Replacing a Radiator

[mildew Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close mildew]

My automatic GX 2005 has travelled 153,000 KM on both petrol and gas and the radiator has recently developed a leak requiring replacement. This is the second time this has happened. The first happened just after it came out of new car warranty and that was 3 1/2 years ago. I'm wondering if the fact that the engine runs a lot hotter on gas could be the cause or at least a contributing factor.

Anyway the radiator needs replacing now. Whilst I'm not a mechanic I'm reasonably handing around the home so thought I'd give it a go myself, although it scares the s#*t out of me. My question - how difficult will this be and should I be attempting this at all. My plan is to renew the thermostat at the same time. I live in Mandurah WA.

Old fart but prepared to have a go. I bought the Toyota Repair Manual a few years ago and after reading this it doesn't look too hard.

Any advice would be appreciated.

[Anth120playdo Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Anth120playdo]

Pretty simple job. Give it a go.
I'd avoid genuine I find they often leak after 3 years or so.
Hey John I'm surpised you didn't recommend that full alloy one?
I put a Chinese one in mine, someone has to test out the cheap stuff :-)
All the cheaper radiators I use in customers cars are Chinese now, I'm not sure if any are made in Aus.
Don't ave any issues with them.

[SWR Banned Find all posts View Profile Close SWR]

Hi Guys

+1 on the roo's advice!

ALSO!: Given that you have lost 2 x radiators in such a short time to corrosion and maybe if you have a electrical accessories hanging of your rig you may need to rule out "Cooling System Electrolysis!" as this will eat anything aluminum if the cooling system is being electrically charged due to a bad earths or any electrical shorting of sorts!

Here is link below to help point you in the right direction for checking your coolant system for being electrically charged! (Therese heaps of info on this).
http://www.google.com.au/#hl=en&suge...w=1366&bih=620

I also personally used the Nulon concentrate as appose to the Toyota stuff as it is cheaper ($58 x 5Ltr) and just as good but if not better! lol
http://www.nulon.com.au/products/Coo.../#.US3U4FfUJwE

If you are slightly mechanically minded you will save a $$$'s if you can do it your self! ... If you have the tools and time then why not! ... Invest in a workshop manual first then decide if want to give it ago!

Toyota Land Cruiser Prado Petrol Diesel 1996 2009
http://www.google.com.au/#hl=en&scli...w=1366&bih=620

I would also weigh-up a new radiator Vs recon as a new genuine toyota radiator cost's over $670 and there was a change-over in part numbers on the radiator so you need the correct built date of your vehicle. EG01/2003 - 09/2004) & (11/2004 - )

Cheers

[Bushbasher Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Bushbasher]

Try Natrad and also Coventrys (they quite often sell OEM at cheaper prices than the dealer). You could also enquire with Brown's in Perth. They do some neat larger core alloy jobs.

[mildew Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close mildew]

Well I finally went for a Chinese one as I'll probably only have the vehicle for another 2 or 3 years. Hoping it lasts and saved me heaps up front. Thieving ba$#*&ds at Toyota wanted $970 for the OEM (part only). Denso was $470. Now I need to buy a new thermostat and gasket as I want to replace these when I replace the radiator. Toyota says it only comes with the housing and is $97. bugger. Anyone know where I can buy just the thermostat?

[mildew Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close mildew]

Urgent reply needed please

I have the radiator, thermostat and cap and ready to go with this project. Just one more question before I start.

I bought 10 litres of Nulon red long life coolant concentrate for the job but realised when I read the instructions I should dilute this 50% by adding 5 litres to 5 litres of demineralised water. My question is can I use just the concentrate 9.7 litres as per the Toyots repair manual and bypass the demineralised water or will this harm the system. Doing this job Sunday so an early reply would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Jeff

[SWR Banned Find all posts View Profile Close SWR]

Gday mildew

If you bought the concentrate you do have to dilute it!.. 9.7ltr is the total cooling system fluid capacity!

Pour the full 5Ltr of coolant concentrate in first (.3 = 300ml extra wont hurt the system) then top up cooling system with de-mineralised water only. (4.85Ltr of coolant concentrate if 50/50 mix).

That coolant that you chose has a 5yrs or 250,000km guarantee so best to get a refund on the other 5Ltr bottle.

Cheers

[Anth120playdo Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Anth120playdo]

DO NOT USE NULON RED AS A RED SUBSTITUTE FOR ANY VEHICLE INCLUDING TOYOTA OR FORDS OR HOLDENS
I used to use it, just about every thing leaks.
I think the lubricants in it cause more leaks.
Just my experience.
even ford tried it in their Au, everything was leaking, so they went back to the old green formula.
When it goes red, orange, or pink I use genuine only.

