I'm guessing it'll need a new radiator: Leaks at the bottom?

[ctor]

Welp.

I've been battling a coolant leak for a while in my 2000 LC. It has roughly 85,000 miles on it. I first noticed leaks at the clamps, which I replaced with Breeze constant torque clamps. Then the radiator drain petcock started leaking, which was likewise replaced. Finally, on Friday, I noticed a large pool of coolant below the radiator, forward of the Cruiser. It doesn't appear to leak during idle, but after a short drive around the block, it'll spill a bit of coolant (maybe 2 to 4 oz) before the leak stops.

Apologies for the Very Bad Photo, but it looks like I'll need to replace the radiator altogether?

Anyway, I thought I'd ask if the leaks near the bottom of the radiator are repairable, or if it's simply better/easier to replace the entire unit. I've read through the Big Long Radiator Thread and it looks like the general consensus is to go with OEM. Koyo as an alternative. Thoughts?

Thanks!

 

[hoser]

Obviously, the seam is wet but also stick your camera phone in the fan shroud and take pics to see if the leak is from the core. Leaks are typically easy to find when you are using Toyota red/pink fluid. Are you using it?

 

[ctor]

stick your camera phone in the fan shroud and take pics to see if the leak is from the core.

Yep, using Toyota red/pink... Here's the best pic I could take of the core itself... I *think* that reddish hue near the bottom of the radiator is actually the brown dust you can see all over the radiator in the first pic. I'll get under the Cruiser later this afternoon and look more closely at the seam and whatever else I can get to.

Thanks for your time!

 

[shtbrwn86]

That's the same place mine leaked. It was only a year old, OEM done by the dealer. replaced it with a Koyo and so far so good a year later.

 

[hoser]

If it is indeed leaking at the seam and I wanted to attempt this repair..... (or prolong the ultimate replacement), I'd take a floor jack, 2x4 wood and gently lift up on the bottom of the radiator. The purpose of the wood is to distribute the pressure evenly without cracking the plastic tank. And then take pliers and a small hammer and bend each tab to tighten the seal. This is akin to tightening your valve cover bolts. Basically, the rubber gasket shrinks over time and then it weeps or leaks. I believe, Toyota used to sell radiator replacement parts like end tanks and gasket but not anymore.

Edit: I believe your tabs are supposed to look like below pic. Yours is separating. Why? I dunno but perhaps excessive pressure in the system? The radiator cap is a maintenance item as well and should be change periodically. I'd say every 90k. Too much pressure could cause this. Not enough anti-freeze and the water froze? I don't know, I can only guess.

 

[shtbrwn86]

If it is indeed leaking at the seam and I wanted to attempt this repair..... (or prolong the ultimate replacement), I'd take a floor jack, 2x4 wood and gently lift up on the bottom of the radiator. The purpose of the wood is to distribute the pressure evenly without cracking the plastic tank. And then take pliers and a small hammer and bend each tab to tighten the seal. This is akin to tightening your valve cover bolts. Basically, the rubber gasket shrinks over time and then it weeps or leaks. I believe, Toyota used to sell radiator replacement parts like end tanks and gasket but not anymore.

Edit: I believe your tabs are supposed to look like below pic. Yours is separating. Why? I dunno but perhaps excessive pressure in the system? The radiator cap is a maintenance item as well and should be change periodically. I'd say every 90k. Too much pressure could cause this. Not enough anti-freeze and the water froze? I don't know, I can only guess.

View attachment 2742266

This^^^^
When was your radiator cap replaced? My whole system was leaking all over the place; hoses, thermostat housing etc. digging through the records from PO the dealer suggested a new radiator cap and he declined, saying he would do that part himself. I’m guessing he just never did? It did it too late? I don’t know it that was the case but it made the most sense to me and I’ve not have a leak sense.

 

[ctor]

When was your radiator cap replaced?

Good question: When I bought the Cruiser last November, I replaced the upper and lower radiator hoses, thermostat, radiator cap, and heater-Ts and completely drained/replaced the existing coolant with Toyota red/pink. I don't know exactly how long I've had this leak, but maybe it's been since purchase and I just didn't realize it.

If it is indeed leaking at the seam and I wanted to attempt this repair.....

Sounds doable... But I'm thinking at this point, I'm better off simply replacing the whole unit... Sounds like I *could* fix it based on your suggestions though, just to get by at least.

replaced it with a Koyo and so far so good a year later.

Any chance you know Koyo the model off-hand? Is it A2282?

Thanks y'all for your help, much appreciated!

 

[shtbrwn86]

Good question: When I bought the Cruiser last November, I replaced the upper and lower radiator hoses, thermostat, radiator cap, and heater-Ts and completely drained/replaced the existing coolant with Toyota red/pink. I don't know exactly how long I've had this leak, but maybe it's been since purchase and I just didn't realize it.



Sounds doable... But I'm thinking at this point, I'm better off simply replacing the whole unit... Sounds like I *could* fix it based on your suggestions though, just to get by at least.



Any chance you know Koyo the model off-hand? Is it A2282?

Thanks y'all for your help, much appreciated!

I do not. I bought one on Amazon and it was damaged in shipping and given the time crunch I took it to a shop and they used the koyo. I found a shop that specializes in radiators and out the door was like $550. Worth it in my opinion.

 

[robgv]

Does Koyo make an all-aluminum radiator for the 100 series?