Dreaded radiator crack

[damdifino]

I have an '09 with 211,000 miles that just manifested the infamous radiator crack. Dealer has quoted me ~$2000 to replace, including a new water pump, thermostat, and coolant. Does this sound about right?

 

[Sandroad]

Probably cost info in this thread, which has years of posts up to the present.

2008-2018 Radiator Failure and Public Service Announcement

Edited by Moderator to change date range in title Curious who else has had a failure of their radiator on their 200 of the 08-10 model years by a crack on the top next to the molded in platform. I got lucky and found mine before it was catastrophic. I notified @TexAZ because I know his truck...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[linuxgod]

Sounds high to me. Radiator, hoses, new host clamps, two gallons of coolant and the labor is about $750 at the dealership I used. Water pump and thermostat is another hour or so of labor I think. I'm not sure the water pump cost offhand but maybe $200-300? Seems like anything over ~$1200 is awfully expensive to me

 

[RyanR]

Sounds high to me. Radiator, hoses, new host clamps, two gallons of coolant and the labor is about $750 at the dealership I used. Water pump and thermostat is another hour or so of labor I think. I'm not sure the water pump cost offhand but maybe $200-300? Seems like anything over ~$1200 is awfully expensive to me

Water pump was $121 at my local Toyota dealer. I was just in there today getting my defective radiator warrantied and they mentioned that when replacing the radiator at the dealership they are required to removed the front end or corporate will not back their work and parts. No dropping the radiator in from the top. At least this was their story.

If you go this route I would make sure serpentine belt, idler puller and tensioner are being replaced as well. They are cheap parts and MAYBE 15 extra minutes of labor if you are already doing everything else. (Source: I just did all these a week ago. It was all surprisingly easy.)

 

[CharlieS]

Water pump was $121 at my local Toyota dealer. I was just in there today getting my defective radiator warrantied and they mentioned that when replacing the radiator at the dealership they are required to removed the front end or corporate will not back their work and parts. No dropping the radiator in from the top. At least this was their story.

If you go this route I would make sure serpentine belt, idler puller and tensioner are being replaced as well. They are cheap parts and MAYBE 15 extra minutes of labor if you are already doing everything else. (Source: I just did all these a week ago. It was all surprisingly easy.)

Strange since the Factory Service Manual (at least for the Land Cruiser) has it coming out the top. I've had to remove or at least extend the front clip (Audi service position, for example) on other vehicles, but not sure how you'd do that with the 200.

 

[tacoduck]

I have an '09 with 211,000 miles that just manifested the infamous radiator crack. Dealer has quoted me ~$2000 to replace, including a new water pump, thermostat, and coolant. Does this sound about right?

Has anyone tried some jb weld as a bandaid? Unlike BMW, these radiator’s are not under high pressure.

 

[bloc]

they mentioned that when replacing the radiator at the dealership they are required to removed the front end or corporate will not back their work and parts. No dropping the radiator in from the top. At least this was their story.

Total BS.

Just for fun you should ask for documentation on this. I’d love to shame whoever is trying to sell this.

Strange since the Factory Service Manual (at least for the Land Cruiser) has it coming out the top. I've had to remove or at least extend the front clip (Audi service position, for example) on other vehicles, but not sure how you'd do that with the 200.

Correct. You can’t. The core support is welded on, so even if you removed the bumper skin and other front end parts you’d still have to drop it in from the top.

Has anyone tried some jb weld as a bandaid? Unlike BMW, these radiator’s are not under high pressure.

Read the big thread. People are having good results with a couple types of patch as long as the repair is done before it starts leaking.