Radiator Life Expectancy ???

[Spike555]

I'm coming up on the time of a rad replacement, 200K miles, 17 years old. It's amazing it has lasted this long, i have random times where i have to refill the coolant though, not sure where it went. OP (my brother in law) mixed coolants, red/green for about 5-6 years now, hasn't done any damage to the cooling system that i can see. If my rad does go, i'll do a full flush and refill with red coolant.

I have had to top off the reservoir twice now, one time about 8 months ago, the res was completely empty, i filled it up, looked for leaks and didn't find any. Yesterday, the res is now at below the "low" mark. Not sure where the coolant went, did a compression test and didn't find any leaks. ?? i'll fill it up again and keep an eye on it.

You're fine with the mixing of coolants, all automotive fluids must be compatible, SAE rules says so.

Just imagine if you could only use one brand of motor oil, or power steering fluid, or gear oil, or gasoline...

 

[abuck99]

You're fine with the mixing of coolants, all automotive fluids must be compatible, SAE rules says so.

Just imagine if you could only use one brand of motor oil, or power steering fluid, or gear oil, or gasoline...

NOT good information Spike- be clear about which coolants can possibly be mixed. For example: OAT type & Ethylene Glycol will kill your cooling system- see picture.

This will help with questions regarding mixing coolants.

The Ultimate Coolant Color Guide
The Ultimate Coolant Color Guide | Toyota Parts Center Blog


"Why You Should Never Mix the Coolants
Each type of coolant has its own formula made specifically for certain cars. Adding the wrong kind of coolant or topping off the reservoir with a different kind of coolant will affect the engine in a variety of ways.

For example, adding an OAT coolant to an older engine that requires the standard IAT green coolant will dilute the stuff the engine really needs – phosphates and silicates. As a result, the metal in your engine won’t get the protection it needs."

 

[abuck99]

To the OP's question: At 20 years you have certainly received excellent service from your radiator; you've been lucky. But if it were me, I would replace it. At $175 for the Denso replacement, its not worth the risk of it failing and causing more expensive damage. The Denso features the revised fin angle design put in the 04+factory radiators that provide a little better airflow.

 

[hoser]

I replaced my radiator with a Denso unit. IMO, the OE T.Rad radiator is of better quality. It is twice the price though... but comes with a new radiator cap and maybe the foam surround? Anybody know?

 

[Spike555]

NOT good information Spike- be clear about which coolants can possibly be mixed. For example: OAT type & Ethylene Glycol will kill your cooling system- see picture.

View attachment 1621264

This will help with questions regarding mixing coolants.

The Ultimate Coolant Color Guide
The Ultimate Coolant Color Guide | Toyota Parts Center Blog


"Why You Should Never Mix the Coolants
Each type of coolant has its own formula made specifically for certain cars. Adding the wrong kind of coolant or topping off the reservoir with a different kind of coolant will affect the engine in a variety of ways.

For example, adding an OAT coolant to an older engine that requires the standard IAT green coolant will dilute the stuff the engine really needs – phosphates and silicates. As a result, the metal in your engine won’t get the protection it needs."

This is true, I assume that no one uses the old green stuff anymore because it is very hard to find and it is now labeled as "classic green" and is meant for older cars and trucks, tractors etc. 99.9% of what anyone finds on the shelf at the store is going to be OAT coolant, and that is all fine to mix with other OAT coolants.
All of those are labeled as "universal" coolant.

 

[Spike555]

They stopped production of the old green stuff back in 2000, OAT and HOAT are all that is readily available to the public today.

J1034: Automobile and Light Truck Engine Coolant Concentrate Ethylene Glycol Type - SAE International

 

[bpe3]

My 2001 LX radiator lasted 15 years and nearly 200k miles. Cracked at top. Denso replacement was like $170 on Amazon plus a few bucks for upper and lower hoses. Easy PM IMO if you are committed to long term ownership.

bpe3

 

[Dwight S]

I got 270,000+ miles out of my original radiator. It wasn’t leaking, but I was chasing a warmer than normal coolant temperature. I replaced the radiator and top/bottom hoses. Mine had the browning plastic top tank, chipped top radiator hose nipple and a greasy looking spot with lots of bug remanants centered up behind the transmission cooler. No leak from transmission cooler. My cooling issue turned out to be a aftermarket thermostat.