Barnstormer Posted July 31, 2006 Share Posted July 31, 2006 Was doing some work on my car over the weekend and noticed a tiny crack in the radiator plastic upper tank - see service manual piccy below. Question: is it easy to remove and replace? Toyota manual below shows it can be dissasembled but when I actually look at it it seems to be held in place by a tank plate. Service manual suggest a special tool to fit. Has anyone ever done this? Would save me the cost of a new rad if it is straightforward. Any info always appreciated. ATB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeT Posted July 31, 2006 Share Posted July 31, 2006 i think you'll be looking at a new rad mate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Ian Posted July 31, 2006 Share Posted July 31, 2006 Defo a new Rad mate its a common "fault" the plastic goes brittle and cracks just under the rad cap, dont know of anybody managing to replace the "top" dont try to repair you cant it wont hold Sorry for the bad news mate, had to replace mine not so long ago ....its a easy and straight forward job tho defo DIY Cheers Ian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barnstormer Posted July 31, 2006 Author Share Posted July 31, 2006 Thanks for the replies. Rang local Toyota dealer for a quote for the parts and he said they can do a replacement upper tank with fitting. Getting me a quote in a few days. Might go with a new rad as I can do that myself and it may not be much more expensive as I can save on the labour. Found the full details on pg 10 of this pdf file! Have included the whole cooling sys pdf in case anyone finds it useful. Its for a mkIII but the tank plate details are the same. ATB08_CO.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barnstormer Posted July 31, 2006 Author Share Posted July 31, 2006 After a bit more investigation it seems I may have a non-standard rad! From the mkIV manual it shows no tank plate - just an o ring and upper tank - see piccy. The mkIII does have a tank plate. I know mine is a facelift but I ownder if anybody else has a rad with a tank plage. I've never closely looked at another Supe...maybe the manual shows early models or UK spec. ATB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Posted July 31, 2006 Share Posted July 31, 2006 Hmm, could the previous owner have whacked a MKIII rad in? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barnstormer Posted August 1, 2006 Author Share Posted August 1, 2006 Dunno what rad I got as now the local Toyota parts man is totally confused. My fans, fan shroud etc are nothing like the manual says they should be. he reckons mine is odd as it a 97 facelift non VVTi. I have bits off a VVTi, mk III and some normal j-spec. Reckons the car was assembled as the first VVTi's were coming along. Anyway, sorted the problem by myself. Problem was a small crack so I drilled it out to stop it propagating. Nicked some NDT dye from work and UV'd it. No cracks at all! Tapped it, made a stud and wrapped teflon tape around it. Next, got some epoxy from work again (waterproof, antifreeze resistant, 180c/-60 etc etc). Epoxied the stud in and buried it under more epxoy. V effective repair. Did another NDT dye test with no probs. Not sure how long its gonna last but I think it will outlast the rest of the rad. Saved 350 notes for a new rad as well. Result. ATB PS - could have got it x-rayed as well but the kit was out being used tonight. Bit overkill maybe..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soonto_HAS_soop Posted August 1, 2006 Share Posted August 1, 2006 You've got a VVti rad as it has the newer fan shrouds with twin eletric fans. Had the same issue with mine, bought a recon item for £125. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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