Replace radiator as a preventative measure?

So she's got about 181,000 miles on her and about to get her big 90k x 2 service done( water pump, timing belt, idlers, plugs, fluids, etc.) done. Basically damn near every possible wear part.

Still running the OEM radiator without any problems whatsoever. Since we are going in there, do you guys think its worth it to put in a new radiator, even though current one is functioning just fine? 14 years old and 181,000 seems like a long time to me. But no problems so far. I feel like since we are pulling out the radiator anyway, why not just put in a new one? Just not sure if I should do it now, or just wait until I HAVE to replace it.

 

radiators don't go out for a reason like age or mileage, like light bulbs, they just fail, or they never fail, you may never need one so do not try to fix what is not broken.

a new radiator you put in wont be made as well as your original and may actually fail on you before your original would have if left alone.

radiators are not a part you replace as a preventative maint item

 

Well, replacing a radiator is not necessarily preventative maintenance but it could be termed "Preventative Replacement So You Don't Get Stuck in BFE or Destroy Your Transmission". If you do longer trips out in the boonies, replacing your radiator might not be a bad call. Also, people replace the radiator due to the fear of the "Pink Milkshake" (trans cooler cracks in the bottom of the radiator, trans fluid mixes with coolant and the contaminated mixture makes it way back to the trans and screws it up). Yes, it's an expense, but I'd say at your mileage, a radiator replacement would be money well-spent.

I don't know if you do your own automotive work or not, but if so, here's a video that could help you out. It includes installing a trans cooler and replacing the thermostat as well which are something to consider while doing this job.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2nVbwe2t2T8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

Are you saying a new OEM radiator is not as good as the original or are you talking about aftermarket replacements? I do know replacement OEM radiators are made in Taiwan but that doesn't mean they haven't been made to the same standard as the original.

 

It would be a lot easier to swap out the radiator now than later although I get the idea of if it's not broken don't fix it. The plastic tanks so get more. Rattle with time so it would be a factor, but as mentioned could continue to work.

I need to replace the radiator on my truck I drive around the block to not get a street sweeping ticket because I've been too busy. My local mechanic recommended Koyorad over other aftermarket radiators. @Timmah! what radiator did you recommend for 4runners other than oem if any? Do you know if they are the same part as tacomas assuming they both have a 5vz w/ same trans?

 

Radiator on my '98 started leaking right at 180k miles, in 2014. The plastic was just old and started cracking. As our older trucks age, those plastic parts start reaching their shelf life. It's a good idea to think about those things, imo.

 

Keep the stock one in since your not having any issues

 

I've heard the same thing about Koyorad being a good aftermarket radiator. For my rig, I decided to buy an OEM replacement from Camelback Toyota. It's quite a bit more but I do remember one forum member saying he's personally seen the Koyorad, Denso and an OEM one and he reported that it was easy to tell the OEM was superior to the others. But, this is just one dude but I decided to take his word for it. And, going OEM is always a safe bet. The aftermarket ones run around $100. OEM is closer to $200.

I don't know if 1st Gen Tacomas and 3rd Gen 4runners have the same part number. I'd just look the part number for your rig to be sure.

 

I usually do as it's cheap insurance. Denso rad on rockauto is under 100 shipped

 

I had an issue with my radiator after 260,000 miles and had my mechanic replace it after it was leaking from the top of the radiator after a long distance trip earlier this year. I grabbed the hose at the top of the radiator, squeezed it, and coolant squirted out of the crack right at me. I was lucky I made it home without my engine seizing up. I wouldn't replace the radiator until it cracks. Just keep the radiator coolant flushed at its usual maintainence schedule.

 

I would do it. Go oem or equivalent. Its good measure to avoid pink milkshake. Use only distilled water and toyota or zerex Asian red.

 

I don't like fixing it if it aint broke...that's why i bought a tacoma, bc shit rarely breaks.

 

Yo OP has a 14 year old pieces of plastic that make up the tanks that go through heating cycles daily. Toyota doesn't make their own radiators so that's like saying "that's why I bought any auto-manufacturer that is supplied by that radiator company because parts made by them are not subject to physical laws." If we're talking about a piece of metal that doesn't go through the stresses of heating then yeah I'm all about if it's not broke don't fix it. In the middle of nowhere you don't want things breaking and that's what I think about in this case.

 

Things to replace as preventive maintenance even if there is no problem.

Radiator
Battery
Fuel injection system
Heads
Pistons
Block
Transmission
Transfer case
Driveline
Front differential
Rear differential
Frame
Bed
Body
Interior
Seats
Gauges
Everything else.


Once you do that you should be problem free for another 280k miles.

Unless something breaks.

 

You might want to just buy a donor truck if you plan on replacing everything else. lol

 

Maybe I should tow a backup vehicle in case she breaks down because i don't replace every component on the truck for the sake of preventative maintenance.

I know what you mean, but it just doesn't make sense to me. I fix things as they break and don't travel in extremely remote areas, so i'd call a friend or tow if needed.

 

bottom line is the radiator you have now stands a good chance of going another 10-15 years without a problem.

ANY radiator you buy today, even oem brand will last 5-7 years (or less) and fail on you

to put it simply EVERYTHING IS CHEAP CRAP TODAY, JUST DIFFERENT VARIATIONS OF SOME IS EVEN CRAPPIER THEN OTHERS

 

Look into what people that go far out into remote places bring with them. A lot of guys will bring spare axles and hubs at minimum. It's not uncommon for someone to bring each kind of fluid they need to keep the vehicle going just to make it back to civilization. Plus some places I as well as others go won't have cell service and will take people a long ass time to get to you; inconveniencing them and putting yourself at risk when weather conditions are extreme.

That said, I'd call it a coin toss if I'm just cruising on surface streets, but I wouldn't want to even be stranded for any reason and if you're already spending money on coolant then another $200 or so on a radiator isn't a lot in my mind, plus I can keep the old one as a backup. My original radiator only lasted 10 years on my 98. This one is just as prone to cracking, but it's up to him; I'm not saying he has to do it, but it will cost another round of service to replace it if it breaks including coolant that isn't cheap and labor fees if he doesn't do it himself that will be increased since he's already replacing the thermostat and fluids right now. Seems like the perfect time to do it for me.

 

You and I think alike. I do long road trips for mountain biking/camping and take advantage of free primitive camping where there quite often isn't any cell service. So, keeping my rig in good working order and spending a little extra to replace parts that aren't actually broken yet like the radiator is just good insurance. But, if you use your rig mostly for commuting and never venture out into Bum F*ck Egypt, by all means wait until it springs a leak because you can just get on your smarty pants phone and call a tow truck. Now, if your trans cooler cracks inside the radiator, you'll be kicking yourself you didn't spend some money on a radiator because you just cooked your transmission.

 

The OP obviously doesn't make trips like that, so he doesn't need to concern himself or others about gallons of coolant and spare radiators in his bed.