Toyota Trucks: 4runner eats radiators

4runner eats radiatorsThis seems to be a common problem with the v6
4Runners. I'm on my 3rd radiator w/90K on a 95 4Runner. The first radiator
gave it up just after the warranty ran out. The dealer said he would help me
out, marched me into the parts department and told them I needed a new
radiator. They told me it was $800 installed. I left and went to a radiator
shop and tried to get a new top tank. Without looking at the radiator the
owner told me exactly what was wrong and then told me he had no more top
tanks to fix it with (there aren't too many radiator shops on the island of
Guam). Seems he had seen just a few Toyotas with the same problem. Replaced
the radiator with a Modine from Napa. Again the radiator leaked from cracks
around the filler neck. Modine did nothing for me on my "lifetime" warranty.
Napa on the other hand replaced the radiator for free.

Whatever you do, save any paperwork you have from repairs. Chances are you
will be needing them later.


-"Felix Ideo" <net> wrote in message
news:BC1DB135.2A6E%net...
-When I got my '92 4runner (6-cyl 3VZE, stick) 3 years ago, I noticed a
radiator leak and replaced the radiator. Now I have -a leak in the new
radiator.

-The coolant was changed about 6 months ago when I changed some hoses and I
noticed some scale build-up inside the radiator. I've heard that
electrolysis can cause this so here's what I'm trying this time around:

--new radiator
--sacrificial anode radiator cap
--distilled water instead of tap water

-Any other suggestions?

-TIA,
-Felix

The "I'm not a mechanic so take everything with a grain of salt" reply from me
is to check and make sure as well that your engine is properly grounded. Seems
like I read somewhere that not having it properly grounded could increase the
electrolysis effect.
Like I said, not a mechanic, don't really know what I'm talking about and its a
third hand, foggy rememberance LOL!

Chris
whitewall junkie
<a
href="http://members.aol.com/mfinja5/whitewalls2/ultimatedropdown/frames.h
tm">Mfinja's Hot Wheels with Whitewalls</a><a
href="http://members.aol.com/mfinja3/aswpages/intro.htm"><br>All Small Wheels
Error Cars</a>

Ok, Andy, I'll take your advice as "fair warning." The radiator that just
gave it up was a Modine also. Shop I bought it from said that Modine will
pass judgment on whether it's a manufacturer's defect. So, I don't have
much hope in a free replacement but I'm going to try.

Maybe us 6-cylinder owners should just include a new radiator along with
changing the coolant in our every-other-year cooling system service.

Felix

On 1/4/04 4:17 PM, in article k12Kb.751$bellsouth.net,
"Andy K." <net> wrote:
 

Actually, this is not a bad idea. The guy at the parts store told me the
electrolysis is caused by static build-up from the moving parts in the
engine. If this is true, maybe a good path to ground would help get rid of
the static and reduce electrolysis.

Thanks,
Felix

On 1/4/04 4:33 PM, in article aol.com,
"Whitewall Junkie" <comSPAMOFF> wrote:
 

Felix Ideo wrote:
 

Oh, easy one, you have too much arsenic in the drinking water. Its those
evil republicans. Did the problem show up after GWB in 2001? And that
tax refund wouldnt of even bought a new radiator with installation. I
bet no one had any failed radiators during the Clinton administration.
And you need to dump that evil SUV also, with the extra size of that
rig, did you know your increasing your chances of being hit by a meteor?

Move way left and vote for me, I know, I'm a nut job, but I can do it,
I'm sure I can!

> "Whitewall Junkie" wrote: 
increase the 
I'm talking about and its a 

You may be onto something. I recall from my auto class days you could take
a voltmeter and measure between ground and another lead in the water of the
radiator. If there was any voltage above 0.2-0.4 volts, you needed a change
of water and a better ground to the radiator. The voltages may be off a bit
but I remember them being quite low for the voltmeters of that era.

BP~

On 1/5/04 5:23 AM, in article
9zdKb.282853$ops.worldnet.att.net, "B. Peg"
<bent*pegs69noospam*@att.net> wrote:
 

Hadn't realized you could actually measure voltage from ground to coolant.
I'll install a ground wire from radiator to chassis and see if that helps.
Thanks for the insight.

Felix

Felix Ideo wrote: 

..3 means trouble. Just change the coolant is all.

--





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