Replacing Radiator 1992 Celica GT

[chriswhitworth]

Daughter has a 92 Celica GT. Radiator has cracked along the top. Have attempted to seal it with a couple of adhisives, but alas.

What do I need to be aware of in replacing this? How do I make sure I get the correct replacement? I see them online for ~$125. I saw some that say w/AC. Am I short-changing myself with these inexpensive ones? IThe car doesn't need to last forever, but don't want to have to deal with this issue again in the next year or so.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions/opinions.

[Pineapple]

Look for local radiator shops. Should have one in stock. Do a flush and change the thermostat also. The AC one probably has mounts for AC fan.

[RobMilkshakes]

Most places you go, standard replacements will run about $120 or so, thats what the price was when I bought one for mine, that was in store too. I'd wouldn't order one, since the fins are rather delicate, but thats your call. Its not a hard part to find so you should be able to find it locally.

Also, if buying in person, if you want to make sure its the absolute same one, take your old radiator with you and match it in person. Now I dont know if her car is an automatic or manual, but most radiators are made now to fit both, the difference being the fittings for the transmission cooler lines. Dont be alarmed at these being left open if it is indeed a standard transmission, its a sperate loop inside the radiator for automatic transmission fluid, not coolant.

I'd say when replacing it, replace the thermostat, hoses, clamps, and radiator cap to be safe. Its not much more of an expense, but is worth it to not have to drain the coolant all over to replace something or have her car overheat.

[chriswhitworth]

Thanks for the tips!

[93celicaconv]

You may have one other option. Your top tank is replaceable. If you can find a radiator shop to take a look, I'm sure they can give you a price to replace your top tank. You can ask them for a price if you bring just the radiator is vs. bringing the car in and letting them take it out. The rest of your radiator needs to be in very good condition before considering this option though.

If you want to consider this option, take a look at yours and determine if it has brass tanks and copper fins (this was the original design used) or if it has plastic tanks with aluminum fins (this is where most newer radiator designs are going to, and these tend to last longer). If brass tanks with copper fins, check along the bottom of your radiator, facing the engine compartment, and make sure all the fins are still in good shape. Many times, these radiators have the copper fins corroded away towards the bottom. If this is happening, I wouldn't bother to repair it.

Just another choice. Otherwise, all the other inputs above fit what I would suggest also.

[chriswhitworth]

Thanks for the input, but unfortunately am a little confused. Her radiator appears to be a plastic housing containing the piping and fins inside. It is the plastic that has sprung a hariline crack along the top. You can see it and there is actually pretty good access to it. I thought this miracle stuff called Q-bond would work, but we missed a small area and it has continued to leak.

What you are suggesting is that this radiator is a two piece design? I can somehow remove the plactic top part and just replace that part?

[RobMilkshakes]

Originally Posted by 93celicaconv

You may have one other option. Your top tank is replaceable. If you can find a radiator shop to take a look, I'm sure they can give you a price to replace your top tank. You can ask them for a price if you bring just the radiator is vs. bringing the car in and letting them take it out. The rest of your radiator needs to be in very good condition before considering this option though.

If you want to consider this option, take a look at yours and determine if it has brass tanks and copper fins (this was the original design used) or if it has plastic tanks with aluminum fins (this is where most newer radiator designs are going to, and these tend to last longer). If brass tanks with copper fins, check along the bottom of your radiator, facing the engine compartment, and make sure all the fins are still in good shape. Many times, these radiators have the copper fins corroded away towards the bottom. If this is happening, I wouldn't bother to repair it.

Just another choice. Otherwise, all the other inputs above fit what I would suggest also.

Everytime I've seen a quote from a radiator shop, its been just about the same price as a new radiator

Also, most older cars in general had the brass tanks, but both my celica and my corolla had thier OE radiators in them when I replaced them, both had stock plastic tanks.



OP, replacing a tank is not really a job that can easily be done by yourself. you would have to source a tank and this would require lots of soldering. I'd say just replace it with a new radiator and be done with it. whole job shouldn't take anymore than about an hour and a half or so

[93celicaconv]

Based on the last input above, I would say get prices both ways. I've had a radiator shop replace several leaking tanks on radiators where their total cost was 1/3rd that of a new radiator. And sometimes the cost was nearly equal (so I went with new also).

Interesting about your observation of OE radiators in Celica's. I've seen so many of these, and all the OE's I've seen had brass tanks with copper fins. I have a 93 convertible with very low miles on it, I'm the 2nd owner, I know the original owner, he never had any radiator work done on it, and it has a radiator with brass tanks and copper fins. And it still is in pretty good shape, but I plan to replace it soon with a new radiator with plastic tanks and aluminum fins.

[mattliston]

Repalce the entire readiator.

Suck up your wallet's tears and buy a lifetiem warranty radiator form the local parts store.

Ive always ahd bad luck with tank repairs. if it leaked once, it will leak again.

Also, chances are, a new radiator will have an improved plastic/metal design, or will be all metal.