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Radiator Replacement - 6G Celicas Forums

Topic #96044 27 posts Started by Selly_Kuhman
Got to work this morning, and smoke was pouring out of the engine bay. Opened up the hood and saw there's a 2 inch crack on the top of the plastic radiator part.

Is there anywhere on the forums a how to for replacing the radiator? I have a 95 GT and just ordered a replacement, but no idea how to replace it. Is this an easy swap, or will I need special tools/skills for the job?
It's a very easy swap. There's a drain plug in the bottom driver's side, facing the engine. Looks like a wing nut. Then the two hoses explain themselves. There's a temp sensor in the bottom as well. Unplug the fans then there are two 12 mm bolts holding the clamps on top of the radiator. After that the radiator just pulls straight up and out.

"Employ your time in improving yourself by other men's writings, so that you shall gain easily what others labored hard for." -Socrates. Even Socrates told us touse the search button!2006 Aston Martin V8 Vantage.1998 Celica GT-BEAMSSwapped.2022 4Runner TRD Off Road Prenium.2021 GMC Sierra AT4.
It should arrive on Friday of next week. I'll try to put it in that weekend. Richee... you're the man. Hope all's well with the Supra and Celi.
No problem! I have a spare radiator at home. I'll try to get some pictures so you know where the drain is and everything you need to unplug.

"Employ your time in improving yourself by other men's writings, so that you shall gain easily what others labored hard for." -Socrates. Even Socrates told us touse the search button!2006 Aston Martin V8 Vantage.1998 Celica GT-BEAMSSwapped.2022 4Runner TRD Off Road Prenium.2021 GMC Sierra AT4.
Make sure the drain plug on the new radiator is tight after installing it. While the radiator is out use a garden hose and some soapy water to wash out the AC condenser and while the cooling system is drained it's a really good idea to replace the old radiator hoses and old thermostat as well! You won't believe how much better heat in the winter is with a new thermostat.

This post has been edited by Bitter: Sep 19, 2015 - 8:02 AM

2000 Celica GTS 'slowest gts evar'1998 Mazda 626 FS-DE/CD4-E
Appreciate the tip. I will look into how much that will run me. I put some permatech seal on the crack which looks like it stopped the leak. Just did that so I can drive until the radiator comes. Would you think the patch can sustain a 4 to 5 hour ride during the day?
First picture, you can see the plug on the side of the fan. Second picture, you can see the plug on the side of the fan again, as well as the drain plug and temp sensor in the bottom corner. Unplug the two fans and temp sensor, drain the coolant, disconnect the hoses (which will still spill so be careful,) then remove the two 12 mm bolts on the brackets on top that hold the radiator down. After that, the radiator pulls straight up and out.



"Employ your time in improving yourself by other men's writings, so that you shall gain easily what others labored hard for." -Socrates. Even Socrates told us touse the search button!2006 Aston Martin V8 Vantage.1998 Celica GT-BEAMSSwapped.2022 4Runner TRD Off Road Prenium.2021 GMC Sierra AT4.
Thanks for the pics and info. I checked out the camry site for the parts needed and this is what I came up with. Are these the correct parts I need to do the job? This is the site I found to order at a decent price http://www.villagetoyotaparts.com/cart.aspx

Shopping Cart
Item Item Price Quantity Total Price
1626174010
HOSE, WATER BY-PASS . (J)
Stock Code: 1626174010
$ 9.14

1
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$9.14
1626774030
HOSE, WATER BY-PASS, NO.3
Stock Code: 1626774030
$ 8.15

1
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$8.15
1640574250
CAP SUB-ASSY, RESERVE TANK
Stock Code: 1640574250
$ 11.87

1
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$11.87
9091603046
THERMOSTAT
Stock Code: 9091603046
$ 17.45

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$17.45
9611110400
CLAMP OR CLIP, HOSE(FOR RADIATOR OUTLET NO.1); CLAMP(FOR AIR CLEANER HOSE, NO.1); CLAMP(FOR AIR CLEANER HOSE, NO.2); CLAMP, HOSE; CLAMP, HOSE(FOR INTAKE AIR RESONATOR, NO.2)
Stock Code: 9611110400
$ 2.16

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$4.32
This is the list of parts needed off the Camry link which 955SFE provided. I just put my car specs in and searched for these parts.

Radiator: 140.00
Toyota red coolant: 10.00
Duralast Thermostat: 10.00
Thermostat gasket: 1.00
top hose: 7.00
lower hose: 13.00
hose clamps (x2 sets): 4.00
Distilled water (x2gallons): 3.00
Radiator Cap: 10.00
After seeing radiators for $250 + I am now worried my $55 one is of low quality and will break in a month, or cause other issues if it isn't working properly. http://www.ebay.com/itm/251431951075 That is the one I got.

