My radiator works, kind of.

[oregon85wheeler]

My Toy gets hot when running hard and slow. To clean the radiator out would be $95. Any thing else I should try before I dump that much money into it? The guy at the shop said I should take it out and hose it off and try it for awhile. What else?

[Kyron]

The basics

The belt is good ?

The T-stat is new? and the right type?

How old is the water pump?

Are you running straight anti-frez? (hope not!)

[Arnold]

I agree w/ everything Kyron said and also do a pressure check on the coolant system. You can get a brand new radiator from www.radiatorbarn.com for almost the same price as cleaning the rad you got now.:)

[Oatmeal]

Are you sure your fan clutch is operating properly? Here's how I've cleaned the radiators in both my Bronco and Toyota (I can't take credit for it though, read about it in Toyota Trails:rolleyes: ).........First remove the radiator and flush it out thoroughly then, lay it flat, cap on, with the outlets facing up, fill it with muriatic (pool) acid, let it "stew" for about 10 mins, drain it into a bucket and rinse with water again. do this about 2 or 3 times and you'll be suprised how much junk comes out and how much cooler it will run. Oh, and you can reuse the acid for the second and third flushes once you let the sediment settle;) Try this before shelling out the bucks to a radiator shop for a flush (they do basically the same thing:eek: ) or new radiator. If you do encounter a leak, it's because you flushed away the rust that was plugging it anyway:D ........Hans

[allpro yota]

I dont know if many people know this. but i guess some hardcore yota guys do. I have a v-6 radiator in mine and she stays cool as can be. Anyways, hope i was help,

allpro

[Rescue]

Originally posted by Oatmeal
Are you sure your fan clutch is operating properly? Here's how I've cleaned the radiators in both my Bronco and Toyota (I can't take credit for it though, read about it in Toyota Trails:rolleyes: ).........First remove the radiator and flush it out thoroughly then, lay it flat, cap on, with the outlets facing up, fill it with muriatic (pool) acid, let it "stew" for about 10 mins, drain it into a bucket and rinse with water again. do this about 2 or 3 times and you'll be suprised how much junk comes out and how much cooler it will run. Oh, and you can reuse the acid for the second and third flushes once you let the sediment settle;) Try this before shelling out the bucks to a radiator shop for a flush (they do basically the same thing:eek: ) or new radiator. If you do encounter a leak, it's because you flushed away the rust that was plugging it anyway:D ........Hans

Do you dilute the acid or straight from the bottle? I think muriatic acid is already diluted in the bottle right?

[Runner-Man]

I'll tell you one thing NOT to do: Do NOT use the Prestone radiator flush chemical. I tried this on my '89, just as a matter of maintenance, and it ate the seals out of the water pump. I just pulled the water pump off the truck and the bearings are good (it was only 4 yrs old anyway) with no noticeable play in them but water leaks out of the weep hole on the water pump.

I also had to replace the water pump in my car last fall about 2 weeks after I ran the flush, but I thought it was coincidence. My 4Runner started leaking (pouring is more like it) before I was done with the flush phase of the process. It didn't leak at all before.

As for your problem: Are you sure your radiator is the right size? If you aren't the 1st owner, be aware that the previous owner might have replaced the original radiator with a smaller unit. When I first got my truck it would run very warm. I replaced the thermostat and water pump (had already replaced the frozen fan clutch), then ended up biting the bullet for the cost of a new radiator. When the radiator came in it was much larger than the one that was on the truck, and it solved the problem completely.

Also check fan shroud (make sure it's there, anyway) and fan clutch.

Good Luck with it!

[Oatmeal]

Originally posted by Rescue
Do you dilute the acid or straight from the bottle? I think muriatic acid is already diluted in the bottle right? Straight from the bottle. Watch your eyes and clothes though, it can put out some nasty fumes too:eek: And, no, it comes full strength ............Hans

[Oatmeal]

I forgot to mention that when you flush it out, flush it in reverse to better dislodge all the crap that's been traveling the other direction;) and take the time to straighten any bent fins, that can have a big effect on air flow and heat exchange!........Hans

[oregon85wheeler]

I think it might be the fan clutch. I ran it up some good hills on the highway and it stayed nice and cool. It is the sand that was getting it.