Re previous Radiator replacement.

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JM - 27 Mar 2007 21:23 GMT

Hi,

A couple of weeks ago I asked about after market radiators.
As the TOYOTA price for a replaement was just OTT.

Some did not think the Plastic Headers/bottom's were a good idea.

Between yesterday and today I changed it all out.
Hovever the original Toyota radiator I took out has a Plastic
bottom tank and a metal top one.

The only thing I did not have in hand for the job was the rubber
bottom mounts. It was thought that these would be ok.
But they were well shot. But waiting a day for delivery from Toyota
gave me a chance to clean the engine compartment up a bit.

The radiator all hoses water/and oil pipes for auto box /Stat/Rad cap/Toyota
red refill were changed.

Total cost for parts was Circa £200. so about US$ 380.
So I am all well satisfied with my few hours work.

Mines a 1995 4/auto.. So plastic was creeping in then.

Cheers
Johnny UK.

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zonie - 28 Mar 2007 04:17 GMT

I dont see anything wrong with plastic tanks. Your old rad lasted 12 years.
I remember the old copper core radiators with soldered brass tanks. Good
for three or four years then due a rodding and repair. Aluminum and
plastic radiators are much better , in my opinion, Of course. Scott

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HLS@nospam.nix - 15 Apr 2007 19:35 GMT

> I dont see anything wrong with plastic tanks. Your old rad lasted 12 years.
> I remember the old copper core radiators with soldered brass tanks. Good
> for three or four years then due a rodding and repair. Aluminum and
> plastic radiators are much better , in my opinion, Of course. Scott

As long as we are expressing opinions, I do not intuitively like the idea
of aluminum radiators or plastic tanks. Aluminum is an active metal
(chemical electromotive series) and is inherently subject to corrosive
attack. Corrosion inhibitors in the coolant can help, but remember that
they are 'inhibitors', not preventors.

Plastic is okay until it cracks.

I believe these materials were integrated into modern cars to lower cost
and weight, not necessarily for durability.

Some of the old brass cored radiators are still running today. On anything,
maintenance and proper care mean a lot.

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videokid400@hotmail.com - 21 Apr 2007 13:29 GMT

On Apr 16, 4:35 am, <H...@nospam.nix> wrote:

> > I dont see anything wrong with plastic tanks. Your old rad lasted 12
> years.
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
> Some of the old brass cored radiators are still running today. On anything,
> maintenance and proper care mean a lot.

Checked the price of copper?
Now we have comopsite rads........Great idea....no more rod cleans

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