The patch I put on my radiator just broke, so I need to change this asap. Appreciate the help.
I wrote one of the stickies for radiator replacement

94 Celica GT|Toyota OEM Japan|Toyota Racing Development|Tom's|Competition Clutch|5Zigen|Apexi||Laille/Beatrush|Magnecor|Denso|Royal Purple|Optima|PIAA|PW JDM|Megan Racing|Nitto||Work|Greddy|Samco|Project Mu|H&R|Gates|Moog|Rota|Yokohama|Epman|1320|Upgr804 Celica GT|Toyota OEM Japan|Toyota Racing Development|Tein|BC Racing|Greddy|89 Supra (Sold)90 Supra (Sold)
>
QUOTE (trdproven @ Oct 10, 2015 - 3:30 AM) *
>I wrote one of the stickies for radiator replacement


Idk how I missed that. Sweet write up, I'm printing it now and going to try this. It looks like you may have got the same radiator as I did. How's it holding up?




What do I do with these metal pipes on the bottom of the new radiator? My old one didn't have those
Take them off and recycle them.

2000 Celica GTS 'slowest gts evar'1998 Mazda 626 FS-DE/CD4-E
Thanks, I think I got it.

This post has been edited by Selly_Kuhman: Oct 11, 2015 - 2:56 PM
Well I finished putting everything back together, and of course I messed up the bumper /hood alignment. There's a 1-2 inch gap and for some reason the hood isnt clicking when pressed down. I have a feeling it may have to do with the largest of my left over parts.



for the auto trans oil cooler pipes you see, you can just find a hose and close loop them if you have 5spd trans.

94 Celica GT|Toyota OEM Japan|Toyota Racing Development|Tom's|Competition Clutch|5Zigen|Apexi||Laille/Beatrush|Magnecor|Denso|Royal Purple|Optima|PIAA|PW JDM|Megan Racing|Nitto||Work|Greddy|Samco|Project Mu|H&R|Gates|Moog|Rota|Yokohama|Epman|1320|Upgr804 Celica GT|Toyota OEM Japan|Toyota Racing Development|Tein|BC Racing|Greddy|89 Supra (Sold)90 Supra (Sold)
The hood magically closed somehow, so I guess that's solved. Though I don't remember there being that much space in between the fender and the hood. Will post pic today.

This post has been edited by Selly_Kuhman: Oct 17, 2015 - 10:12 AM
Can you put up pics of the suspected leaking hose?
If the hoses are old and soft, or hard and cracked by the clamps, the possibility of pin holes
and // or hairline cracks increases.
If they are good, ensure they are installed all the way, without any big gaps between hose &
radiator. Excessive gaps may let it leak from the hose end.
Carefully ensure the clamps are tight.

Post pics if you can, maybe a visual of the area will help find the issue.

This post has been edited by Bigblock: Oct 17, 2015 - 10:22 AM
>
QUOTE (Bigblock @ Oct 17, 2015 - 11:21 AM) *
>Can you put up pics of the suspected leaking hose?
If the hoses are old and soft, or hard and cracked by the clamps, the possibility of pin holes
and // or hairline cracks increases.
If they are good, ensure they are installed all the way, without any big gaps between hose &
radiator. Excessive gaps may let it leak from the hose end.
Carefully ensure the clamps are tight.

Post pics if you can, maybe a visual of the area will help find the issue.


I think I found the problem. I only hand tightened the two clamps holding the radiator in place, and forgot to go back and tighten them more. Apparently after a week of driving, the radiator moved around a bit causing it to leak. If securing it doesn't work I will look into the hose connections. They are only one year old, so I would assume they didn't start to crack.
So I was on my way out to work today and saw a nice sized puddle under my car. I did park on an upwards incline, just like the last time it was leaking. Opened the hood and it looked like it was coming from the lower hose. Though it was coming from the other end, not the end connected to the radiator at the bottom.

I hand tightened the clamp till I couldn't and refilled coolant. Let's see if that works... Though I don't know why it would be leaking at a connection point I didn't touch or alter in any way. I'll post pics if I find a puddle under my car when I leave work.

This post has been edited by Selly_Kuhman: Oct 19, 2015 - 8:39 AM
Did you figure out where the missing parts go to? The big bolt looks pretty important.

2000 Celica GTS 'slowest gts evar'1998 Mazda 626 FS-DE/CD4-E
did you figure this out yet, check where you screwed on your sensor, check for cracks.

Where is the leak now?

94 Celica GT|Toyota OEM Japan|Toyota Racing Development|Tom's|Competition Clutch|5Zigen|Apexi||Laille/Beatrush|Magnecor|Denso|Royal Purple|Optima|PIAA|PW JDM|Megan Racing|Nitto||Work|Greddy|Samco|Project Mu|H&R|Gates|Moog|Rota|Yokohama|Epman|1320|Upgr804 Celica GT|Toyota OEM Japan|Toyota Racing Development|Tein|BC Racing|Greddy|89 Supra (Sold)90 Supra (Sold)
Tightened up the other side of the lower hose and no more leak. Even put it on an incline overnight and still nothing. Appreciate all the help. Saved me a good $300 I'm sure.