Need advice on a coolant leak on my '09 (1 Viewer)

[qatari09]

Hello everyone! Long time lurker and unfortunately hit my first big issue with the car. I have an 09 model GXR V8 with 150k km (93k mi) out here in Qatar and it looks like the top of the radiator has cracked.

I need your advice whether to replace the radiator or follow the mechanics advice and only change the top plastic part of the radiator.

I'll attach a photo of the piece the local mechanics showed me. The repair with labour costs and part costs is $68.

 

[vipergrhd]

Don't do it! Get a Toyota or Denso replacement. A used factory radiator will be a better replacement than that stupid cap.

 

[xeuxaz]

New radiator. Don’t **** around.

 

[doru]

Love overseas prices for labor, $68 including the parts...
Anyway, you hit one of the known failures. Unfortunately, you did not know about it to prepare in advance. Now that you have to fix it, fix it right so you never have to deal with it again. Yes, the tank can be replaced but one of the common failures of the modern (plastic tank) radiators is at the join between tanks (plastic) and the core (aluminum).
In an emergency the fix your mechanic suggests will work, but the question here is the longevity of the repair. With a new (redesigned) radiator from Toyota the fix will be for life of the truck.
You know how long you want to keep the truck, so you decide.

 

[05ls430518]

Get a replacement radiator these are not brass radiators that you could recondition and repair these are plastic throwaway units that are not serviceable.