98 LC with 210K mi. Have installed four radiators in 2021. All have failed. Last radiator install included head rebuild, new gaskets and head bolts; new thermostat, new radiator cap. This LC runs very well, does not leak oil or use oil, and does not overheat, but I can't seem fix repeated blown radiator issue. Thoughts or suggestions please.
Failed radiators
- Thread starter piuneve
- Start date
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How are the radiators failing?
- Thread starter
- #3
Rupturing on the bottom. Also, when I first turn off the truck, I smell coolant and the upper radiator hose is very firm.
Same person installing these? are the same brand of radiator? Not much to go on.
- Thread starter
- #5
Same shop doing install. First two radiators were not OEM, last two were OEM.
So the radiator is blowing apart at the seams, do you have any pictures to share? You mentioned the upper hose is very firm, isn't that normal when the vehicle is hot? I don't see what else could cause all that pressure in there other than something head gasket related but I haven't experienced this before so I'll bow out of this one.
- Thread starter
- #7
I will post some pictures. As for the firm upper hose, I agree that it should be somewhat firm, but two shops have noted that it seemed excessive.
One or two is one thing. But four is getting to the point to where there has to something else going on. There has to be pressure building up. I would think that it would take an insane amount of pressure to blow out the seal on one of the side tanks though.
76lcmike
relax
are you overheating? radiators normally don't blow apart, they leak or melt.
obviously getting too much pressure from some source, only source that would do that is compression and or overheating.
all gaskets installed correctly? fans working?? t-stat?? air bled out???? sounds like installation or inspection error on previous repairs. logical conclusion.
take it back to who did the repairs, tell them to call you when repaired correctly. at their expense.
obviously getting too much pressure from some source, only source that would do that is compression and or overheating.
all gaskets installed correctly? fans working?? t-stat?? air bled out???? sounds like installation or inspection error on previous repairs. logical conclusion.
take it back to who did the repairs, tell them to call you when repaired correctly. at their expense.
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- Thread starter
- #10
Does not overheat. T-stat is new and new one was installed with each radiator. Here are some pictures. Let me know if other shots are needed. Thanks everyone for your help.
hoser
SILVER Star
How do you know it doesn't overheat? Are you using the instrument cluster gauge as a measurement tool or something else?
JunkCrzr89
Competent Ignoramoose
Looks like the top seam is leaking, not the bottom. Has the radiator cap been replaced or you’ve just kept using the same one on each radiator? A failed cap will cause pressure to build excessively, and if the hoses from radiator to overflow tank are clogged, pressure very well could build to the point of busting the seams.
- Thread starter
- #13
Instrument cluster gauge only.
I have used a new radiator cap with each install. Have not checked hoses from radiator to overflow tank.. Will do so.
Just checked hose from radiator to overflow tank. It is clear.
There is evidence of leakage at the top seam of the radiator as well.
hoser
SILVER Star
The gauge in the instrument cluster is said to be "numb" around the lower-middle to middle-upper range. A scangauge or other temp device would be helpful in troubleshooting. Does your A/C ever shut-off on it's own? Verify your fan-clutch is working?
P.S. are there bubbles showing in your reservoir when fully warmed up?
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A google search of blown radiator tanks I found a couple of forums non Toyota related that the cause ended up being head gasket failure. One came up in the 80 series forum.
forum.ih8mud.com
You mentioned the head gaskets were replaced along with head rebuild. Without knowing the shop that did the work and how well the work was performed it’s possible head gasket/s failed again. But head gasket failures in these engines are rare.
Radiator Blew
Mine blew two years ago and I went with a Koyo, new hoses and new thermo. It's been holding up great (knocking on wood as it is 100 today and 104 tomorrow). ;)
forum.ih8mud.com
You mentioned the head gaskets were replaced along with head rebuild. Without knowing the shop that did the work and how well the work was performed it’s possible head gasket/s failed again. But head gasket failures in these engines are rare.
76lcmike
relax
is it possible, the radiator support brackets, or support are bent causing stress on the radiator or are the support bracket bolts to long and cracking the tanks????A google search of blown radiator tanks I found a couple of forums non Toyota related that the cause ended up being head gasket failure. One came up in the 80 series forum.
You mentioned the head gaskets were replaced along with head rebuild. Without knowing the shop that did the work and how well the work was performed it’s possible head gasket/s failed again. But head gasket failures in these engines are rare.Radiator Blew
Mine blew two years ago and I went with a Koyo, new hoses and new thermo. It's been holding up great (knocking on wood as it is 100 today and 104 tomorrow). ;)
76lcmike
relax
Cap is OEM? Whats the pressure rating on it?
Are you sure they mounted the radiator correctly? I installed my new Denso radiator 4 days ago and you must slide the radiator on to two bottom cushions properly to get the radiator to be mounted without a strain. I had to use WD40 to push the radiator onto the rubber mount. Without WD40, it was not going completely onto the bushing. Are all 4 rubber mounts installed?
One more, those constant hose clamps might be too right leading to a crak.
Locate where exactly it is leaking. MAy be due to a twist, the aluminum tabs have come loose? So ensure the radiator is properly mounted to two bottom cushions (cushiosn are near the fram rails) 12 mm bolts.
Check the reservior tank tube. It cannot be clogged to release pressure.
Are you sure they mounted the radiator correctly? I installed my new Denso radiator 4 days ago and you must slide the radiator on to two bottom cushions properly to get the radiator to be mounted without a strain. I had to use WD40 to push the radiator onto the rubber mount. Without WD40, it was not going completely onto the bushing. Are all 4 rubber mounts installed?
One more, those constant hose clamps might be too right leading to a crak.
Locate where exactly it is leaking. MAy be due to a twist, the aluminum tabs have come loose? So ensure the radiator is properly mounted to two bottom cushions (cushiosn are near the fram rails) 12 mm bolts.
Check the reservior tank tube. It cannot be clogged to release pressure.
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JunkCrzr89
Competent Ignoramoose
More likely that the shop put the gasket on upside down or backwards and blocked a port.A google search of blown radiator tanks I found a couple of forums non Toyota related that the cause ended up being head gasket failure. One came up in the 80 series forum.
Radiator Blew
Mine blew two years ago and I went with a Koyo, new hoses and new thermo. It's been holding up great (knocking on wood as it is 100 today and 104 tomorrow). ;)
You mentioned the head gaskets were replaced along with head rebuild. Without knowing the shop that did the work and how well the work was performed it’s possible head gasket/s failed again. But head gasket failures in these engines are rare.
If compression is entering the coolant channels, wouldn't the radiator cap should open before it ruptures the upper tank?
