weeping between top of RHS radiator tank and radiator

[ValleyGXL120 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close ValleyGXL120]

I had a delux bullbar fitted yesterday at ARB. When I picked the vehicle up I was told that they had noticed a very small leak between the top radiator tank and the radiator. Has any one had this problem and is it repairable ? I know most of the radiators these days are plastic tanks crimped on to the radiator core with an o'ring seal, but not sure if they are servicable. I have tried doing a search on this but struggled to find any thing of a similar nature. I havn't had a good look at the problem yet as I think I have to take the cover off the top of the radiator to view the area of concern. Vehicle is certainly not overheating and doesn't appear to have lost any huge volume of fluid. But I would hate to have it go when the summer heat really kicks in (or any other time)

[Spurio Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Spurio]

Re: weeping between top radiator tank and radiator

With the quality of work some ARB fitters are doing these days I would not be surprised if they didn't knock the radiator when fitting the BB :roll:

Yes the radiator tanks are plastic top and bottom. Yes a reputable radiator specialist repair shop should be able to repair it. You will need to remove the entire unit from the car. Check the radiator core for other holes while your there too.

If you can get the radiator out yourself you will save quite afew bucks. The tank may take a couple of days to arrive, depending on where you live, so get the radiator specialist to order one in before you start.

Should be right to drive for a little while, but come summer, it will probably be leaking more, plus the added stresses of Air Cond, sitting in traffic and pulling a trailer and it will probably overheat.

Best of luck with it.

[ValleyGXL120 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close ValleyGXL120]

Re: weeping between top radiator tank and radiator

Havn't been able to get at the radiator to have a look yet, but the way it was described by the guy at ARB was that it had been weeping for some time. I will check it out on the week end and should be able to tell if its new or has been there for a while. thanks for the advise it nice to know that it should be able to be repaired instead of a new radiator.

[damonat Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close damonat]

Re: weeping between top radiator tank and radiator

our radiator has this issue.
we have driven it for at least 6 months like this, but as summer approaches,
we will be replacing it.
have been told that it roughly the same cost;
new radiator, or
new tank and labour to do.
so we are opting for a new radiator, this way all parts are new with full warranty.
best price so far is just under $500 ranging up to $650.

from memory these radiators don't have top/bottom tanks, they run down each side,
and ours is weeping from 1/2 way down PS where core is crimped to tank.

[ValleyGXL120 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close ValleyGXL120]

Re: weeping between top radiator tank and radiator

Thanks for your input Damonat. I am not sure as I havn't looked at it yet, but you are right about the leak being on the passenger side as this is what I was told by ARB. I will certainly look into it on the weekend. Have only had the vehicle since July and am not totaly familiar with it. It would appear that it would have gone un noticed had I not had the bull bar fitted as there were no indicators obvious. However I had noticed the expansion tank level was on the lower side but did not seem to be getting any lower, and was going to ask that it be looked at at the next service. did you get any quotes to have the tank uncrimped and a new O'ring fitted?

[Spurio Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Spurio]

Re: weeping between top radiator tank and radiator

ValleyGXL120, if you can get a radiator for even $650 I'd go that way as Damonat has said it is all new and in all reality probably only a $100 or so in it. I am surprised it is not a $1200 part ?

The problem with repairing/replacing tanks/seals is the plastic is often fatigued and cracks/breaks during the replacement process. Also if one side has gone how long will it be before the other side will go ? If the tanks/seals are defective there is a pretty high chance part of the core will be damaged, they often rot from the inside and are only noticable on close inspection, i.e. you put your fingers right through it !!!

If the vehicle has ever lived near the ocean or been in salt air, radiator cores just seem to rot them out.

PS - Nice part of the world you live in down there

[ValleyGXL120 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close ValleyGXL120]

Re: weeping between top radiator tank and radiator

I agree with your reasoning Spurio.
Yes the Reds are nice to!!!

[ValleyGXL120 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close ValleyGXL120]

Re: weeping between top radiator tank and radiator

Have been keeping a close eye on the radiator since being aware of the problem and have not encountered any overheating problems but i thought while I was on Holidays I would get some advise from Toyota dealer and a second opinion from a Radiator specialist. Radiator specialist is of the opinion that the core has a leak and the radiator will need to be replaced. Upon looking through his catalogs he could not find an after market radiator as the ones in the catalog were diferent to mine. The radiators in the catalog show a filler cap where as mine has the filler cap on the expansion tank(mine is Oct 03 build 3lt T/D auto GXL) he suggested I would be best to see Toyota dealer. Quote from Toyota dealer is $1182 for radiator and $140 to fit. Was there any updates to the 03 Prado later in 03 that changes the radiator type? as the aftermarket radiator that was shown for the 03 prado by the radiator specialis was only approx $780. Either way its going to have to be done. Anyone in S.A. with 03 T/D auto had a radiator replaced? Any suggestions.

