need a radiator, where? Options

[Terzin1]

My radiator cracked the other day and my engine temp. shot to the ceiling. I parked it immediately and shut the car off and had it towed home. I don't think there is severe engine damage but the radiator damage is catastrophic. What's the best place to buy a new one for a 95 GT convertible? Also, it was the very top part where the hoses connect that broke. is this individually replaceable?

This post has been edited by Terzin1: May 11, 2015 - 4:05 PM

[VavAlephVav]

No, that radiator is all one plastic piece across the top you wouldn't want to try and repair a broken part of it. Get a whole new one.
From there it's just a matter of how much you want to spend.
You can go to Toyota and bendover, you can get a better price on rockauto but have to pay for shipping and wait on it.
For this I just went down to the local auto parts store and got one, around $200 maybe. Be sure and replace stuff like the Thermostat, radiator cap, and hoses while you're at it.

[Box]

If you turned it off right after it happened you'll be fine, the radiator blowing depressurized the system causing the perceived temperature spike.

Used to there were radiator repair shops that'd could replace the tank, but I haven't seen one in awhile. Though in more urban areas you might have better luck. I'd grab the Koyo replacement off Amazon or eBay if it were me.

[Barbershop]

I have a '99 Hatchback GT and my radiator kicked the bucket when I was out with my friends one night. I came home and noticed that my temperature gauge was at the top instead of sitting a hair below the half-way point. I called around to various auto shops in my city and found mine at Advance Auto Parts for around $200 I want to say. It can be done in a garage with you and a friend if you want to save some money and not take it into a shop.

[Terzin1]

Thanks for the replies. I don't know if I messed up here but I found one for $65 shipped! Here's the link: did I mess up?

http://www.genesisautoparts.com/product/ra...CFQYHaQodLjMAnQ

[Jmk91]

Google the company its been reported as a rip off site. That price is to good to be true. I've seen many sites the same way... it is not BBB accredited. You may get lucky or be scammed. Unless you know someone who has gotten parts off that site or you have I'd stay away... That's my 2 cents tho.

[Jmk91]

Advanced auto always has coupon codes for 30% off orders I'd check that out or try what box suggested

Here is the code for 30% off an order 50$ or more TRT30

This post has been edited by Jmk91: May 11, 2015 - 10:24 PM

[Noahwhite2014]

http://www.amazon.com/Spectra-Premium-CU15...toyota%3Acelica

Last one in stock for now, 85 shipped WITH transmission cooler built in since a lot of them aren't going to have it which would mean you'd have to run a separate transmission fluid cooler which is a pain when just trying to replace something.

I bought this same brand from amazon and it is very good quality. Everything is sealed and clean and shipped very well thanks to amazon.

Pick up new hoses too, and order a thermostat while you're at it.
Upper hose
http://www.amazon.com/Gates-22272-Upper-Ra...=radiator+hoses
Lower Hose
http://www.amazon.com/Gates-22271-Lower-Ra...=radiator+hoses
thermostat
http://www.amazon.com/Stant-45758-SuperSta...toyota%3Acelica
Thermostat Gasket
http://www.amazon.com/Beck-Arnley-039-0077...ermostat+gasket

Your hoses are drying out with the old coolant inside of them. Its just nasty and probably need to be replaced
You will need a new thermostat as the old fluid is drying and causing the thermostat to rust now which will get it stuck halfway open and you will have a car that runs until a greater load is put on the engine and you'll start overheating.
Your thermostat gasket is old and ripped apart if its never been replaced

Also i forgot to mention, it will take about 15 minutes to replace, but an hour or so to flush EVERYTHING out properly. Use distilled water, if possible or a hose will be fine

This post has been edited by Noahwhite2014: May 12, 2015 - 4:04 AM

[Bitter]

Dealer t-stat and gasket is much much better quality and not that much more expensive.

SPI is a good brand generally, rarely do we have problems with them.

[cheela]

Advanced auto always has coupon codes for 30% off orders I'd check that out or try what box suggested

Here is the code for 30% off an order 50$ or more TRT30

^this. when mine was leaking I replaced it with one from advance for about $70 or $80 after coupon and everything.

[Terzin1]

Guys, I can't thank you enough for the support. I really wish I had waited for all of these great replies before ordering from Genesis Auto. Seems some people have had decent success with them and others have not. The radiator has been shipped already so I can only hope that it comes as described - in decent shape. I'm kind of nervous now

I'll order some hoses and a t-stat while I'm at it though to finish the job. In case anyone is wondering what my radiator looks like here's a pic:

IMG_2014 by Jon Terzini

[Box]

Dealer t-stat and gasket is much much better quality and not that much more expensive.

SPI is a good brand generally, rarely do we have problems with them.

The Stant SuperStat is actually quite good, as they meter the flow versus the more on/off nature of traditional thermostats. It's what I put into the Firebird and the temperature gradually climbs and levels out(real gauge mind you) and it was only like $4 off RockAuto.

[Bitter]

Yes the stant's are good, but they're still a normal poppet style that's either open or closed within about 15 degrees +/- opening temp. What you're seeing with the steady temp rise on the gauge in the bird is the big heater bypass and constant cooling fan.

Even next to OEM the best Stant looks pretty wimpy. This is a cheap MotoRad part but Stant isn't all that much different in most cases.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/general-disc...thermostat.html

[Box]

Not the SuperStat: http://www.stant.com/index.php/english/pro...tat-thermostat/

The only thing missing is the cape. On the Japanese cars I've seen where the OEM usually is better than the aftermarket offerings, but with most of the older cars I'm sure something like Stant is better than what the original was. Same thing with water-pumps, the VQ30DE is a prime example of the o.e. pump being considerably better.

[Bitter]

I'm used to seeing the standard/budget line of Stant then. Superstat is probably OE quality. I know on the ZZ and AZ engines the aftermarket t-stat gaskets are harder rubber and prone to leaking, the OE is a softer white rubber and almost never leaks.

[Box]

Once Stant came out with the SuperStat series I've never gone back. They're only about twice as much as the regular aftermarket stats, and off RockAuto they're a steal.

[Terzin1]

just a follow up. Genesis delivered the radiator. It came well packed but no warranty paper or anything. It supposedly has a lifetime warranty