OEM Radiator

[White95Cam]

Well my original radiator has started to leak coolant from the plastic top. The very few parts that have been replaced on my car since it was new have been OEM so I decided to purchase my new rad from Toyota. I have read many reviews on aftermarket ones and almost all of them had some kind of complaint with leaks or fitment. I did not want to compromise the reliability of my car because I still take very long trips and did not want to be setting on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere with a dry cooling system.

The best price I found was from Toyotapartseast.com. The rad was 500.16, shipping was 54.67 and it came with a new radiator cap.
W95c

[pmesfun]

I believe tyc radiators from rock auto is a koyo rebox. Koyo is a very good brand. The rad costs about $120 from rock auto. I'm getting one of those when my original goes.

[BMR]

$500+ for a radiator?!?! I'd have a hard time justifying that price.

My Camry's on it's third, as of last summer. The second one was a Modine that lasted as long as the OEM. But they're not around anymore. The third one I put in was a free replacement for the lifetime-warrantied Modine. It was a no-name made in China brand; I forget exactly the name... whatever Autozone carries, probably. No issues with it yet, but it's only been a year or so. Build quality seemed OK to me.

[hill8570]

+1 on Koyo. Good rad. I've heard they're one of the OEMs for Toyota, but can't say for certain.

[mazdaverx7]

Koyo is top of the line in my book for radiator replacement. i also can't justify $500 for a new radiator. however, you just can't beat the oem quality. usually you get what you pay for. with the oem unit, you know it'll last for more than a decade and fit properly the first. time. i'm on the original radiator in my 92 SE with 131K miles. you know the new radiator will be good for 100K plus miles.

[White95Cam]

Originally Posted by mazdaverx7

Koyo is top of the line in my book for radiator replacement. i also can't justify $500 for a new radiator. however, you just can't beat the oem quality. usually you get what you pay for. with the oem unit, you know it'll last for more than a decade and fit properly the first. time. i'm on the original radiator in my 92 SE with 131K miles. you know the new radiator will be good for 100K plus miles.

I realize that $500 is a lot of money but I wanted a raditor that would fit correctly and last 15 years. I have read both good and bad about all the rads mentioned here so I just purchased the OEM for my peace of mind. I did save $150 by ordering it on line because my local dealer quoted me $650 for one.
W95c

[mazdaverx7]

i don't think you'll have a problem getting 15+ years out of that oem radiator. mine is oem and has 131K miles and is19 years old. not a leak and the temp has always been perfect.

[adalex]

i hope u didn't spend that much, even at my local dealership is paid 207$ with tax i believe?

[White95Cam]

Originally Posted by adalex

i hope u didn't spend that much, even at my local dealership is paid 207$ with tax i believe?

My local dealer did quote me around $225 but it was for an after market one. They use these because most people think they are being over charged on an OEM one.
W95c

[slavie]

I replaced my 99 Camry rad, which had a hairline crack in the top plastic cover, with an aftermarket $60 rad, and the fitment was absolutely perfect. I replaced it myself, and really had no problems whatsoever fitting it in.

Granted it's only been a couple of month since, but I have no complaints whatsoever with the replacement rad - no leaks, no cracks.

[JohnGD]

Clearly people's mileages vary. OEM radiator is usually made by Denso or GM's Harrison radiator division. KoyoRad is an aftermarket manufacturer but they make excellent radiators.