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hey guys..
this suxs...
earlier i mentioned that my car was smoking abit...and I was told it was probably nothing...
after a week...guess what..
the pipe on my radiator is cracking..and getting worse by the min I drive...it is leaking coolant all over and its smoking alot!.
darn...this is gonna cost me a lot of money to replace...
Your problem sounds a lot like what happened to me a year ago.
How old is your camry?
It's more than likely the radiator has burst a small fissure in the plastic tank that carries coolant into the cooling fins.
For a quick-fix, you could try affixing some JB Weld but sooner or later that fissure is going to develop into one serious crack and eventually, you will have to replace your radiator.
This problem is NOT related to your cooling system itself (water pump, thermostat, etc.). It is simply that your radiator is at the end of its life and you will have to replace it.
the Toyota dealerships charges an arm and a leg for new radiators. I remember I was quoted about $550 for a OEM radiator, which is just ridiculous. You can find better deals online.
If you plan on doing the labor yourself, you'll save at least $200, but it is very time-consuming and a bitch to gain access into the claustrophobic engine bay (to remove the AT fluid lines, lower rad hose, etc.)
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Last edited by Structureboy; 03-11-2004 at 01:06 AM.
meh, 6 bolts for the fan, 4 for the brackets that hold the rad in on top, top and bottom rad hose clamps and the 2 atf hoses, and that other hose in the top middle of the rad
and a billion shroud bolts (actually i think i could ahve gotten away with only removing the middle part of the shroud
Anywhoo....Jadebutterfly (that is an odd username), there's your diagnosis and solution to fixing the problem. And to think the toyota dealer charges $75 for that!
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#39 Goalie for Baylor Ice Hockey Team
"life for him was an adventure, perilous indeed, but men are not made for safe havens."-Edith Hamilton
Visit:
www.emdef.org
|>Keep electronic music in our clubs<|
hey ppl..
you guys were right...
my radiator needs to be replaced...
I drive a 1994 Camry I4
The dealer suggested not to get it from them...
I left the car with them and will bring them a radiator so they can help me replace it...as well as my car needs maintence now + my left CV Boot is cracked....argh....lots of $$$
First thing is first, which radiator do you ppl suggest me to get? Is there any radiator that are much better than the OEM? I think I'm willing to pay about 300$cdn...as you said...its 550$cdn at dealer for an oem anyways...
Once I get the radiator, I'm probably gonna add on a TRD radiator cap
So can someone help me out by giving my some suggestions and where to get the radiator from? I hope to deal locally because I do not want something that big to be shipped from the US (duties and shipping will cost alot....)
Thanks so much! Hope to get this fix soon...without my car now is like without a leg...
Last edited by JadeButterfly; 03-11-2004 at 11:49 AM.
I just finished this job. Piece of cake. About 2 hrs is you replace both upper and lower hoses and thermostat (I would recommend). I got my new metal radiator for $90 plus shipping.
I think it was called Radiator Factory. I found it on E Bay. It was a "buy it now" they have radiators for eveything.
Upgrading your radiator on a stock i4 or any stock motor for that matter is a waste of money. Your orig radiator ca.1994 is prolly beat to hell along the lower fin rows (the lower third of the entire rad.) which restricts the coolant flow and decreases cooling capacity drmatically. Just getting a new radiator itself will be a huge improvement.
If you decide to upgrade anyway, go with an aluminum Griffin. ...and you might as well upgrade your fans while your in there... Fal six blade electric fans do wonders for my Vette. 1850cfm/fan!
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Last edited by BLUEMEANIE; 03-11-2004 at 01:04 PM.
If you're going to get the TRD radiator cap, you might as well buy the TRD thermostat to work in conjunction. Although, I would say..., that buying both is sorta a waste of money. You would only need the TRD radiator cap, which opens up at a lower temperature if you were running with serious performance mods (e.g. supercharger). Otherwise, besides aesthetics, I really wouldn't recommend it.
If you have the time, I suggest you perform the labour yourself. It takes a bit of time to get acquainted with the engine bay, but the work can be done with a few good socket wrenches.
I don't believe Fluidyne sells radiators for the gen3 camrys, but like the TRD rad. cap, you don't really need it.
__________________
#39 Goalie for Baylor Ice Hockey Team
"life for him was an adventure, perilous indeed, but men are not made for safe havens."-Edith Hamilton
Visit:
www.emdef.org
|>Keep electronic music in our clubs<|
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leaking coolant..
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