Change your radiator cap
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Driver School Candidate
Joined: Dec 2017
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From: My couch
Change your radiator cap
If you haven’t done it or are unsure how old it is. Believe me, it will save you from some major headaches. A while back I changed the valve cover gaskets on my ‘03 base model. After a few days I went to check the oil level and to see I’d finally stopped the leak. When I opened the hood I found nearly every surface covered in dried pink spray. The overflow tank was empty and it took about a half gallon of antifreeze to fill the rad back up.
Oddly the car never ran hot or indicated any kind of low coolant. After I refilled the radiator it leaked steadily between the plastic tanks and aluminum fins. It took me three aftermarket radiators (NAPA Premium leaked from the upper tank, KOYO trailer towing model was crushed in shipping) to finally get one that didn’t leak. I finally ended up with a Duralast from AZ (Don’t hate. They were the only ones who could get one on a Sunday).
The car car always ran perfectly and the temp gauge never got above the halfway point even on the hottest days (I Iive in the Deep South. Any further south and I’d be standing in the Gulf of Mexico). So it was pretty is to figure out that the radiator cap failed, overpressured the system, and led to massive coolant loss. Which could have led to a massive engine meltdown (thankfully it didn’t) A new radiator cap is incredibly cheap, takes seconds to change, and would’ve saved me from headaches and lost hours. Do yourself a big favor and change yours today.
Oddly the car never ran hot or indicated any kind of low coolant. After I refilled the radiator it leaked steadily between the plastic tanks and aluminum fins. It took me three aftermarket radiators (NAPA Premium leaked from the upper tank, KOYO trailer towing model was crushed in shipping) to finally get one that didn’t leak. I finally ended up with a Duralast from AZ (Don’t hate. They were the only ones who could get one on a Sunday).
The car car always ran perfectly and the temp gauge never got above the halfway point even on the hottest days (I Iive in the Deep South. Any further south and I’d be standing in the Gulf of Mexico). So it was pretty is to figure out that the radiator cap failed, overpressured the system, and led to massive coolant loss. Which could have led to a massive engine meltdown (thankfully it didn’t) A new radiator cap is incredibly cheap, takes seconds to change, and would’ve saved me from headaches and lost hours. Do yourself a big favor and change yours today.
Last edited by TheTiRider; Oct 26, 2018 at 08:57 AM.
Driver
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 77
Likes: 9
From: TX
I was thinking about this the other day, so I did a little research, and it appears that there are different opinions on this topic. I decided to play it safe and replace my radiator cap of unknown age (probably 17 years old) with a brand new OEM cap. It can't hurt, right?
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 878
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From: Arizona
A failed radiator cap doesn't overpressure the system. There are 2 parts that can fail: the gasket that seals it or the spring. If the gasket fails it you lose pressure in the system. If the spring fails (breaks) you lose pressure in the system. I've seen several failed Toyota radiator caps and they all had broken springs. I would consider a cap a maintenance item and cheap insurance as a cooling system with no pressure is a great way to blow head gaskets (even without the car running hot).
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 592
Likes: 37
From: Kentucky
Very good advice^. Radiator cap is cheap and easy to replace.
For some reason, I ended up replacing radiator cap on every new to me Toyota/Lexus that I have bought. I believe on my SC430 and Land Cruiser has some coolant that escape from the cap, so the cap is first thing I replaced as soon as I got home. I have also seen similar problems when I looked at other Toyota. You can see the pink/reddish crust around the cap.
D*** Toyota, very disappointed with the quality here. I expect things to last forever
For some reason, I ended up replacing radiator cap on every new to me Toyota/Lexus that I have bought. I believe on my SC430 and Land Cruiser has some coolant that escape from the cap, so the cap is first thing I replaced as soon as I got home. I have also seen similar problems when I looked at other Toyota. You can see the pink/reddish crust around the cap.
D*** Toyota, very disappointed with the quality here. I expect things to last forever
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 1,129
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From: DFW, TX
What brand is OEM? I need to look at doing this one as well.
Found one at LexusPartsNow.com but the shipping is as much as the part!
RockAuto has a Gates as well as Stant brand for about 1/2 the price as the one from Lexus but I'm not sure they are as good.
Found one at LexusPartsNow.com but the shipping is as much as the part!
RockAuto has a Gates as well as Stant brand for about 1/2 the price as the one from Lexus but I'm not sure they are as good.
CL Community Team
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,694
Likes: 822
From: 565 St Peter NOLA
I believe Denso is the OEM brand. No need to pay shipping on such a small item. Check a local Toyota dealer (1640131480)...
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Great insight and worth replacing! Thank you for bringing this topic to conversation.
By chance does anyone have a list or recommendations on part # to use with each model year?
For example my '03 has 3 (or appears to be 3) options for my model year:Any insight appreciated!
By chance does anyone have a list or recommendations on part # to use with each model year?
For example my '03 has 3 (or appears to be 3) options for my model year:Any insight appreciated!
CL Community Team
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,694
Likes: 822
From: 565 St Peter NOLA
Great insight and worth replacing! Thank you for bringing this topic to conversation.
By chance does anyone have a list or recommendations on part # to use with each model year?
For example my '03 has 3 (or appears to be 3) options for my model year:Any insight appreciated!
By chance does anyone have a list or recommendations on part # to use with each model year?
For example my '03 has 3 (or appears to be 3) options for my model year:Any insight appreciated!
'03 Rad Cap is 1640162100
Last edited by bradland; Oct 29, 2018 at 01:28 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 592
Likes: 37
From: Kentucky
Plus I can get cappuccino and cookies (for the kid) while picking up my parts, so we can call it even haha
Last edited by BCT; Oct 29, 2018 at 07:42 PM.
Lead Lap
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 651
Likes: 24
From: WI
It has always been a good practice to replace your radiator cap every 3-4 years. The cost is low and it can prevent a lot of issues down the road. I would bet this is something most people just do not do...
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