Radiator question

Question on radiators with first generation trucks: is the radiator a completely different design between the first generation Tundras and the Sequoias? I ask, because I see people recommending to change out the rad on the early Tundras, because the transmission lines run thru it for cooling and if it fails, you could lose your transmission. On the first generation Sequoias however, they appear to have a factory installed trans cooler that is independent from the rad. Just wondering if this is true.

 

Yes early 2000s the lower portion of the radiator had a trans cooler built in. Many makers did this and some still do. There are many examples of the "pink milkshake" (what you get when mixing engine coolant with trans fluid) and it can be catastrophic for the trans.

Avoid it by changing the radiator out every 10 yrs or when the tank color shifts from gray to brownish. Luck.

 

I am about 99% sure the 1st gen Sequoia transmission cooler lines also run through the radiator. Sequoia and the tundra double cab are the same platform and share many parts and my 06 DC's transmission cooler lines run through the bottom of the radiator

 

if thats the case, what’s the little cooler for in front of the condenser on the first generation Sequoias? Maybe it’s a factory oil cooler??

 

It is the transmission cooler. But it also has fluid lines that run through the radiator.

I believe the oil is cooled by coolant running from the radiator, but doesn't have a separate cooler

 

Wow. Interesting. Had no idea the trans was getting cooled multiple ways. Thanks for information.

 

I found that out recently because I'd always thought the transmission cooler system was separate from the radiator until I recently replaced my timing belt and radiator

 

Seems like a risky idea of using the rad to aid trans cooling to me. I would much prefer two separate systems. Electrolysis, or even an internal failure of the rad and now you’d more than likely lose your trans too.

 

I agree. However if you follow the recommendations of this forum and replace the radiator every hundred thousand miles when you do the timing belt, it very much minimizes and almost eliminates that risk

and use the appropriate coolant and replaced/flush per manufacturers recommendations

 

You can always keep your radiator and just bypass the trans cooler portion, just plumb in an aux trans cooler.

 

Even though I don't care for the design, there is a reason the Toyota engineers routed it through the radiator. So I strongly suspect that if you bypass the radiator then the transmission fluid would be more likely to overheat or not be as cool under heavy loads

 

Probably best to just keep things as is. Embarrassing to say, but I just found out about the preventative maintenance of installing a new rad every 100k yesterday. My 2001 Sequoia has over 300k with the original rad. Time to place an order. Sure do appreciate all the advice.

 

I just joined the forum about 2 years ago and found out about that myself as well as several other great recommendations from this forum that none of my previous mechanics had done.

Looking back I had a problem with the radiator and it had to be replaced somewhere between 175,000 and 225,000 miles.

it's like replacing the water pump, pulleys, tensioner pulley's, etc. while doing the timing belt. By replacing the radiator, you're eliminating a point of failure, is easier to do since you have it broken down for the TB change, and is very much worth it for the price. I believe I got my Denso radiator for about 175. Worth that piece of mind especially given the transmission fluid runs through it

 

Get the Denso from Rockauto or other trustworthy place. Do not order it from Amazon

 

I just did my TB 4 months ago when the truck hit 300k. Bummer I didn’t know about this sooner, but swapping the rad out is a breeze. I already ordered a Denso unit for it. To be honest though, I think I’m going to stick with Toyota Super red coolant in the Sequoia and change it every 30-50k. My 2017 Tundra uses the extra long life pink along with my wife’s Lexus RX 350. I had to change the water pumps on both before 50k because of leaks. Could be a crappy pump design but I’m guessing it’s more fluid related. Seems to be far more issues with the pink causing leaks than the red. The Sequoia manual calls for red anyway and not pink.

 

Way ahead of you lol. I NEVER order Toyota parts from anywhere but a trusted source.

 

I replaced the radiator in my daughter's 02 tree earlier this year. It's pretty straightforward, and yes, the radiator juice goes through it on the bottom. I just pulled the line and quickly turned it up and wedged it to stay back. Only lost maybe a tablespoon of juice. Just remember you'll need a touch over 2 gallons of Aisin pink/red coolant.

 

Also, get you a pool noodle or similar to cut up and stick between the top of the radiator and core support. The old one will be stuck to the old radiator.

 

Thanks for the tip.

 

It was actually to get the transmission to warm up quicker on a cold start in colder temps/climates.

 

Mine bought from Amazonia was authentic but in the first shipment it came broken. Poor packaging and rough handling that caused the damage.

 

Power steering cooler - 2nd gen Sequandras have one too.

Do Tundras have a steering cooler also?

 

Yeah that's honestly why I don't recommend Amazon for this part. It seems to be authentic but it's always damaged from shipping. I had two of them damaged that way myself.

 

I believe the trucks with the factory towing package got the extra trans cooler out front but all of them run thru the radiator.

 

My 2006 Double Cab has the steering cooler. I replaced all my power steering lines earlier this year, and definitely had to deal with that cooler.

 

A golf tee works to plug the hoses while swapping out radiators.

 

I haven’t looked but surprised they are that small.

 

My OEM rad lasted 240k lol

pipe insulator works also. That's what I'm currently using

 

Slick

 

Not true. No towing on mine but the tranny cooler exists.