YACT: '96 Toyota Camry radiator cracked =(

[n0nsensical]

I was driving my car tonight on the highway when all of a sudden, the check engine light goes on and I see that the engine temperature is way too high. Immediately, I pull over and steam just starts pouring out of the hood. When the steam clears, I see a 3-4 inch crack on the top of the radiator. Now, I'm not much a car expert so I was wondering if there was anything I could do to fix it before I take it to the shop. The car's already pretty beat up although it only has about 80,000 miles. Any other suggestions or ideas are welcomed. Thanks in advance.

Cliff notes:
3-4 inch crack on top of radiator
Any way to seal it by myself or do I need to spend some $$$ to replace it?

BTW: This isn't my car, it's my parents. Apparently they never bothering checking fluids so there was absolutely no engine coolant left in the radiator when it cracked.

 

[isekii]

bubblegum

 

[archcommus]

I thought Toyotas and Honda were invincible???

 

[Stumps]

lots of silicon sealer should do the trick..as a temporary measure so you can drive it to the NEAREST garage to have it fixed

 

[thechinesehero]

Originally posted by: archcommus
I thought Toyotas and Honda were invincible???

they are if owners weren't dumb

 

[V00DOO]

Don't be cheap and get a new radiator or else you might be looking at head gasket repair which will cost $1-$2K

 

[Stumps]

Originally posted by: thechinesehero

Originally posted by: archcommus
I thought Toyotas and Honda were invincible???

they are if owners weren't dumb

LMAO...it's funny cause it's true...and that goes for most jap cars...and Aussie Fords

 

[iluvtruenos]

5SFE I4 or something V6?

I think the I4 had a plastic radiator for that year, not really sure as I've worked on only one of each kind, and I remember one version had a plastic radiator.

 

[Ornery]

...they never bothering checking fluids...

That's the LEAST you can do, if they're footing the bill for everything else. It's going to cost them about $150.00 to replace that one, plus labor, unless you install it... hint, hint.

 

[BobDaMenkey]

if your car was running without coolant for a significant ammount of time, the radiator might well be the least of your worries, fyi. Don't cheap out man, get it fixed the right way.

 

[n0nsensical]

Originally posted by: V00DOO
Don't be cheap and get a new radiator or else you might be looking at head gasket repair which will cost $1-$2K

Any rough estimates on the cost for replacing a radiator?

 

[Squisher]

Originally posted by: iluvtruenos
5SFE I4 or something V6?

I think the I4 had a plastic radiator for that year, not really sure as I've worked on only one of each kind, and I remember one version had a plastic radiator.

Hmm, I was going to post about soldering, but I guess that wouldn't work.


J B Weld?

 

[BobDaMenkey]

i'd say no more than 250-300 to get the radiator replaced.

 

[n0nsensical]

Originally posted by: Ornery
...they never bothering checking fluids...

That's the LEAST you can do, if they're footing the bill for everything else. It's going to cost them about $150.00 to replace that one, plus labor, unless you install it... hint, hint.

Yeah, yeah. I wasn't really trying to blame them or anything. I only drive that particular car maybe twice a week. I figure it was either going to be me or them that would have eventually discovered the problem. I just drew the short straw As far as the other car I drive, I try and keep it in tip-top condition.

 

[Squisher]

Part is $95 from rockauto

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/catalog.php?carcode=1273520&parttype=2172

 

[Ornery]

Originally posted by: n0nsensical

I only drive that particular car maybe twice a week. I figure it was either going to be me or them that would have eventually discovered the problem. I just drew the short straw As far as the other car I drive, I try and keep it in tip-top condition. )

Get in the habit of keeping ALL their cars in "tip-top condition". At least check and change the fluids on a set schedule, as well as keeping the tire's air pressure up. No reason you can't keep 'em washed, waxed & vacuumed as well! Start a log of the work done, so you'll know how old the belts, hoses and filters are. There's probably such a log right in the owner's manuals.

 

[iluvtruenos]

Originally posted by: Squisher
Part is $95 from rockauto

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/catalog.php?carcode=1273520&parttype=2172

I remember it was plastic.

 

[thedarkwolf]

Changing a radiator is one of the easier things to do. If you have any tools and half a brain you should be able to do yourself.

 

[iluvtruenos]

And a jack and two stands high enough to be able to raise the car high enough to drop the radiator from the bottom.....not a simple job without a lift/jack and two high stands.

 

[thedarkwolf]

Originally posted by: iluvtruenos
And a jack and two stands high enough to be able to raise the car high enough to drop the radiator from the bottom.....not a simple job without a lift/jack and two high stands.

Drop it from the bottom? Never seen a car where you did that. Only thing you normally have to do from the bottom is remove the lower radiator hose. The only thing holding most radiators in is 2 bolts at the top and then they set in something on the bottom. Just pulls right out the top.

 

[0roo0roo]

ouch, time to check all fluids and all maintenance. them not checking something as simple as the coolant sorta tells u they probably neglect the rest.

 

[iluvtruenos]

Originally posted by: thedarkwolf

Originally posted by: iluvtruenos
And a jack and two stands high enough to be able to raise the car high enough to drop the radiator from the bottom.....not a simple job without a lift/jack and two high stands.

Drop it from the bottom? Never seen a car where you did that. Only thing you normally have to do from the bottom is remove the lower radiator hose. The only thing holding most radiators in is 2 bolts at the top and then they set in something on the bottom. Just pulls right out the top.

Some cars have metal shielding welded to the frame which forces you to drop it.

 

[KokomoGSTmp]

IIRC, the 96 you can just pull it out through the top... I havent worked ona 96 is quite a while.

 

[n0nsensical]

Alright thanks for the help, guys. I think I'll just buy the radiator and install it myself. It wasn't as expensive as I thought.

 

[dquan97]

Had the same thing happen to me ('94 camry). Paid $300 at the dealership to get it fixed