Radiator change

My 97 4Runner has 217K miles. In all these year I have replaced the radiator fluid three times but the radiator itself is original. I am curious on whether others may have found it necessary to replace theirs and at what age. On my 4Runner the temp gauge stabilizes at half-way. Is this consistent what you are seeing?

 

Yes ur due. And the upper coolant hose gets weak...

 

I agree with SR5, the radiator may look fine, but the plastic parts crack or fail.

 

That gauge is somewhat of a dummy gauge; running a dedicated temp sensor will give you accurate results.

As for the radiator, I would've replaced it long ago as those in the 4Runner came from a different manufacturer than those for a Tacoma.

They are more susceptible to getting a 'pink milkshake' where the inside of the radiator fails and transmission fluid and coolant mix.

Even then, over time, the plastic tank up top tends to split like it did in my Tacoma -

 

Thanks for all the replies. Do you have a favorite aftermarket provider or do you go to Toyota? I Typically grab Denso parts and I see one at RockAuto for $100.

 

Check with the CSF. They are a great radiator company, and make all metal radiators. Rock Auto doesn't have an all-metal listed for the 97, but I wager if you check CSF's website, you'll find the one that's for your truck. Toyota used the same radiator for a lot of different years, so maybe...
I like the all-metal radiators much better than the ones with the plastic tanks. They seem to last pretty well. I have one on my pickup I got 25 years ago, a 3-core I bought in Yuma, a VERY hot place, and it's still working fine. I had one on my 87 4Runner for the same reason, but the top tank blew off one day, after I had moved up here to Oregon. Really spectacular
I still like the all metal. Blowing off the tank after 25 years isn't bad at all!

I change all 3 hoses once a year, and flush every 3-4 years. ONLY use the Toyota Red coolant. The green stuff tends to rust the engine a lot worse than the red. The green seems to encourage, or at least not slow, differential metal corrosion between the iron block, and the aluminum head(s)

Obviously, just my personal experience. Good luck!
Pat☺

 

Hi Pat,
I just tried CSF. I don't see one listed for my 4Runner. Did send an email though.

 

That’s exactly where mine split....,Rather there instead of the trans cooler.

 

I replaced mine at 125k as it went bad from the top somewhere. I got a Advance Auto one with lifetime warranty. The lifetime Advance one went bad at 250k. Got another for free. No pink milkshake either time.

I'd love an all metal one for a replacement.

 

Toyota did use the same radiator for a lot of different years. CSF might well say something like "Oh, the one for the 87s will fit your trick fine!"
That's just an example, BTW

I wish you all the best!
Pat☺

 

Thanks for the suggestion. Buying things mail order especially something as bulky as a radiator, is a risk. Grabbing one locally helps mitigate that.
Matt

 

I went to a local radiator shop in Yuma when I put the 3-core, all metal ones into my trucks. I told them what I wanted, exactly. 3-core, all metal, 1987 Toyota Pickup, 22R engine, and a 4Runner, 22RE engine. They went in back, and came out with the perfect fit and function radiators. Same radiator goes in either truck, which is handy.

Even if the shop doesn't have the exact radiator you need, they probably have sources you can't find. Some shops will even make one custom for you, for a bit of cash, if they can't get one any other way.

Good luck!
Pat☺

 

Found another provider, Champion. They're in in Ca. They sell an all metal radiator for $245 plus $40 for shipping.
https://www.championradiators.com/Toyota-4Runner-radiator 1996-2002

 

Oh baby. It has the transmission cooler too! I know what I'm getting for the next 375k mile T-Belt change.

My current one only has 10k miles on it. I might need to buy it now and store it for 10 years.

 

Don’t do it. Wait five years after Ahdofu reports back how it’s holding up...,...,. Not as good as original Denso!!!

 

My anecdotal experience disagrees. My original Denso leaked at 125k miles.

I can't see that plastic is ever going to be as good as an all-metal rad.

 

Do it now. Very easy job for the most part. I had mine swapped out and installed in around a hour and a half. Inexpensive and very much worth it to make sure you don't end up with the dreaded "pink milkshake".

 

Did you end up getting the champion ? I'm installing the denso plastic radiator tonight

 

No I bought one from Advanced Auto. It comes with a lifetime warranty but my primary reason for buying from Advanced Auto was that they are local and this allowed me to examine the radiator before I left the store.

 

I don't know why you'd be replacing fluid and not finding a leak somewhere if it was your radiator.
On my Tacoma it was obvious because a white residue was all over the place and you could smell it when the fan turned on (engine on). You could have a head gasket failure.

 

Maybe your water pump is leaking?

 

eventually, no matter how well you took care of the cooling system, flush radiator, etc...they will need to be replaced...I replaced mine..but because when my front clip got nailed, a hole got punched into it..but I would have replaced it eventually ..with a new one..

 

My 2005 with 160,000 miles is on its original radiator but I bought a replacement off Amazon for when this one starts to leak. My temperature gauge is always where it is supposed to be - in the middle with the marks.

I'm going to replace the radiator fluid when I get aroundtuit. 2 gallons is all they take. Guess you just pull the bottom hose, let it drain, and refill through the radiator cap.

I looked at the fluid the other day and it looks real good. Not sure when to gauge when it has to be done? Anyone?

My records say I added a gallon in 2018?

I've never had an overheat. You don't ever want an overheat.

 

2 gallons, essentially, one coolant and one water. always 50/50 mix, and always use Toyota Red coolant, and distilled water, or you'll be sooooorrrrryyyy!

Anywho, I have a policy of doing a flush-n-fill ever 3-4 years, need it or not. I also replace the hoses every year. Belts plugs, and all the rest, as well. Never had any trouble. I drain the system into a clean bucket or two, and reuse it if it looks good. When I go to return it to the system, I stretch a nylon over the funnel. Phenomenal filter. Tight, but not restrictive. Keeps any nastiness out that might get in when it's sitting in the bucket(s).
Most radiators have a drain plug on the side opposite the bottom hose, and the engine has a drain plug as well. No matter how well you drain it with the two drain plugs, there's always just enough left in the system that when you pull the bottom hose, it will try to drown you. I've gotten to where I wear a scuba mask to do it. I got tired of breathing coolant. Hmph.

Once I get everything back together, I always make sure to burp the system. It's amazing to me how much air stays in when it's first filled. I always wind up with the radiator full, and the recovery tank filled to the line, and some in the bucket still, even after I burp it. I just put it into the recovery tank and drive it until it's back down to the full line.

This whole policy has kept the all metal 3 core in the pickup going for the last 30 years quite well. It's getting to the point it needs replacement, finally. The one in my 87 4Runner only lasted about 25 years, then blew off the top tank one day while I was driving. Darned cheapo all metal radiators...

Have fun, however you choose to do yours!
Pat☺