Radiators: repair, secondhand or new?

[Dutton]

Ok here's the thing.

Radiator's cracked, about 8 inches long in the header tankish part, just below the radiator cap.

I'm still see-sawing on the issue of maintaining my '90 Supra as a stock car and havn't been able to confuse myself enough with forum or google searches, so though I'd ask you all to confuse me more.

Considering the stock radiator just failed, would it be more advisable to go to a repairer and get the current radiator welded etc, or source a 2nd hand one through here or SCONZ etc or lastly: Say $&#$% the classic completely stock vibe and get a new alloy big $&#$% off radiator?

I'm leaning towards either the repair or 2nd hand option, but have managed to avoid having the radiator go on any of my other cars, so don't know if a repair is more or less of a time bomb than a 2nd hand replacement. (My drunk self's ambiguous way of asking. And do not even guess how long this post is taking to type).

The only advantage I can see to getting the new alloy radiator is that is frees the way for every other mod I can lay my hands on. But there's nothing quite like opening the hood and being able to say: See, even the air filter is stock...

Tho hypocritically I'm still tossing and turning at night over getting some TEIN springs to make the car look sleeker. But that's another, if some what partly related, story...

[Twolitre]

It's common for the top tank to go on plastic topped radiators, it's also common and easy for a radiator repair shop to replace the top tank so if the rest of your radiator is in good condition just get the top tank replaced and it should be good for years to come.

[MAGN1T]

The top tank normally splits when you've got a blown headgasket.


Steve

[sergei]

The top tank normally splits when you've got a blown headgasket.


Steve

BS! Obviously you never dealt with large amount of used jap imports.
The top tank may split at about 100k regardless of condition of the motor.
When I used to work for car importer, we had split tanks on odysseys, CRVs, RAV4, celicas etc. It is very common on celica. Plastic just deteriorates.

[fangsport]

the plastic used in most radiator tanks has too much nylon in it and can't be welded successfully.

a second-hand radiator could be almost as bad as the one you currently have.
take it to radiator shop , get top tank removed, rod the core and fit new tank. job done.

[MAGN1T]

The top tank normally splits when you've got a blown headgasket.


Steve

BS! Obviously you never dealt with large amount of used jap imports.
The top tank may split at about 100k regardless of condition of the motor.
When I used to work for car importer, we had split tanks on odysseys, CRVs, RAV4, celicas etc. It is very common on celica. Plastic just deteriorates.

You're obviously a newbie when it comes to blowups.

Every single top tank split without exception that I've personsally seen was caused by a blown headgasket.

Steve

[Mr.Phreak]

I guess there are a lot of cars with blown head gaskets then

[jakesae101]

my ae85 top tank cracked around the inlet hose luckly a toyspeed member hooked me up with another 1 for a good price and it looked new id goto abel radiators they quoted me the cheapest re tank when i was looking to get my one re tanked was around 220 to get it retanked and cleaned out ect

[Bling]

my ae85 top tank cracked around the inlet hose luckly a toyspeed member hooked me up with another 1 for a good price and it looked new id goto abel radiators they quoted me the cheapest re tank when i was looking to get my one re tanked was around 220 to get it retanked and cleaned out ect

You want to get your head gasket checked as according to MAGN1T your car has a blown head gasket

[Lloyd]

Most of the split tank ones I've seen are nothing to do with a headgasket. The head gasket issue comes when people keep driving them with water pouring out and never fill it up or get it fixed. More common ones are Subarus and Mazdas, mainly Familias.

If you're not wanting to do it all out like you're talking with the alloy job then go to a radiator specialist and price up a tank for it. Usually a quick and not too costly exercise

[Boosted_162]

Got my Lexus top tank replaced, cost me $200. Was quite difficult to locate being a not so common car tho.

I wouldnt go 2nd hand, i put a 2nd hand one in after i blew the first in my RC, broke the top tank a week later. So i went all out and got an alloy one

[thegreatestben]

I can see that people's top tanks split cos they push on them way too hard when the do the 2nd half turn of the cap. In some cases anyway.

[MrOizo]

i'm with Sergei on this one...

Sounds like most of your cars had a blown head gasket to start with

Of course the tanks if old and cracking will fail earlier due to additional pressure from a blown gasket.

Have you not thought that the headgasket blew as a result of poor cooling system?

The top tank normally splits when you've got a blown headgasket.


Steve

BS! Obviously you never dealt with large amount of used jap imports.
The top tank may split at about 100k regardless of condition of the motor.
When I used to work for car importer, we had split tanks on odysseys, CRVs, RAV4, celicas etc. It is very common on celica. Plastic just deteriorates.

You're obviously a newbie when it comes to blowups.

Every single top tank split without exception that I've personsally seen was caused by a blown headgasket.

Steve

[99gtt]

just buy a new oem .cost you about $240 for twin core

[Lloyd]

I can see that people's top tanks split cos they push on them way too hard when the do the 2nd half turn of the cap. In some cases anyway.

Not the problem. The heat does it, you'll see the cracks starting nowhere near the filler cap. Certain model more so than others

[tsoob]

+1 BUY A NEW ONE