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I need to replace the radiator in my 94' XLE V6 with auto tranny. There is a leak at the bottom of the radiator. I tried using some Prestone sealer but it still leaks. It's a very slow leak but a leak nonetheless.
The temperature gauge doesn't go halfway like it used to. It goes slightly below half way. I think I'm still getting good pressure in the system, at least that's how it feels from the upper radiator hose.
Where is the cheapest place to get a radiator? It doesn't have to be Toyota made, I just need something to work. I don't want to put too much money into it because I have more than 160K on the clock.
MAKE SURE YOU KEEP YOUR STOCK RADIATOR CAP! I did my radiator not too long ago 5s-fe 4 cyl. The cap that came with it, I used it like a dumbass and can't find the oem....the thing failed under pressure and broke into peices which I had to retrive from the radiator, thank god I wasn't running it at the time it broke into peices. Oh yea.....e-bay is the cheapest
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1991 Lexus ES250, 2006 Nissan Altima 3.5 SE
Wow, I won't find it any cheaper than that. My local place wants $150 for it! Even with the $30 shipping, I would save $60.
Should I also change out the thermostat?
Yes vey good idea to also change the thermostat. Also while you're at it, change the upper and lower radiator hoses as well. It should all be pretty simple, there will be a drain plug on the bottom of the radiator, or you can just pull off the bottom hose. Make sure you replace the fluid with whateveryou had in it before. Hopefully it hasn't been switched and mixed with something other than the factorry fluid. If you have the red coolant than you're going to want to replace that with fluid from toyota, it's kinda expensinve btw. Make sure to 'burp" the system, to make sure you don't have any air stuck where the waterpump is. When you have everything back together, fill the radiator with half water/half coolant, then let the car warm up, you'll have to wait til the thermostat opens up and you'll see that it starts to suck in the fluid, be ready and add more fluid.
They also have special funnels to help with this process.
I have the green fluid in there right now and will stay with that. I changed the lower radiator hose a few weeks ago because I thought that was the source of the leak. It wasn't. It was only $8 and I hoped for a cheap fix! But this eBay radiator will still save me some money.
I will go ahead with a new thermostat and upper radiator hose. I will keep my old radiator cap.
i wouldnt go to a junkyard for a radiator. its been sittin around coroded and wont last.
that ebay price is pretty cheap. autozone sell them for about ~100 w/ tax include lifetime warranty.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mcelligott
local junkyards always work too
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2009 Camry SE || Techstream V.6.0 with Openport 2.0 || TSX 4300K Denso
Houston-TX: need key chip, remote, or body features programming? PM me.
I just bought a radiator from Radiator Barn, to my door it was only $115 and it has a lifetime warranty. It should also be noted that it does not have the plastic tanks as the OEM radiators do. This radiator from CFS cooling is ALL METAL, the tanks are brass, the core is brass and aluminum. You simply cannot go wrong with this radiator. It is of VERY high quality and an excellent price.
DO NOT BUY A USED RADIATOR, that is just asking for it. The plastic on the OEM radiators, definitely has a service life.
While you are replacing the radiator, go ahead and replace the upper and lower hoses. Finish by flushing the cooling system (prestone makes a good flush chemical).
As noted above, REPLACE your caps also. Stant makes some good quality caps (as good or better than OEM). The Stant caps made in the states really show their quality.
-Adam
__________________ 1992 3VZ-FE with 218K Check her out
I did this at 11 pm at night with two flashlights, its pretty easy to change it out on a 5s-fe. Shouldn't be much diffrent then my car. Ill see if I can find my dyi thread for you.
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1991 Lexus ES250, 2006 Nissan Altima 3.5 SE
I'll call Toyota and see if they have a cap in stock. I doubt that Murrays would carry a Toyota radiator cap. I'll just get the thermo and upper radiator hose from Murrays. The lower radiator hose is only a few weeks old so no problems there. The upper radiator hose actually looks very good but I think it's only $8-9 to replace it. As far as I know, it's the original.
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It was only $8 and I hoped for a cheap fix! But this eBay radiator will still save me some money.
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