So I crashed my 4Runner a little bit and I need a radiator. The new part store ones are E36 M3ty plastic/aluminum jobs so I'm looking for a good used one. Other than obvious external damage what should I look for?
Also, we have a lot of lime in the water here in SW Ohio, is there a procedure for running a little CLR or something through an old radiator to clear it out?
Thanks,
Joe
I would check out some on-line places like radiatorbarn. I know there are others, just not familiar with them.
A coworker had his original 4runner radiator get pinholes on the metal top, so all metal isn't perfect either. But I hate plastic ones too.
I bought a cheapo brass radiator for my pickup truck. After 10 or so years the brass is starting to disintegrate. The original plastic aluminum one got silted up and plugged driving to LA in 95F weather so I got to turn the heater on high to keep the car from overheating. You can get a new radiator for 100$ or 150$ so I wouldn't bother buying a used on.
Tap water should never go in a cooling system, distilled only.
That's an old wives tale or something. Any potable water is fine for the cooling system.
For the $1.98 its going to cost me I go with distilled water. And our water is pretty darn good.
We have some nasty hard water where I live, I'll go with distilled.
Have them order a modine.
1800radiator.com
I've bought several radiators and condensers from them.
Most radiator shops carry pre-loved ones, they fill and pressure test each.
Call around.
Buy a new one. You don't know how long the used one will last. Sure it may hold pressure, but you don't know if its partially plugged, or how much corrosion is already in the fins.
SupraWes wrote: Tap water should never go in a cooling system, distilled only.
That's a great argument for new/clean engines, but every engine I've ever worked on, using distilled water was a ceremonial gesture at best. The moment that water touches the dirty-ass radiator, it's no longer distilled. 
If you use distilled water (as in straight distilled water, drive for a day, drain, repeat until the water comes out clear) and non corrosive coolant, even an old car shouldnt have a nasty cooling system. lol
I've heard good things about 1800radiator. Radiatorbarn had the cheapest price on a radiator for my Volvo, but I still haven't bought one.
spitfirebill wrote: For the $1.98 its going to cost me I go with distilled water. And our water is pretty darn good.
Um, yep. Cheap reassurance.
+6 for radiatorbarn.com, since I've bought 6 from them so far.
there is nothing inherently wrong with a PTR (plastic tanked radiator). their failure point when it happens is a gasket. that gasket can be replaced by a radiator shop.
They are significantly lighter than the equivalent CBR (copper brass radiator).
Any cheap radiator runs the risk of poor fitment, had the issue on my caravan with a cheapo replacement. it didn't fit the OE rad fan assembly. I ended up breaking the tabs off of it.
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