Radiator/Heating and Cooling System Question

[ShadowMedic]

As many of you know I recently asked for some assistance regarding putting a new radiator in.

The radiator I replaced on my 2005 Camry originally had a 5/8 of an inch core. The new radiator has a 1 inch core. I have noticed the car is running cooler via the temperature guage. Is this due to the surface area of the new radiator? I also had to use DEX Cool Orange Color antifreeze because I couldn't get to the dealership for the Toyota Red Colored brand. Is this ok to do?

The reason I made a different thread was because this is a different issue all together.

Thanks

[gdanaher]

I'm not familiar with the chemistry of DEX but it should be fine. As for the radiator, larger cooling surface results in greater cooling, but I'm guessing that the old one came out becasue of age, and perhaps crud it had collected over time which slows the flow and impedes heat transfer.

[Donald E. George]

Zerex Asian Car Coolant would have been a better choice. Available from NAPA. I have seen several sites that refer to Dexcool as Deathcool. I used Dexcool in my Camry V6 for several years before I found the Zerex product. Dexcool will probably work ok but you want to maintain the correct level in the surge tank. Regards.

[Mike Murrell]

My one and only experience with DexCool was not good.

The product eventually gelled up as I learned at various WEB sites.

Took awhile to clean it out and in the end - replaced the radiator. It simpy would not go away.

The goop from hell.

[profuse007]

I might to try the Zerex w/ flush.

[Donald E. George]

The coolant drain on the back side of the V6 is hard to get open. On my 04, the back drain plug is fitted to a square plate bolted to the block. This drain does not look anything like the front block drain. Purchase four or five jugs of distilled wated and drain and refill until the water comes out clear. Replace with Zerex Asian Car coolant[about $11.00 from NAPA.This Zerex product is very close to Toyota's pink coolant which is currently selling for about $24.00 a gallon. Good luck with finding a place to dispose of the old coolant. Don't dump it in your sewer drain unless your local government says it is OK to do so.

[isrb710]

In Ohio, Monroe will accept coolant for recycling. Free of charge!

[Donald E. George]

Originally Posted by isrb710

In Ohio, Monroe will accept coolant for recycling. Free of charge!

I haven't been able to find anyone in Nebraska that will take used antifreeze. Is Monroe a chain of some kind? Regards.

[deadrx7conv]

Nothing wrong with Dexcool. Just don't expect it to last a lifetime. Change it out every 2yr/30k and it'll work just fine.

You would be better off with an all makes/all models type of antifreeze if you don't want to use Toyota stuff. Just about every autopart and department store carries it.

Zerex Asian is sometimes difficult to find at local stores. Napa can usually get a case of it and its only available as 50:50. Another great choice is Peak Global which is available in 50:50 and full strength, for those of us that mix our own ratios always with distilled/deionized water.

Get a new Toyota thermostat in there if you haven't already.

How many miles did the original radiator last? My '99 and '04 radiator look like new.

What brand/PN did you get?