[Guest Close Guest]

Re: weeping between top radiator tank and radiator

I had the same in mine, but it was replaced under warranty.

[Dieselman Member Find all posts View Profile Close Dieselman]

Re: weeping between top radiator tank and radiator

I wonder how much Aussie Desert Coolers could make one for?? Get a full alloy unit and do away with the plastic tanks that seem to fail. Just thinking outside the square.

[MickL Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close MickL]

Re: weeping between top radiator tank and radiator

$1182 for radiator and $140 to fit

Have you tried Natrad? they do 90series/Surf (Suit 1kz) ones in old school copper... should fit 120 series, just have to lose the pressure tank and fit a standard overflow bottle....

I bet around $500...

Worth a call


Mick

[ValleyGXL120 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close ValleyGXL120]

Re: weeping between top radiator tank and radiator

I might try a few different options when I get a chance. At this stage was only able to check with local (Barossa Valley). Might Try Natrad as you suggest. Not sure off the top of my head, but i think the radiator is made by Nippon Denso.The company I work for is also a supplier to Australian automotive Air ( sister company to Nippon Denso) I might see if I can get an OEM radiator through them. Thanks for the suggestion

[damonat Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close damonat]

Re: weeping between top radiator tank and radiator

Have been keeping a close eye on the radiator since being aware of the problem and have not encountered any overheating problems but i thought while I was on Holidays I would get some advise from Toyota dealer and a second opinion from a Radiator specialist. Radiator specialist is of the opinion that the core has a leak and the radiator will need to be replaced. Upon looking through his catalogs he could not find an after market radiator as the ones in the catalog were diferent to mine. The radiators in the catalog show a filler cap where as mine has the filler cap on the expansion tank(mine is Oct 03 build 3lt T/D auto GXL) he suggested I would be best to see Toyota dealer. Quote from Toyota dealer is $1182 for radiator and $140 to fit. Was there any updates to the 03 Prado later in 03 that changes the radiator type? as the aftermarket radiator that was shown for the 03 prado by the radiator specialis was only approx $780. Either way its going to have to be done. Anyone in S.A. with 03 T/D auto had a radiator replaced? Any suggestions.

i'm still going on our leaking radiator, but we also are aware and check before going any big trips.
as for the radiator places version having a radiator cap on radiator, and you having your on overflow/expansion,
toyota years ago (in camrys) had the same set-up. the expansion had a removable cap, whilst the radiator,
had a cover over a type of radiator cap, so you could not remove of check this.
my truck has an overflow with radiator cap on radiator, and ours is a early 03 auto.
for the price difference, go the non-genuine radiator and dodge up a cap on expansion to make into overflow.
end result is no leaking radiator and system works.

[ValleyGXL120 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close ValleyGXL120]

Re: weeping between top of RHS radiator tank and radiator

Bit the bullet and coughed up the cash and had new radiator fitted. Was starting to see more and more of a red powder crust building up in the top passenger side of the radiator core. I have kept the old radiator as i intend to flush all the powder crud build up off and try and locate the hole it is coming from, once located I will either Aluminium braze or tig the hole up and get pressure tested . At $1075 it is worth keeping. Was also having problems with the air conditioner. Thought that the problem could have been related to the radiator. Turned out to be the magnetic clutch relay sticking. Had all the belts replaced while the radiator was out as well. All good now :lol: Pockets empty though :cry:

[damonat Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close damonat]

Re: weeping between top of RHS radiator tank and radiator

last friday the radiator finally let go.
luckily it was at work that i noticed the constant quick drip (bit hard to tell when it's rained for weeks so the ground is always wet).
rang around 2 radiator places.
non-genuine radiator was $800.
the misses reminded me that we had an extended warranty on the vehicle,
so off to toyota last friday arvo for inspection, and yay, it's covered.
got replaced this week. should have remembered months ago about warranty, but would have been the same result.
the radiator is identical to that of the old toyota unit.
radiator cap with hose for overflow.