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Crashed Truck Sat 3, 4 Months - Do I Need to Flush Before New Radiator Install?

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by BenevolentMachination, Feb 29, 2020.

  1. Feb 29, 2020 at 8:03 AM
    #1
    BenevolentMachination

    BenevolentMachination [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 14, 2018
    Member:
    #241207
    Messages:
    110
    Ground Zero
    Vehicle:
    2000 Tacoma 3RZ 4WD Xtra
    It has been about three months since I wrecked my truck. Yeah, I wrecked!
    It's not so bad, but unfortunately I deleted all the pictures of the wreck so no - you can't see it.

    It destroyed my front bumper, radiator, condenser, and radiator support. However, the damage was done to the front right of the truck; I had to replace all the above as well as the engine air box.

    How? I was being impulsive and ran myself into a guard rail that was covered by weeds; low speed crash. Anyway, I am skeptical of just installing the new radiator, topping off and starting it up assuming it doesn't need some kind of flush.

    I also overheated the engine on the way home for about a mile and once more for a two minute period at a stop light.

    The truck has been sitting for three months without a radiator.

    Question: Because the truck has been sitting without a radiator for three months (with the hoses taped off), should I assume it's okay to just install new radiator and and top it off with fluid?


    Or should I: Buy an old radiator, run coolant flush thru, drain, then install new radiator?

    I'm not sure how the innards of an engine hold up to being exposed to the elements without a radiator.
     
  2. Feb 29, 2020 at 9:07 AM
    #2
    QMEDJoe

    QMEDJoe Proverbs 3:5-6

    Joined:
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    Joe
    Columbus Grove, Ohio
    Vehicle:
    2003 Tacoma, V6, 5 speed, 4x4.
    Fox 2.0 Coilovers in the front and Fox 2.0’s in the rear, Total Chaos UCA’s, Al-lpro expo leafs, K&N cold air intake, TRD headers,Magnaflow catback exhaust,URD short throw shifter, switched out my 60/40 bench seat for some Tacoma Limited seats, Replaced the vinyl shift boot for a leather one, completely soundproofed the cab w/ Frost King. Replaced stock radio with a Pioneer AVH series head unit. Focal component system w/a 10" sub powered by 2 Alpine amps. Weathertech floor mats. Line-X'd the bed. SCS Ray 10’s, Installed an A.R.E. MX series camper shell. All-Pro Apex front bumper w/ All-Pro skid plates all the way back to the Trans. Low Range fuel skid plate.
    When was the last time you flushed your radiator? If never then you definitely should do it but unfortunately you can’t flush it through the old radiator prior to installing a new one but it can’t hurt the new radiator. I say do it!

    edit: reread your post. If you could buy a used cheap radiator from a pick and pull prior to installing a new one that possibly might be the safer method but I don’t know how necessary it is. I flushed my old radiator and didn’t see any large chunks of sediment which makes me believe if you installed the new one and flushed it out, it wouldn’t hurt it. Just a guess, someone may chime in with more knowledge on how to properly flush a radiator. Sorry I couldn’t be any more help.
     
    Last edited: Feb 29, 2020
  3. Feb 29, 2020 at 9:26 AM
    #3
    Black DOG Lila

    Black DOG Lila Well-Known Member

    Joined:
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    Virginia
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    2003 Tacoma SR5 2.7 5 speed 4WD
    Stock. EZ pass.Dump pass.Inspection sticker.Convict printed lic.plates.FG cap.
    Slap in new Rad. fill with pink and drive it like you stole it:thumbsup:
     
  4. Feb 29, 2020 at 9:45 AM
    #4
    billybop90

    billybop90 Well-Known Member

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    Bill
    Black Hills SD
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    1996 Taco, 2.7, 4WD, 5 spd
    Wash, rinse and repeat. At least for peace of mind. I had a rebuilt 3RZ sit for 3 weeks and did that, didn't see anything weird and its one less thing to worry about.
    IMG_1281.jpg
     
    Last edited: Feb 29, 2020
    QMEDJoe likes this.
  5. Mar 10, 2020 at 2:35 AM
    #5
    BenevolentMachination

    BenevolentMachination [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 14, 2018
    Member:
    #241207
    Messages:
    110
    Ground Zero
    Vehicle:
    2000 Tacoma 3RZ 4WD Xtra
    Thank you all for the replies.

    I'm going the easy route on this one.
    I've driven the truck about 10,000 miles since I bought it and although I have not flushed before, I think it's all good. I will do a simple water flush, but I won't be taking it the whole nine yards with a flush solution.

    Now if only I could figure out the issue I'm having locating the passenger's side A/C Condenser mount bracket that seems to be a mystery part, I will have all the parts I need to put it back together.

    Edit: Perhaps if during the water flush I see some debris, I might go that extra eight yards and do a proper flush.
     

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