Ertified4Runner

howdy all

after unsuccessful research on it, can someone lead me in the direction of how a radiator replacement should go? the haynes manual was vague as usual. it mentions something about the a/c compressor unit (maybe right name?), and that's just one of many confusing things that i don't know what to deal with

thanks guys...sweet!

4Crawler

iTrader: (3)

Trivial to do. Drain coolant (either open petcock or pull lower rad. hose), unclip lower part of fan shroud and remove it. 4 bolts hold the rest of the shorud to the rad., remove them and pull the shroud up past the fan. Remove upper rad. hose and 4 bolts hold the rad. to the core support. Remove them and lift the old rad out. Replacement is the reverse process.

Ertified4Runner

thanks

i'll try it out and letya know how it goes (if you cared)

BMWSTOY

Mine is currently out and Automatics have more stuff (lines), so let me know if you would like any pictures or any assistance to the lines or bolts or anything.

TNRabbit

Out of curiosity, what are you replacing it with? The reason I ask it that some folks have used a 2-row where a 3-row was required & have experienced overheating issues as a result...

Ertified4Runner

what's a 2- or 3-row? i guess it's just a standard radiator...

4Crawler

iTrader: (3)

Number of rows of cooling passages inside the radiator. Stock 4-cyl is 2-row, turbo and V6 use 3 rows. 3 rows cool better than 2, I had overheating with a 2-row in my '85, put in a 3-row and no problems since:
- http://www.4crawler.com/4Runner.shtml#Engine

How to tell what you have? Easy, pop the cap (radiator cool of course) and look inside and count the rows of tubes front to rear.

Ertified4Runner

so, the install went in, but now the motor's overheating just about right away at idle--the fluid in the new radiator wasn't circulating, but it drained, so it does at least function (if it's not the culprit).

anyone know, what are the symptoms of a failed water pump?

thanks!

Ertified4Runner

4crawler, just got yer message...it's a 3vze (6 cylinder of course), so i guess it's the 3-row type

4Crawler

iTrader: (3)

Was it overheating before the swap? Same way or different?

Make sure the system is full, no air pockets. I usually fill mine with rad. uphill or on ramps. Cap open, run until t-stat opens, heater valve open and keep topping off coolant until no more air bubble burp out.

Ertified4Runner

the old radiator had a couple small leaks and associated corrosion, but no overheating. you could smell it as if it was overheating, but the gauge read normal.

there should not have been any air bubbles, but nothing's for certain, and i'm out of ideas

toyaholic

got to burp the system or bad stuff will happen. fill it up, crank the truck with the radiator top off, crank your heater on full blast, top it off with more fluid, wait for the eruptions and top off as you go. once the fluid stays nice and calm then you can put the top back on.

4Crawler

iTrader: (3)

Yep, pocket of air can get trapped below the t-stat and keep it from opening. Might try drilling a small hole in the t-stat flange (test it first, it may not be working right):
- http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTri...tml#Thermostat

Ertified4Runner

cool, i'll check it out in the morn

thanks guys

BMWSTOY

When I did research on radiators a while back I found this:
One thing about 3 row vs. 2 row radiators, 2-row radiators are usually more efficient at cooling. 2-row radiators have room for larger water channels with more air space between them which helps them cool more efficiently, especially at low offroad speeds.. More, in the case of radiator rows, is not alway better in this case.
I also talked to Performace Radiator and they talked me into believing that that 2-Row was a better radiator in the case of space on the 3.0 V6.

Does anyone have a good article to read from an expert? Like the great coolant articles, I am ready to learn more about radiators.

anthony1

iTrader: (1)

Toyota came stock with 3 rows for V6. the other poster said with 2 rows, he had over heat issues, with 3 rows he had none.
Can't go wrong with experience.

BMWSTOY

I have been running my 2-Row in my V6 for 18K now and no overheating issues, but would still like to know the differences. I am sure not all radiators are created equally and one compared to another is not fair. In reading the Jeep websites, hard core offroaders, they prefer 2-Row at rock-crawling speeds. Then again size changes everything - if you can fit a larger one, I am certain it will cool better. I wish I still had my Toyota contacts there in your home town of Torrance.

Ertified4Runner

so the burp method worked, it's not overheating yet after fluid-refill-post-burp, pretty cool.
thanks for the sharing of knowledge, another hurdle overcome!