Cracked radiator top

[ThoughT ExperimenTs]

Today I had the top of my radiator crack on my ST182 celica. Toyota said they'd charge me $450 to replace the radiaotr, put new fluid in it and flush out the engine, all of those are easy but the labou is only about $80 - so it's still expensive.

My friend thinks I can just buy a rod of the same plastic and plastic solder it, but apparently it's relaly hard to get that to be strong enough.

Also I could buy just the top part of the radiator, I think Toyota quoted $280 for that to happen.


Any ideas on what to do? I sorta need to have it going again ASAP, And today I spent 3 and a half hours waiting fro a tow truck.

[Lloyd]

Go to a radiator specialist and get a quote as to what a repair is worth. Radiators aren't usually a cheap item from anywhere, repairs aren't always either depending on how bad it is

[ThoughT ExperimenTs]

Problem is that it's going to be hard to drive anywhere

[Alex B]

take water and radiator out its easy as pie

[GTCRSHR]

to be honest that price sounds pretty reasonable for a radiator .... from my point of view

i got quoted around the 300 mark to recore my old one onmy old car so a brand new one for $450 is good

if i was you i would take it ....

or just buy it from toyota and do the job your self? peice of piss to put a radiator in

[Ae92typeX]

ask around some radiator places, you will get it cheaper than what you have been quoted.
another option is to check out the wreckers, a fraction of the cost if you can do the work yourself.

[ThoughT ExperimenTs]

Yea I can do the work myself, I just want a cheap solution that will work, the car was only $1600 (I wonder why lol)

[Ae92typeX]

If you can get to them, perhaps check out some of the pick-a-parts in auckland. Even if they dont have a st182 there may be another toyota with a compatable radiator- either take yours in or get the measurments written down.
Obviously, being a used item as well, just make sure its in good condition as they dont give any warranty so just get one that looks good overall.
I'd go for that option as its cheap and in my opinion better than plastic welding up the old one.

[ThoughT ExperimenTs]

ok cheers, will try and have a look asap.

[1598cc]

just use this epoxy steel shit.. looks liek bluetack, you jsut mix it around and stick over the crack.. works well providing you get a good contact.. otherwise even just get a radiator from another car.. you can get radiators cheap as chips, and they all do the same thing!

[Dori_85]

i work at a radiator shop down in chch, to replace a tank on ur celica we'd charge 173+gst if u bought the radiator to us or 223+gst if we pulld it in and out of the car.
plastic tanks only cost about $70-$100. just thought id let ya know.