Slight Radiator leak (05 GX470, 113k)

[85badger]

A couple of weeks ago I noticed a red drop of coolant on the garage floor, thought to myself "no big deal, water pump is leaking, I'll change it when I do the timing belt...". While changing the oil tonight, I noticed that it's leaking from the lower driver side radiator corner, very slight. Here's the question...I'm taking the family on a 3k mile trip in 2 weeks will it be fine or should I change rad, timing belt, etc before the trip? I really don't like major mechanical changes before trips. What to do?

 

[little_joe]

Which do you like least? Traveling after major mechanical changes, or traveling with known mechanical issues?

Have you been able to isolate exactly where the leak is? i.e is it the tank, the core?

 

[mercedeezel]

our GX had the same issue. IIRC, the leak was where the black plastic sides/caps of the radiator were clamped to the aluminum core. toyota red had crystalized around the leak. it took my slow a$$ less than 2 hrs to change the radiator by myself. i would replace the rad before your trip.

 

[GXO]

Fix it. Nuff said. Cheaper than an engine.

 

[IanB]

I've also had to replace the rad on our GX470, it was noticed while doing the timing belt/water pump service. Just crystallized coolant on the rad core, never leaked enough to drop to the floor.

I'd do it before a major roadtrip, no question.

 

[85badger]

I decided to replace it tomorrow, got the new radiator and Toyota Red Antifreeze. I'll do the timing belt and other related parts at a later date after the trip.

 

[85badger]

Done! Took me about an hour to remove and replace. Drained the block and replaced with red antifreeze and distilled water, that took a little longer though.

 

[Mlachica]

I would have replaced it before the trip as well.

That's a very common leak with our GX's. Mine had it when I first bought it with 64k miles, fortunately I got Lexus to cover it, along with the rear driveshaft clunk.

 

[TXLX100]

I can't count how many I've seen leak in that corner on GX's. I guess whoever designed it or tooled the radiator making machine was having a bad day.

 

[phishtaco]

Is this common on the t4r also? 143k on my 04 and I haven't noticed anything.

 

[Marc311]

I don't know why it would be any different on a V8 4Runner. The replacement Koyo radiators now have a cut in the sides. It looks like a manufacturing defect, but it is there for heat expansion. I guess the theory is that the seam fails as it is constantly expanding and contracting (at a different rate than the plastic). The cut must prevent some warping. There are also radiators made of all metal that I assume cure the issue.