Sunday, May 30, 2010 - 01:23 am, by: Ali Saeed(Ali)
so there hasnt been any signs of overheating as such, but the "low coolant" warning pops up time to time. then today smoke from the engine bay. looks like boiled coolant and smells like it too. the "steam" is coming from the place circled in red. and i can see water bubbling. at first i thought it might be a blocked radiator, because the heater wasnt working very well at all. should i just look for a 2nd hand uncracked one?
I had my top tank replaced a couple of months ago trade price was $209 other quotes were $280. He got the top tank from South Australia over night. I pulled the rad out myself to save some money. The plastic tanks last for about 15 years if you get 19 years like I did then you would not look for a second hand one.
Sunday, May 30, 2010 - 12:48 pm, by: Chris Ryan(Ryzan)
Hey Ali,
You can get a NEW SC400 (direct replacement) radiator off ebay with ALLOY top and bottom tanks (no more cracking) for about $300AUD delivered. Might be a little more with the crap Aussie dollar.
I'll see if I can find the company I bought from when I get home.
O'Connor radiators 4 Pritchard St O'Connor 08 93311143
The new tank will last 15 years, the radiator core gets a service and should not wear out if its had proper coolant, for $200 you get a reconditioned radiator.
Sunday, May 30, 2010 - 02:14 pm, by: Ali Saeed(Ali)
thanks Stephen.
Chris i spent hours looking for the name of the business. all i could find on ebay US were plastic top tanks. i really cant be arsed forking out 500 dollars for local alloy ones, so if you can find the name of the seller you got it off it would be great. thanks
Miles Baker Goo Roo Vic 66 Mustang GT Convertible, 55 Chevy Bel Air, 69 Firebird 455, 69 Nova SS Clone, 65 Mustang Fastback, 67 Mustang Convertible, 67 Camaro RS/SS
Sunday, May 30, 2010 - 02:29 pm, by: Miles Baker(Milesb)
There are places that will sell you a plastic tanked radiator for 100 US plus shipping.. pretty good deal. Shipping shouldn't run much over 150 bucks I wouldn't think.
Monday, May 31, 2010 - 01:59 am, by: Ali Saeed(Ali)
oh its already spraying out coolant. im pretty sure a blocked radiator caused this, due to pressure build up. now gotta decide between new radiator or top tank.
Monday, May 31, 2010 - 01:11 pm, by: Peter Nitschke(Pen)
Boris Siljanoski wrote on Monday, May 31, 2010 - 11:28 am:
To replace top tank it's about $150, and then you will probably blow another top tank again meaning that $150 is gone to waste.
Why will it blow again?
The original tank lasted many years, a replacement should last a fair while too. They crack because they get old, no other reason.
Ali, a blocked radiator won't directly cause an increase in pressure. Indirectly though, if the water over heated then the pressure would increase.
The radiator shop should check the condition of the core before fitting the new tank, so if it's stuffed they won't go ahead. If it's not stuffed, then you can forget about it being a problem for many years to come.
Many of us have replaced the top tank, and only ever done it once.
Monday, May 31, 2010 - 02:37 pm, by: Ali Saeed(Ali)
thanks for the advice Peter, i will ring around some places and get a quote. will have to make up my mind before soon. i drove this morning with the cap half open and there was no coolant spray.
Hey Chris/Tom do you guys have a picture of the radiator in the car?
Monday, May 31, 2010 - 02:39 pm, by: Ali Saeed(Ali)
also Peter, i figured it might be a blocked radiator because my heater wasnt working properly. anyway might as well get a new thermostat from toyota. i assume all 1uz have the same thermostat?
Wouldn't bother with top tank replacement, since anyway most people are going for performance and would want better cooling so why not just spend extra cash and get a larger all alloy rad so yeah
Peter Nitschke Junk Filterer South Australia UZZ30 UZZ31
Tuesday, June 01, 2010 - 03:59 pm, by: Ali Saeed(Ali)
is it possible that a lack of anitboil in the system(more water than antiboil) can cause the water to boil making steam shoot out off the overflow bottle?
Tuesday, June 01, 2010 - 11:22 pm, by: Ali Saeed(Ali)
things i know
1. more water in the system than antiboil 2. thermostat is definitely stuffed 3. radiator core is most likely got SOME blockages 4. there was air in the system which i bled out today.
things i am unsure of: there ever being a crack in the radiator top tank
i think i will get the core cleaned tomorrow and get the guy to look at the top tank too. give it a good flush with a new thermostat and see how i go.
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