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2007 CAMRY SE RADIATOR REPLACEMENT HELP

4357 Views 13 Replies 8 Participants Last post by  cassel berry
I have a 2007 Camry SE 3.5L V6 2GR-FE.

I recently went to the Toyota Maintenance center for a diagnostic due to my radiator overflow tank emptying despite my engine not overheating. They told me I need to replace my radiator and since they only use OEM, it would cost $945 for parts and labor. I decided that I will do it myself and would like to request some recommendations since this will be my first time doing it.

What brands would be the most reliable? Locally in stock, my options are the CarQuest house brand, Napa's house brand, Murray Heat Transfer Radiator, Duralast Radiator. I also have the option to order through rockauto or amazon if none of these are any good.

Would it be worth it to upgrade to a performance radiator? Given the cost savings for doing it myself, I would not mind spending $200-400 on a radiator if it is something that is of good quality and won't break easily. My factory stock lasted almost 13 years, so I think this is a worthwhile investment.

I've seen radiators without Tow or with a Tow package, which should I opt for?

There's also an option for a 2, 3, or 4 column radiator, which is the best for a daily driven vehicle?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. :)
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I would get a Denso brand from a place like but not isolated to Rockauto. I use them all the time.
Check the petcock valve and o-ring first. Check that the water pump is not leaking. Check the radiator cap.

Going forward any Toyota you own 2 year drain the radiator and refill with Toyota ultra long life coolant. On my 2AZFE Camrys that takes 1 gallon of coolant. Do that from new and you will likely never have a radiator or water pump go bad while you own the vehicle. For the first 5 years I owned my 2003 Camry I did it each Spring. Then I went to every other year. My Car is almost 18 years old same radiator and water pump it had when it left the factory. My wife's 2007 was my Mom and Dads before I bought it. They never did this and it is on it's 3rd water pump. I bought for her 2 years ago and it only has 105K miles on it now approximately.

Also everytime you change the oil shoot some parts cleaner into the PCV valve just for good measure!
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I got a Denso on Amazon for the 03 and it fit perfectly.
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Check the petcock valve and o-ring first. Check that the water pump is not leaking. Check the radiator cap.

Going forward any Toyota you own 2 year drain the radiator and refill with Toyota ultra long life coolant. On my 2AZFE Camrys that takes 1 gallon of coolant. Do that from new and you will likely never have a radiator or water pump go bad while you own the vehicle. For the first 5 years I owned my 2003 Camry I did it each Spring. Then I went to every other year. My Car is almost 18 years old same radiator and water pump it had when it left the factory. My wife's 2007 was my Mom and Dads before I bought it. They never did this and it is on it's 3rd water pump. I bought for her 2 years ago and it only has 105K miles on it now approximately.

Also everytime you change the oil shoot some parts cleaner into the PCV valve just for good measure!
I'll be sure to flush out all the coolant and have the entire system with the Toyota long life coolant. Thanks for the advice!
Here goes an oddity for you. It is cheaper for me to buy the iridium Plugs for my car and the wifes from Toyota than from a parts store or Amazon etc....Crazy right just the opposite of normal. So I do check prices at the dealership at times just for those rare instances were the price is better or close enough!
Can you put a thicker one to the car that originally came with a thin one?
Are the connections the same? Mine just cracked at 220k miles
Can you put a thicker one to the car that originally came with a thin one?
Are the connections the same? Mine just cracked at 220k miles
I don't think the dimensional difference between the two radiators would preclude the larger unit to be installed. So my answer is yes, either unit will fit. Regards
Not an issue, the mount are the same.
I believe the thicker core is only an 1/8" thicker, which is great for cooling but not an installation problem.
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I ran a V8 a high performance V8 off of a 1986 4Runner Radiator while I was waiting for an 8 core unit to come in. I ran it with a single fan and never had any over heating and it does get into hi 90's in Michigan in Summer and I drove it around Georgia in the Summer like that until the unit arrived. My point here is that a radiator intended for a 4 cylinder kept my V8 cool with a single electric fan. Seldom is over heating primarily caused by an undersized radiator. Normally it is a bad cap, stuck thermostat, dirty rusty system, system that has not been maintained or failed water pump. If you can fit a larger radiator in it no problem that is fine but pay attention to all the other items in the system. Radiator cap, hoses, water pump, thermostat, coolant etc....
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Not an issue, the mount are the same.
I believe the thicker core is only an 1/8" thicker, which is great for cooling but not an installation problem.
The size of core is 5/8 inch or 1 inch.
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