When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Hi Everyone, New to the forum. Have a question regarding the required rad for my car ( 2005 ES330 ) with the ultra premium luxury package including navi.
Got a price on a rad from the dealer for $1037. part # 16400 20261. They said this is the one for my VIN number.
Call another dealer just for fun and gave me same part number for $945.00 BUT he also said there is another value line or MV that he can get part # 16410 AZ044 he said that is also new but will fit into the Camry as well. The cost is $200.
Called the initial dealer back and told him about the valve line and gave him the value line or MV cheaper part number and he stated yah but the quality may not be the same. He can order the cheaper one as well.
My question.............has anyone installed the cheaper rad part #16410 AZ044 and had any issues and how long has it been in the car.
If they are both made in China then they should be of similar quality??? Also, if I let the dealer order the cheaper one they are responsible for the correct install if I have it installed there.
I just wanted to know if there was any huge reliability issues with going with their cheaper value line as opposed to the more expensive replacement called for.
I put this in our car three years ago; same as OE. This is the 1" cored one for slightly more capacity (e.g., "w/tow package"). Most came with 5/8" core so this is a slight upgrade.
Denso made in China is not the same as the original part, that's why the dealer gave two quotes the expensive one matches the original.
They are the same; Denso has different facilities and build the same part, and ships globally/installs globally. The new cars have chinese content in them; heck, the new ES models aren't even built in Japan.
I can vouch for Denso on Amazon as well, however I had an issue with rust. One of the transmission cooler lines started to leak. I think what happened is I didn't seat the rubber hose all the way, so it left a little gap where corrosion started building up and eventually created a leak. I swapped in another one and it's been working well. They look exactly like the original, with the same holes and everything, so no fitment issue at all.
Update.................Just want to thank everyone who helped with suggestions on my rad change. Bought the one from Rockauto ( denso w/o the towing package ). Went by the number stamped on the original rad and the reference numbers on Rockauto brought up this one. Anyways, the rad is in, and seem to run ok. The temp gauge is the same place as before. Watched my son replace it since he is a licensed mechanic for another auto brand and it wasn't that difficult at all.
I have an issue regarding my transmission fluid level. We changed the rad and of course some tranny fluid came out in the process ( through the tranny cooler line ) so we topped it up with T-IV Toyota fluid. Now it gives me inconsistent readings when fully warmed up. Here is the thing.......when its fully warmed up, the fluid on the stick is touching the first notch of the hot section THEN there is a break in the fluid about 1-2 inches then more tranny fluid is showing up.
Has anyone encountered this problem?
Does this mean I over filled the tranny fluid or is my fluid level correct?