Coolant and Rads

[whitespider]

G'day fellow surfers,

Car is now in garage getting the head replaced. Ordered up the bits from UK heads, who informed me I have to take out the radiator and test it.

This is a real pain, I am seriously running out of money and patience with this car and anymore added expense is insane.

Prior to going into the garage for head re-fit, the heaters were fine and the pipes in and out of radiator were hot after running. Is it really necessary to test radiator??

Also should I change the thermostat?

Also- what is the best coolant for refill of rad?

Anything else I should be thinking about? I have changed the t-belt not long back.

Any opinions welcome.

Just to say thanks for all the help on fitting Abar- the bolts are available via Toyota. They got me some in 2 days, Toyota Dundee are Surf friendly.
cheers
Ronnie

[Guest]

G'day fellow surfers,

Car is now in garage getting the head replaced. Ordered up the bits from UK heads, who informed me I have to take out the radiator and test it.

This is a real pain, I am seriously running out of money and patience with this car and anymore added expense is insane.

Prior to going into the garage for head re-fit, the heaters were fine and the pipes in and out of radiator were hot after running. Is it really necessary to test radiator??

Also should I change the thermostat?

Also- what is the best coolant for refill of rad?

Anything else I should be thinking about? I have changed the t-belt not long back.

Any opinions welcome.

Just to say thanks for all the help on fitting Abar- the bolts are available via Toyota. They got me some in 2 days, Toyota Dundee are Surf friendly.
cheers
Ronnie

Ronnie.

I guess that UK heads want the rad tested for warranty purposes, so that they know that a bad radiator won't kill the head and leave them out of pocket. To be honest with all this work being done I would do it just to be on the safe side. Testing it shouldn't cost much, would just be a pressure test and a flow through test. Should take all of 5 minutes to set up (if the rad is off the car) and about 1 hour to complete. To be honest the garage should be able to do it themselves - doesn't need a radiator specialist to do it - just a pressure pump and gauge.

Change the Stat - it's pennies and while it's all apart it's worth it.

Coolant - just buy a good one - comma, bluecol, Halfords special top of the range stuff (can't remeber what they call it). Just make sure it is Ethylene Glycol and has corrosion inhibitors in it.

I also put some DEI radiator Releif in mine - it reduce the temp quite a bit and really promotes quick warmup (2 minutes to heaters hot compared to 5 minutes).

Don't lose heart, you are nearly there with it. A new head and you should be set for miles and miles and miles and miles of great Surfing.

Cheers

[Pete]

G'day fellow surfers,

Car is now in garage getting the head replaced. Ordered up the bits from UK heads, who informed me I have to take out the radiator and test it.

This is a real pain, I am seriously running out of money and patience with this car and anymore added expense is insane.

Prior to going into the garage for head re-fit, the heaters were fine and the pipes in and out of radiator were hot after running. Is it really necessary to test radiator??

Also should I change the thermostat?

Also- what is the best coolant for refill of rad?

Anything else I should be thinking about? I have changed the t-belt not long back.

Any opinions welcome.

Just to say thanks for all the help on fitting Abar- the bolts are available via Toyota. They got me some in 2 days, Toyota Dundee are Surf friendly.
cheers
Ronnie

Ronnie
For your own peace of mind I would get the radiator flow checked, and get a receipt saying it's been done. Also, when it's running again make sure the viscous fan is working properly. Cover yourself from every angle possible. Don't expect too much of a warranty on the head if you can't prove your cooling system is working properly.
Pete