How brown is too brown? (Radiator)

[KFunk740]

I’ve seen references to plastic turning brown on the radiator before it cracks. Well, is this too brown? Just wondering how much of an emergency it is to do a preventative replacement before some long trips. It’s a ‘99 with 183k, don’t know much history beyond the baseline PM I’ve done the last couple years.

 

[nukegoat]

Nah

 

[TLC Dan]

I just replaced mine proactively on my 98 @ 209K. It looked browner than yours. I now know that it is good for another 20 years. I went with OE Toyota p/n 16400-50360 ($390) It was much easier doing it in my garage enjoying a cold one then it would have been on the side of the road........

 

[bamabrock]

if brown, flush it down

 

[abuck99]

If seen much worse here. Yours isnt too bad. Monitor and drive it. Maybe replace during next timing belt service. How old is the coolant? Heater T’s etc?

 

[TLCJC]

My 99 LX radiator started a slow leak just after 209,000 miles. Been filling with water and antifreeze until now without overheat. It’s starting to warm up in Virginia though.

LX is at over 215,000 miles now and will get the replacement radiator new week.

Ps. Power steering high pressure connector started to leak at 215,000 also and will be replaced.

 

[CloudCity]

You can often see a crackle pattern starting to appear on really bad ones, but for this one I'd just keep an eye on the neck area and where it meets the fins, as long as those aren't showing leaks you should be good.

 

[HRTROB]

My ‘02 has 76,000km (47.5k miles) and it looks more brown than yours

 

[hoser]

@HRTROB and all your plastic reservoirs look really brown for 48k miles. There's no white lettering on your oil filler cap. Any chance your odometer was rolled back? What country is your LX originally from?

 

[HRTROB]

@HRTROB and all your plastic reservoirs look really brown for 48k miles. There's no white lettering on your oil filler cap. Any chance your odometer was rolled back? What country is your LX originally from?

It was imported new from the Middle East. Bought it from the first owner who is a just couple or streets away from where I live. It’s possible the odometer was rolled back, but the previous owner has four other cars (all of which are diesels) so the lower mileage made sense to me. In my experience, some plastic yellow due to age not just mileage. Here’s my 2011 200 with 45,000km (28k miles). We are the first owner.

The white lettering on the oil cap might be a US-only thing. Here are some photos of 2UZs with black oil caps

 

[bluesquirrel]

Brown is too brown. Mine exploded after it turned brown

 

[hoser]

It was imported new from the Middle East. Bought it from the first owner who is a just couple or streets away from where I live. It’s possible the odometer was rolled back, but the previous owner has four other cars (all of which are diesels) so the lower mileage made sense to me. In my experience, some plastic yellow due to age not just mileage. Here’s my 2011 200 with 45,000km (28k miles). We are the first owner.

The white lettering on the oil cap might be a US-only thing. Here are some photos of 2UZs with black oil caps

Yes, you are probably correct about the oil cap. I believe mine says 5w-30 which might not be the recommended oil for a Middle Eastern 100. My reservoirs are 4 years older and with 4x the mileage and look much clearer than yours. Might just be your higher ambient temperature.

 

[atnolan94]

As someone whose radiator burst. Replace it. Cheap insurance....mine burst 200 miles from home.

 

[CloudCity]

The white lettering on the oil cap might be a US-only thing. Here are some photos of 2UZs with black oil caps

It would make sense, here in the US we have to put "Do Not Drink" on bleach bottles and "Caution: Hot!!!" on a damned cup of coffee, so making it obvious that's for oil and not, oh I dunno, soup, is probably necessary to avoid lawsuits.