Denso Radiator

[ATwoZ]

So, after some frustrating roadside trouble where the fan clutch siezed and turned the fan into a projectile, which took out the radiator and battery, I'm working on getting back up and running.

The shop I took it to, in spite of telling them repeatedly to put in the latest gen radiator, appears to have put in a Denso that they're claiming is OEM. Visually I can tell it's the same design as the older one. Has anyone used the Densos? I'm trying to get an idea of how much I want to fight this. If Densos haven't really had issues, just actually Toyota then that's a different issue too I suppose.

The shop hasn't been real receptive to looking at MUD. Are there any TSBs etc out there that reference the issue that may feel more authoritative to the shop?

 

[hoser]

Well, there is OEM: Original Equipment Manufacturer... which Denso is because they supply radiators for Toyota.
And then there is OE: Original Equipment... which Denso is not for the LC200. The OE radiator is supplied by T.Rad and only available through Toyota.

However, all the Tundra 5.7's are supplied by Denso as Original Equipment.

 

[ATwoZ]

Well, there is OEM: Original Equipment Manufacturer... which Denso is because they supply radiators for Toyota.
And then there is OE: Original Equipment... which Denso is not for the LC200. The OE radiator is supplied by T.Rad and only available through Toyota.

However, all the Tundra 5.7's are supplied by Denso as Original Equipment.

So what's your take? Would you leave it be with the Denso radiator they already put in, or fight for the latest gen TRad that was in there before? If Denso is OE on the Tundra 5.7 would this theoretically be the same? Have the Tundra's had similar issues to your knowledge?

 

[hoser]

Well, I'm a bit of a OE parts purist and I believe T.Rad manufacturers better radiator (nothing factual to back it up though). Denso would just be one step down in my books but not a bad radiator at all. Worth making a fuss? Your shop was probably trying to save you a bit of money. If you have a good relationship with them, I probably would just let it go and run with it.

Also, the Denso Tundra radiator is not exactly the same (different dimensions) but I would expect it to be the similar quality/materials as your Denso.

 

[bigredmachine]

leave the denso rad, as mentioned they are an oem supplier so i wouldnt worry about the quality. are you worried about the quality, whats your concern with whats been installed?

 

[ATwoZ]

Well, I'm a bit of a OE parts purist and I believe T.Rad manufacturers better radiator (nothing factual to back it up though). Denso would just be one step down in my books but not a bad radiator at all. Worth making a fuss? Your shop was probably trying to save you a bit of money. If you have a good relationship with them, I probably would just let it go and run with it.

Also, the Denso Tundra radiator is not exactly the same (different dimensions) but I would expect it to be the similar quality/materials as your Denso.

Appreciate it - it's turning into a mixed relationship with the shop. Nice guys, but looking over the work order and was charged more for the Denso part than MSRP on the Toyota.

Edit: NM...I'm so used to bringing my own parts that didn't realize how common it was for shops to markup parts cost. In this case didn't have much choice as I had to have the rig towed in there.

 

[ATwoZ]

leave the denso rad, as mentioned they are an oem supplier so i wouldnt worry about the quality. are you worried about the quality, whats your concern with whats been installed?

I had already replaced the radiator last year after the stock one failed, a bit gun shy trying to make sure that the replacement is equally good. I can tell that design wise the failure point matches the same as stock, e.g. the 'plate' is the same design as the older stock radiators.

 

[Sandroad]

If it’s the older design that’s known to fail, you should insist on the newer design that so far has been fine. This is regardless of whether Denso is OEM. And if the radiator they put in is more expensive than a Toyota, that’s a lose-lose proposition for you. There are no TSBs for the radiator I know of. Just an extensive record of eventual failure for the old design.

 

[bigredmachine]

I had already replaced the radiator last year after the stock one failed, a bit gun shy trying to make sure that the replacement is equally good. I can tell that design wise the failure point matches the same as stock, e.g. the 'plate' is the same design as the older stock radiators.

i wouldnt necessarily let 1 failure throw you off on using the denso, there can be any sort of 1 off failures reguardless of the manufacture. personally ive seen more rads and water pumps leak from using the pink coolant vs a poor design, i was working at the dealership when toyota switched from red to pink and everything started leaking. it was a slow week if i was only doing 2-3 water pumps a week.

at the end of the day its your money thats paying for the replacement, unless they cant source the t-rad or its cost prohibitive you can always try to get them to replace it with the oe rad

 

[bloc]

It'll probably still do 100k miles easily. It's also entirely possible they don't have the same design issue as the original 200-series rad, like they fixed it on accident. As I recall the Original rad had a bit thinner plastic in the problem spot.. Denso very well may not have that problem.

Either way, considering how fortunate that you got with the fan failure, and the potential headache of fighting with the shop, I'd personally just let it be. If you have to put another radiator in it after 120k.. they aren't that expensive.

 

[ATwoZ]

It'll probably still do 100k miles easily. It's also entirely possible they don't have the same design issue as the original 200-series rad, like they fixed it on accident. As I recall the Original rad had a bit thinner plastic in the problem spot.. Denso very well may not have that problem.

Either way, considering how fortunate that you got with the fan failure, and the potential headache of fighting with the shop, I'd personally just let it be. If you have to put another radiator in it after 120k.. they aren't that expensive.

Great points - I think I'll just let it be.

 

[bloc]

Great points - I think I'll just let it be.

For the record if it had been some parts store special instead of Denso, completely different situation. But yeah don't forget the hassle is worth something.

If nothing else you've learned to be specific to the point well past reasonable when dealing with shops.