop.

Dave

Hey folks...

It's a 7* series front end, with a B engine. I bet there would NO fitment issues at all. Run the 16400-58170 and be done with it. Your engine will love you for it. I just checked EPC and it lists it as a 3B/13BT application in the general section.

gb

 

[badboyzz11]

How Will you know if the waterpump is OK, MY 87 Bj-74 was leaking at the pump, took apart pump looks fine?
Does anyone havethe Rad Hose P#'s,

Any Help would be great

Brent

 

[Radd Cruisers]

How Will you know if the waterpump is OK, MY 87 Bj-74 was leaking at the pump, took apart pump looks fine?
Does anyone havethe Rad Hose P#'s,

Any Help would be great

Brent

You don't need to dig up old threads when you already have one thread running on the subject of overheating.

Ask your questions in that thread.


~JOhn

 

[Ratpuke]

I don't have EPIC at home, but maybe someone can verify if the 13B-T rad is the same for the 3B? I can't quite remember.

The 3B rad can be made to work with the 13BT.

 

[jake2far]

16400-58310 - OEM Toyota RADIATOR ASSY
$439.00 in stock in the US.



Jim