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preventative maintenance - replace radiator + condenser?

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by TacoTuesday1, Aug 6, 2022.

  1. Aug 6, 2022 at 12:06 AM
    #1
    TacoTuesday1

    TacoTuesday1 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Condenser is in front of the radiator
    A/C may not be as cold anymore despite a recharge. I'll try again with 1hr vacuum

    Is it worth replacing rad + condenser?
    I tried cleaning the condenser with spray (A/C coil cleaner) and water, careful not to bend any more fins than are already bent from bugs

    and it still looks covered in dirt. Like a fur coat. I'm sure that insulation doesn't help cooling performance.
    How long do the radiators last? Earliest I've seen one fail is 140k on a Toyota Highlander; crack at plastic end tank/leak.

    Are they worth replacing as preventative maintenance, and to address dirt causing inefficiency?
    The parts I'm looking at on RockAuto are:
    -radiator, CSF 3200
    -condenser, CSF 10449
    -A/C seal/o-ring kit, UAC RS2583
    -already have UAC PAG46 syn oil

    Pros I can think of:
    -replace radiator before it leaks at an inconvenient time/unexpectedly
    -improve A/C cooling
    -relieve stress on compressor so it lasts longer; if condenser works poorly, it adds stress to compressor

    Cons:
    -heard mixed reviews of CSF, and they seem more of a radiator maker than a condenser maker. Not sure who OEM is for condensers and if it's Denso or not (also listed on RockAuto)
    -costs more than just doing nothing about it ($0), and still does not upgrade to a full metal radiator; though I hear those are only needed for superchargers to justify the $400-500
    -risky, installing aftermarket part = may have issue

    If waiting for it to fail ("if ain't broke, don't fix it") I wonder how long they last. 200k? 300k?

    TL;DR my condenser looks pretty beat from age + miles and I bet yours does too, if you pop the hood and look behind the grill

    [​IMG]
     
  2. Aug 6, 2022 at 12:25 AM
    #2
    Superdave1.0

    Superdave1.0 Grandma Dave

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    Getting the correct amount of freon into the AC system is important. Could be low there causing issues with AC performance.

    Wouldn't hurt to replace the ac condenser. Aftermarket are usually fine. Most insurance companies only cover for an aftermarket unit after a collision. Lots of vehicles out there with A/M ac condenser.

    For the radiator I'd only stick with Koyo or Denso. Nothing else for a Toyota.
     
    Rob MacRuger likes this.
  3. Aug 6, 2022 at 12:30 AM
    #3
    TacoTuesday1

    TacoTuesday1 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    r134a level is correct
    figured CSF may be worth considering due to the 50 page thread here on their all metal rad upgrade, but it has mixed reviews and seems like people prefer aFe for that
     
  4. Aug 6, 2022 at 12:36 AM
    #4
    Superdave1.0

    Superdave1.0 Grandma Dave

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    On Rockauto.com a Denso radiator is $129 plus shipping. Koyorad is $145. I wouldn't gamble on a radiator.

    For the AC condenser go with any aftermarket you want, it's not as critical as the radiator.
     
    Rob MacRuger likes this.

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