Replace radiator preventatively (1 Viewer)

[RockyLC]

Replaced mine today. Took a few hours. Thanks for all the advice and tips. I found this thread to be very useful.

Radiator Change Today- Questions

Cheers.

 

[Dox]

I did mine at 260k as a preventative move. Was doing fan assembly tb, and water pump. I explore a lot so it wasn’t worth it for me to be stranded in the middle of nowhere when I could mitigate that risk.

 

[shadow247]

My vote goes to Replacement now. Mine looked totally fine, went to check it, and the filler neck developed a pinhole leak overnight. I was going on a road trip in 2 weeks, so no way was I taking a chance. I didn't think to take pics, but my rad didn't seem that "brown" until I compared it to the new one. It was definitely rotten. I think it makes sense to do it now.

 

[RockyLC]

Radiator replaced! Is there anyone that would buy the old one with a crack in the top plastic?

 

[flintknapper]

My vote goes to Replacement now. Mine looked totally fine, went to check it, and the filler neck developed a pinhole leak overnight. I was going on a road trip in 2 weeks, so no way was I taking a chance. I didn't think to take pics, but my rad didn't seem that "brown" until I compared it to the new one. It was definitely rotten. I think it makes sense to do it now.

Not a bad idea. I replaced the radiator on my LX470 due to a leak in the crimp seal, not a big deal...had plenty of warning. Conversely, the plastic top on the radiator of my 80 series failed catastrophically (long split) with no warning or indication of pending failure, except for the brown color of the plastic.

Fortunately...I was within a 1/4 mile of home when that happened.

I leave it to each person to decide whether or not it is appropriate to 'preventatively' replace an older radiator. But if you have a radiator with a plastic top and bottom...at least take a good look at it from time to time. How each person uses their vehicle and the seriousness of breaking down can vary widely and should dictate your actions.

 

[Das Shtig]

Just did mine as well @ 230k miles, preventatively. I was changing some things in the vicinity and saw the faded plastic and was afraid it might crumble if I messed with it too much. After I took it out, I found it seemed fairly solid... but I started to test it by scratching it with my fingernail and it began peeling away fairly quickly.... I feel good about having replaced it! (Got a Denso off amazon)

 

[Das Shtig]

How each person uses their vehicle and the seriousness of breaking down can vary widely and should dictate your actions.

Totally agree on this point. I routinely drive it hundreds of miles in a day for work, and I like to roam around the national forests fairly frequently, so I really need a dependable vehicle (hence buying a LC in the first place... well, LX, technically).

 

[landarcht]

Can someone confirm this would be a direct fit (even though it says so)? It is the Mexico Spec. I assume it comes with its own foam lining?

 

[landarcht]

Apology if this is a repeat as I thought I posted earlier. Can someone confirm this is a 100% fit with foam lining even though this is Mexico Spec?

 

[willmtaylor]

I can 100% confirm it worked in my 2005, and 100% confirm I’ll never order from ToyotaPartsDeal again.

 

[2001LC]

Rrdering online and having commercially shipped (UPS, USPS, FEDEX, etc), is asking for damage. For this reason, I buy locally and pick-up myself. Worth the extra time & $$ IMHO.