Radiator leaking

[WulfSeven]

Hey all,

I saw the coolant reservoir tank being almost bone-dry in my '94 Camry (5S-FE engine) and that is a definitive cause for concern since it didn't happen before until now. The engine didn't overheat, the temp gauge needle never gone above the middle mark. I'm seeing dried green coolant at the edge of the top end of the radiator but no coolant that I can find around the radiator's cap.

The radiator is fugly though, a great deal of black paint coating the top end of the radiator chipped off exposing what appear to be brass. That and the leak somewhere mean the radiator has got to go. I won't deal with plugging the leak with a bottle or solder. Anyone know of a reputable online site that sell new or well-made remanufactured radiator?

[RningOnFumes]

Sounds like the typical hairline crack when it comes to the camries. Try the online retailer here or just even your local AZ or something, they're cheap. Look to spend something around 120-150. 120 sounds about right.

If you want a write up, there is one lying around here.

[Kep]

The OEM style are plastic and metal. You can find replacements that are entirely metal. I tend to feel that these are stronger (no proof, just gut feel). I would encourage you to find one of these. Make sure that the fittings for the ATF are correct.

Kep

[toyomoho]

Suggest picking up a radiator locally, the issue with mail order is they can get banged up during shipping resulting in leaks. Find one with a lifetime warranty, if problems you can return it locally.

[eurohazard]

I bought my radiator from Ebay. I pain about 1/3 of what local shops wanted. 3 years later, it has performed perfectly.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/92-93-94-95-96-TOYOTA-CAMRY-SUPERIOR-2-2L-RADIATOR_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33602QQihZ002Q QitemZ120271655426QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW
^ This is the guy I used ^

I think the price was a few bucks cheaper 3 years ago, but $60 to-the-door is awesome. This looks to be same radiator I got too....aluminum instead of steel....lighter and cools better.

[WulfSeven]

Thanks RningsOnFume, the hairline cracks is definitely what it was when I checked the radiator again. It was much worse than I thought would be so no point in waiting for days or even a week for a new radiator to come in when I have to use the car. I got the radiator replaced, it was definitely similiar to what EuroHazard recommended although at higher cost since the Camry is the only ride I got so I'm under pressure to get it going for the 9 to 6 job every weekday. I got to say it was my first radiator job other than tackling the heater core in a Ford Escort, the Camry's radiator is definitely easier than spending 8+ hours removing the damn Escort's dashboard out and putting it all back in. I'm keeping watch on the new radiator and the coolant tank. So far about 40 miles driven with the new radiator, it's all going well.