radiator life - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

smkdwnn · 03-25-2006, 09:21 PM

How long do radiators last? I want to replace my radiator before it fails.

atobe · 03-25-2006, 11:49 PM

depends how you treat em.. if u use tap water might cause it to rust faster than dislitted water..

marc780 · 03-26-2006, 09:18 PM

Well you may feel that this may not apply to you, but my 88 nissan pickup has 298,000 miles. I've changed the piston rings and done two valve jobs, butit still has the original radiator. I just flushed it with tap water every couple years, nothing special, and always kept right ratio of coolant and water inside it. Still seems good and no problems, no leaking heater core or anything other like that, so why change it?
So i guess the answer is it lasts as long as it lasts.

***RningOnFumes*** · 03-26-2006, 09:22 PM

they're right, a radiator doesn't really have an expiration date....

I'm not sure if the Gen 2 s have plastic or metalic.. but with metalics, you can take and wield.

with plactic/alumuium..if the plastic cracks, you replace the whole thing.

So just be sure you do your regular maintence and have distilled water and you replace it when you have to. If anything, you'll need to service the hoses and thermostat regularly

tracyf · 04-11-2006, 05:05 PM

The Gen2 (at least ours) has a radiator with a plastic tank. I recently (this weekend) replaced the radiator and if you need one, I saved about $55 over Autozone's price by using Radiator Express (think their number is 1800RADIATOR) - I got a new radiator (with lifetime warranty) shipped to my door for $114 - and if they give you a higher price than somewhere else you find tell 'em and they will beat the other price.

God bless

Zandro · 04-11-2006, 06:21 PM

My gen 2 has a all metal radiator, it can last almost forever, it really don't
matter if you use tap water as long as you use proper amounts of coolant
as they contain anti corrosion substances. You may also consider putting
a mosquito mesh in front of your radiator, keeps those fat flies from making
dents in it, and of course keeps it clean.

tracyf · 04-11-2006, 07:10 PM

The bugs don't get to mine because the AC grille is in front of it.

smkdwnn · 04-11-2006, 10:49 PM

The oem radiator had a crack on the top which is made of plastic so I could not fix it so it was replaced in 1998 with an all metal radiator. In 2006 (few weeks ago) decided to work on the cooling system; change the hoses, replace a seized fan blade (melted onto the motor) replaced the rusty radiator while I had access to it.

I'm averaging 8 years, I live in New York, tons of salt on the road in the winter!