How To Replace (or deep clean) 5th Gen 4Runner Radiator

Hello, Future Forum Searcher. I hope this post and video help you because they would have helped me! Congratulations - you have found the only video on the internet about How To Replace the 5th Gen 4Runner Radiator! Or, if you're like me, it's actually "How To Clean you radiator face and add a new maintenance item to your list."

Here's my video for you: https://youtu.be/asRkfHKk6TU
(this video kinda counts, but his metal bumper makes the whole situation different)

My reason for doing this work: I was dealing with intermittent "overheating" (read this post: truck running hot when idling in hot temps, though never redline). More about that in the linked forum post above. My findings (confirmed by my mechanic) led me to replace the fan clutch and I was preparing to possibly replace the thermostat and/or water pump. However, @Agent_Outside was the first to suggest that my radiator was dirty. Due to my ignorance, I thought my "radiator" was clean while, in fact, I was looking at my AC condenser. Yes, I admit my stupidity haha. Just go watch the video if you need a laugh!

 

This is an old-school helpful youtube video. Thanks for posting it up. Hopefully this solves your problems!

 

That’s the best kind of encouragement, thanks! I’m feeling very confident this was the fix and I’m hoping this video is helpful for someone in the future.

 

Sometimes these problems are a bit more complex than we expect, but hopefully this will be the end of your temp issue. Even if it’s not, you have a clean radiator, and a nice instructional video out there so the next guy knows what to expect!

 

Thank you Noodles! Yeah you’re not wrong that it would’ve been wise to do so, and I did have a radiator on hand. I think I mention this in the video, but I chose not to replace for a few reasons: 1. I really want to see if this solves my problem without replacement. Plus, now that I’ve done this once if I need to replace in the future I think it’ll be very quick. 2. After taking the “carquest premium” out of the box I would choose to either go OEM/equivalent or “upgrade” to full aluminum in the future and I didn’t have either. Advanced Auto one just looked too cheaply made for my comfort to put it in for my taste. 3. Money is relative and I know there’s arguments against my position, but for me right now saving some money by doing this cleaning feels like the right choice. Only time will tell.

 

Haha! I can sympathize with the idea of “not doing this again” I guess I’m a glutton for punishment! That’s interesting about the Prius maintenance. I think that makes a lot of sense bc it’s so important to prevent batteries from getting hot?

You ask a great question and it’s another random note I mention in the video actually… my 4Runner came without an engine skid (used) and when I bought it I wasn’t doing my own oil changes so I never noticed. Then from my purchase date (07/2021) until June 2023 I did about 50k miles. No real off-roading but all kinds of “roads” in that 50k and I have to believe that all that time without an engine skid plate caused the radiator to be sucking up all that crap!

 

For routine cleaning before any problems arise after some excitable driving, I have use the below extension on the backside of the radiator to flush debris out to the front. The bottom has a horizontal flat spray pattern of about 5 inches and you can slowly work it up and down over about 5 minutes to get a decent cleaning. Picked it up about 25 years ago from a tool truck. Attaches to any water hose.

 

Going forward something exactly like this is what I’ll be adding to my maintenance list! Too easy not to do it.