YotaJunky

Hi all,

I just replaced my rad with an aftermarket one.

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f16/radiator-replacement-how-pics-55979/

The aftermarket rad came with these 2 pipes near the bottom of the rad which are plugged up with rubber stops. I don't know what they are for and the rubber stops seem kind of thin and flimsy. I was thinking about connecting a hose between the two ends to circumvent any possibility of a leak, but I'm not sure if it will damage the rad in any way.

Any suggestions?

SoCal4Running

They are for automatic transmissoin cooling.

YotaJunky

I've got a manual tranny. I specifically ordered the rad for manual tranny and it looks like they have given me the wrong one. Anyway, it's now installed and I want to make sure that I don't have any leaks coming out of one or both of those pipes. Those rubber stops just don't look like they are going to last.

Any suggestions?

SoCal4Running

It'll be fine, I think they ALL have the connections for the auto cooler. But to be safe you could run a hose straight between them.

YotaJunky

The old Toyota rad I took out didn't have those pipes. I guess it's just more cost effective for the aftermarket crowd to put them in and sku them for both manual and auto trannies.

So running a hose straight between the 2 will not interrupt flow if the stops are removed? I guess I could leave the stops in place and run a hose between them with clamps for peace of mind ...

Thanks for the suggestion.

Troy

SoCal4Running

Actually there is no flow inside of them. It is a separate passage thru the radiator for the transmission fluid. Coolant will not leak out with the caps off, the reason for the caps is if you do not have an auto tranny and the connections are not used they will keep water and crud out of the passage that could cause corosion. Either leave the caps on or use a hose between them.

shimonmor

I wouldn't bother with a hose. Nothing can leak out of those fittings. Those fittings allow ATF to come from the tranny, be cooled in the rad and then sent back to the tranny. With nothing hooked up there is just air in their. No coolant will come out unless an internal leak develops which is unlikely. The rubber stoppers are there to keep dirt from getting in.

YotaJunky

Excellent! Thanks for the info. I feel much better now knowing that there is no coolant flow in that part of the rad. I'll leave the caps in place. Since there's no pressure build up in there, there's little need for a robust cap. That explains why they looked so flimsy.

Thanks to all for your help!

jimbo74

the plastic caps fell off mine... and mine is an aftermarket unit... i did order it for a manual tranny... the part numbers are the same.... its actually this way on most vehicles with auto.manual trannies

YotaJunky

Yours fell off? Maybe I should reconsider putting that straight hose between the two pipes! lol...

jimbo74

the plastic plugs on mine fell off, it doesnt matter though... they dont do anything... all that is in there is air..... if you will feel better about it, put a hose, its just not needed the space in there is empty

DudeBud

they dont need to be capped i have left mine open ever since I got it almost 3 years and everything is fine. you could just cut them off if they bug you

YotaJunky

ha.. ha.. these rubber stops have been beaten to death!! I'll leave 'em be... The aftermarket rad has got a lifetime warranty, and if the caps fall off and rust out the bottom of the rad, I'll just get another one!

Scooter22

My aftermarket radiator has those connections also and I never knew what they were for.
troy65 nice writeup on the rad install.

YotaJunky

Thanks Scooter22. I'm just giving back to this community which helped motivate me to do my own repairs. Also, it's a good ego boost.

Troy

YotaJunky

Well, I just slapped on a couple of cheapo clamps and that should be it. That'll keep the bottom from corroding.

YotaJunky

Here's a quick shot of the clamp on one side. This will ensure that it doesn't fall off and cause rust in the bottom of the rad.