Overheating - which Rockauto radiator?

My 2003 Tacoma almost overheated on me in the drive thru but my ultragauge alarmed me when it got to 230 degrees. It usually stays at 203. I turned the heat on and pulled out of the line and it immediately cooled down, but I was able to add almost a gallon of water to the radiator and overflow tank. I haven’t seen any obvious leaks except maybe around the top of the radiator. Do you think I need a new radiator? If a new one is needed, Rockauto has them half the price of the local auto parts store for a standard one. Would you trust that one? Which one should I pick for my 3.4 l double cab limited? What do you guys think? Thanks in advance!

 

Your radiator is fine. Get a new fan clutch.

 

How many miles? They are bad about the plastic cracking on top of radiator. I would prob be proactive and get a new radiator anyways. There are a few tests you can do for the fan clutch. Someone else can give input as I am not familiar with it...

 

I would use this opport to buy an aluminum radiator. We had a thread about that a couple days/weeks ago.

 

I’ll check out the aluminum radiator thread! Thanks!

 

I've been running rock auto rads for years.

The only issue is the shipper can damage them. I had to send a couple back.

 

Like a lot of TW members, mine started leaking from the top. There was a crack right behind the radiator fill cap.
Ordered a new radiator from Gary (Camelback Toyota)

 

Is the radiator leaking?

 

I think there is some leakage around the seam on the top. The truck has about 230,000 miles on it!

 

I got a denso from rockauto a year ago and it has been fine. Paid like 129$ shipped for it.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/aluminum-radiator.383062/page-5#post-17102676

 

as a bit of unsolicited advice... put a pressure tester on it after you replace the radiator and let it sit for a while. I will bet that most of the hoses are original, especially the pain in the rear ones off of the IAC valve. Little leaks just might pop up and I am sure that you want to fix it the first time and not have to keep going back. Some radiators do not come with caps, get a new one if it doesnt.

 

Champion Tacoma radiator.....

 

I ordered one!! We’ll see how it does!

 

I’ll definitely check the hoses. Thanks for th input!

 

Buy a new radiator, hoses, t stat, fan clutch


When was the water pump done ?

 

The water pump and timing belt was done at about 190000. About 40000 miles ago

 

You need to pressure test the cooling system. The water doesn't simply evaporate. If the radiator has a crack or a leak it would almost certainly be noticeable once the system was under pressure. Try a different radiator cap since they are cheap and pressure test the system before you start throwing money away.

For the record my truck runs between 184-190 typically and I can see some slight discoloration at the top of the radiator around the cap.

 

The radiator is leaking around the plastic top on the seam. I definitely do not want to just throw money at it!!

 

I think what everyone wants you to do is confirm that you don't have a blown headgasket. Putting in another radiator might not solve your overheating problem. Thats all.