In the market for a new one, besides OEM what might be a better choice? Although stock one has lasted roughly 14 years.
Radiator Suggestions
- Thread starter Giulitto
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me too
John suggested I look at getting one in the near future. Mine has 153k and I would like to replace it now for peace of mind. He suggested I just get a stock toyota radiator. This thing lasted 150k its made by toyota is obviously a good one. I saw one i the 500s on TRDParts4U, ut obviously CDan can probably beat their price..
John suggested I look at getting one in the near future. Mine has 153k and I would like to replace it now for peace of mind. He suggested I just get a stock toyota radiator. This thing lasted 150k its made by toyota is obviously a good one. I saw one i the 500s on TRDParts4U, ut obviously CDan can probably beat their price..
When I replaced mine I researched the aftermarket radiators and with the exception of the very expensive aluminum radiators from Man-A-Fre they all failed within a few years. Go with the OEM brass radiator from C-Dan and know it will last, I think it was around $400.
While your doing it consider doing the hoses, T-Stat, and water pump. The water pump is probably overkill since they are known to last the life of the vehicle but I did mine since I have the original HG and figured it was a little extra insurance.
While your doing it consider doing the hoses, T-Stat, and water pump. The water pump is probably overkill since they are known to last the life of the vehicle but I did mine since I have the original HG and figured it was a little extra insurance.
'94 is a brass rad.
Go OEM and replace all the hoses to and from while you are at it. $1200-1300 at a dealer. I had the top of mine split open on the grapevine a few years ago and had to have her towed down to the Yota dealer in Santa Clarita. Even with a AAA discount, it was around price quoted IIRC and that did include all the hoses too. Ouch!
Go OEM and replace all the hoses to and from while you are at it. $1200-1300 at a dealer. I had the top of mine split open on the grapevine a few years ago and had to have her towed down to the Yota dealer in Santa Clarita. Even with a AAA discount, it was around price quoted IIRC and that did include all the hoses too. Ouch!
The 94' brass rad will fit a 95'-97' that come stock with the aluminum rad. It is about $100-$200 cheaper but holds up just as well or better. I was surprised at the price difference when I ordered from C-Dan and went with brass for my 97'.
- Thread starter
- #6
John said the same for me also and now I am loosing coolant mostly from evaporation(i hope so). I have 173+ on mine.
- Thread starter
- #7
So OEM is the way to go.
To clear it up, the 94 radiator is brass and is more expensive and better than the newer models?
To clear it up, the 94 radiator is brass and is more expensive and better than the newer models?
I have a KOYO and it is fit form and function identical to OEM. It has been flawless for the last 20k miles. I believe i got it from radiator.com. Make sure you specify KOYO or you'll probably get something else. I dont remember the price, but I think it was mid $200s.
I took my 1991 plastic top but brass core radiator to a good quality radiator shop. they replaced the top tank (this used to be a serviceable item from toyota, but now they only sell the entire radiator). This part is available from other suppliers. It didn't rupture, but the seal around the top tank was seeping, and it's only a matter of time before the tank fails. The bottom tanks pretty much never fail, only the top ones.
My core was 40% plugged, and now it flows exactly like a new one, with the same quality of OEM. Cost was $120.
KOYO: I bought one for my 93 Camry recently, it started leaking within 1000 miles while I was 600 miles from home on vacation, basically in the middle of nowhere. I was pretty pissed. I dumped in a bottle of stopleak to complete my vacation. It worked. Koyo said to take it back to the dealer I bought it from, they wouldn't deal with me. the dealer said to bring it in and they would send it to Koyo for testing. If it tested faulty, they'd give me another radiator. This process would take 2-3 weeks!! Meanwhile my car is down, that's not acceptable. The stop leak worked so well that it permanently (apparently) sealed up the leak, so I'm still driving it that way.
I'm not going to be buying any more Koyo products again, even if they are a toyota OEM supplier. Their customer support is non-existent. And their junk is no longer made in Japan, they make their radiators in China, India, and eastern Europe.
And the parts house I bought the radiator from? Fuggedaboutit!
Before I decided to have my OEM radiator re-topped and rodded out, I was going to buy an all-brass CSF radiator. I've heard good things from cruiserheads that have used them, so that's another option for you.
My core was 40% plugged, and now it flows exactly like a new one, with the same quality of OEM. Cost was $120.
KOYO: I bought one for my 93 Camry recently, it started leaking within 1000 miles while I was 600 miles from home on vacation, basically in the middle of nowhere. I was pretty pissed. I dumped in a bottle of stopleak to complete my vacation. It worked. Koyo said to take it back to the dealer I bought it from, they wouldn't deal with me. the dealer said to bring it in and they would send it to Koyo for testing. If it tested faulty, they'd give me another radiator. This process would take 2-3 weeks!! Meanwhile my car is down, that's not acceptable. The stop leak worked so well that it permanently (apparently) sealed up the leak, so I'm still driving it that way.
I'm not going to be buying any more Koyo products again, even if they are a toyota OEM supplier. Their customer support is non-existent. And their junk is no longer made in Japan, they make their radiators in China, India, and eastern Europe.
And the parts house I bought the radiator from? Fuggedaboutit!
Before I decided to have my OEM radiator re-topped and rodded out, I was going to buy an all-brass CSF radiator. I've heard good things from cruiserheads that have used them, so that's another option for you.
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can't remember who but someone had mentioned getting their radiator from here:
https://www.radiatorbarn.com/
https://www.radiatorbarn.com/
- Thread starter
- #12
Where is this place you speak of that did the top tank/seal. I wouldn't mind saving a little cash. Was the work guaranteed?