It's a common problem these genuine radiators.
This is one time I will say, don't use genuine.
I have a $270 el cheapo eBay special in mine.
At the start I was concerned, but it's all good so far.

It's best to pre mix the coolant rather than pour 5 lt in and the add water.
It doesn't always fit, depends what vehicles, but it's often less than what a book says.

[mjrandom Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close mjrandom]

Does it really say demineralised water? I would have expected distilled water. Two different things entirely.

[mildew Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close mildew]

Does it really say demineralised water? I would have expected distilled water. Two different things entirely.

yes it does say demineralised. Where can I buy that?

[SWR Banned Find all posts View Profile Close SWR]

@ #############

Q = DO NOT USE NULON RED AS A RED SUBSTITUTE FOR ANY VEHICLE INCLUDING TOYOTA OR FORDS OR HOLDENS
I used to use it, just about every thing leaks.

A = I couldn't help but notice you live in Victoria!!... The land of hard water dude!... If you don't use either De-mineralised water or distilled (Both basically the F#%@*ing the same?) then the water will be carrying positive ions in the water which will promote atrolisis of the cooling system. (Loves anything aluminum).... This is why descaling tabs for ya kettles and coffee machines in Victoria are popular in Victoria and not NSW (Your water is in Victoria is loaded with minerals hence the water is hard).

If you buy pri-mixed then they have taken the stupidity out of the equation for you! EG: Pri diluted with de-minerised or distilled water (Both basically the same?).. Meaning removing positive ions and becoming non conductive.

Correct me if i lack cred but don't you back flush the cooling system?.... When finished back-flushing guess how much water is sitting in the engine block/hoses and internal heater core?

If i was to put 4.85Ltr of coolant concentrate into the cooling system that only holds a total of 9.7ltr wouldn't it be safe to say that the coolant ratio is exactly 50/50 once topped with distilled or de-mineralised??

Here is some more stupid questions for you to answer for me!

#1 Who makes and supplies engine oils/diff and gearbox oils for Toyota?

#2 Who makes and supplies engine coolant for Toyota?

#3 Who makes and supplies oil and fuel filters for Toyota?

#4 Who makes and supplies brake fluid for Toyota?

#5 Who makes and supplies surpentine and drive belts for Toyota?

#6 Is denso Toyota?

#7 Does Toyota make its own paint when painting the car?

Answer all the above and somewhere you may here a penny drop!! Lol

And Lastly!!! Which way does the coolant flow in the coolant system and why?... I do know the answer to this and this is not a trick question! EG: Is it from the top of the rasdiator to the bottom or visa versa?

@ mildew

You can buy deminerised or distilled water from coles or woolies in home brand in 1ltr bottles.

Cheers

[SWR Banned Find all posts View Profile Close SWR]

Gday Roo

With the 1KD-FTVs, the SLLC Toyota coolant (pink) gets put in as is. No mixing of this coolant (SLLC).
The Roo.

I am not out to start a war but i have to dissagree based on facts which is what i always endevor to chase!

1. Toyota -
TSB - PG010-02 in 2002 says "The new pink coolant is 100% compatible with the current red coolant and red coolant can be used to replace, top off, or mix in with the pink coolant with no adverse effects."

ENGINE_COOLANT_COLOR_CHANGE_T-PG010-02(1)
http://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&rc...,d.dGI&cad=rja

Cheers

[chester ver 2.0 Member Find all posts View Profile Close chester ver 2.0]

I will agree with above when i bought my 1KZ TE the coolant was pink and the replacement coolant done by toyota was pink as well

[Anth120playdo Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Anth120playdo]

Skywalkerrun

I think you have it mixed up, in Vic we don't have hard water, that's s.a dude.
It's not a water problem, it is a problem occurring with nulon red, genuine coolants or green are fine, even with the same water.

Not going to go down the trying to prove who knows more sh!t about who and what so you win!!!!!! You are the gun

Regardless of who makes anything, it's does not mean the formula is the same based on the dye color.

simple, I'm sharing my very strong opinion based on facts from experience of myself and other vehicle techs in Vic

Every Toyota workshop I have ever spoken to says you cannot mix red & pink in any way or amounts, you better let them know to mix the chemicals s ok now, because when they do it, it coagulates, blocks sh!t up???????????

Ting ting ting a few penny's are dropping....... :???:

[Anth120playdo Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Anth120playdo]

I will agree with above when i bought my 1KZ TE the coolant was pink and the replacement coolant done by toyota was pink as well

You can put either coolant in the vehicles.
They say don't mix them.
Pink is supposed to be better. It does idiotproof the mix as it is pre mixed.
Personally I like the red.

See simple.......