Coolant leak, radiator replacement - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

James Russels · 09-04-2019, 09:01 PM

So my car has been leaking coolant and I'm 95% sure it's coming from the radiator. Assuming that's the case, I'm trying to figure out if I should just get another OEM radiator ($330) or an aftermarket one.

I have a JDL turbo kit and even with the leak, my coolant is ~198 degrees at operating temp, so I'm not too worried about needing more cooling, and thus I'm inclined to replace it with an OEM radiator. I have seen some cheaper aftermarket options which I'd be hesitant to buy, but would consider if others have good enough things to say about them.

I'd also like to switch out the fan shroud regardless to make more space, as the OEM shroud is extremely close to the turbo. I was thinking of the JDL fan shroud. Opinions on this would be appreciated as well.

Thanks!

86TOYO2k17 · 09-04-2019, 09:23 PM

Im using mishimoto radiator and fanshroud, no complaints or issues. Never seen temps hit 200F hooning around with a sprintex SC and forester oil cooler which generally raises coolant temps when oil temps get higher. Even 230F oil, coolant is still steady at 195F.

Mishimoto is advertised at 46% more cooling capacity and is 290$ , so cheaper than a new OEM radiator.

But if you want OEM PM me an offer i got one pulled off my 2017 at 2k miles ill sell you.

DarkPira7e · 09-04-2019, 09:32 PM

If your OEM radiator is doing well enough, I don't see a big rush to upgrade. Why not get the radiator pressure tested to be sure that's where the leak is?

On the other hand, upgrading is nice sometimes... I'd stay OEM as long as possible though

new2subaru · 09-04-2019, 10:05 PM

If you posted a wanted ad on here you might get one cheap. There’s no real reason to not go OEM

humfrz · 09-05-2019, 02:17 AM

Bubba says to put a can of "stop leak" in it. -

humfrz

Amputechture · 09-05-2019, 01:05 PM

I'd stay OEM. I have the JDL shroud, and have plenty of clearance. With a pair of 909 cfm SPALs, OEM rad, and OEM water/oil cooler and roughly 70 water/30 coolant mix my coolant is always right around 190 and sometimes hovers close to 200 for brief periods. Oil usually around 215 with spikes to 230ish, Florida street driving.

jflogerzi · 09-08-2019, 04:41 AM

Where you located?

Sent from my GM1915 using Tapatalk

09-04-2019, 09:01 PM	#1
James Russels Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Drives: 2013 FRS Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 59 Thanks: 5 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Coolant leak, radiator replacement So my car has been leaking coolant and I'm 95% sure it's coming from the radiator. Assuming that's the case, I'm trying to figure out if I should just get another OEM radiator ($330) or an aftermarket one. I have a JDL turbo kit and even with the leak, my coolant is ~198 degrees at operating temp, so I'm not too worried about needing more cooling, and thus I'm inclined to replace it with an OEM radiator. I have seen some cheaper aftermarket options which I'd be hesitant to buy, but would consider if others have good enough things to say about them. I'd also like to switch out the fan shroud regardless to make more space, as the OEM shroud is extremely close to the turbo. I was thinking of the JDL fan shroud. Opinions on this would be appreciated as well. Thanks!

09-04-2019, 09:23 PM	#2
86TOYO2k17 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Drives: 2017 toyota 86 Location: PNW Posts: 2,131 Thanks: 336 Thanked 1,189 Times in 781 Posts Mentioned: 16 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Im using mishimoto radiator and fanshroud, no complaints or issues. Never seen temps hit 200F hooning around with a sprintex SC and forester oil cooler which generally raises coolant temps when oil temps get higher. Even 230F oil, coolant is still steady at 195F. Mishimoto is advertised at 46% more cooling capacity and is 290$ , so cheaper than a new OEM radiator. But if you want OEM PM me an offer i got one pulled off my 2017 at 2k miles ill sell you. Last edited by 86TOYO2k17; 09-04-2019 at 10:13 PM.

09-05-2019, 01:05 PM	#6
Amputechture Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Drives: 2014 BRZ Location: FL Posts: 424 Thanks: 49 Thanked 143 Times in 111 Posts Mentioned: 3 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I'd stay OEM. I have the JDL shroud, and have plenty of clearance. With a pair of 909 cfm SPALs, OEM rad, and OEM water/oil cooler and roughly 70 water/30 coolant mix my coolant is always right around 190 and sometimes hovers close to 200 for brief periods. Oil usually around 215 with spikes to 230ish, Florida street driving. __________________ JDL Auto Design///Turboback///Enkei///*Tial///RSR///HRI* Tuned

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09-04-2019, 09:32 PM	#3
DarkPira7e Rust bucket enthusiast Join Date: Feb 2017 Drives: 2013 Turbo Firestorm FRS Location: Vermont Posts: 4,052 Thanks: 3,307 Thanked 4,202 Times in 2,111 Posts Mentioned: 33 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	If your OEM radiator is doing well enough, I don't see a big rush to upgrade. Why not get the radiator pressure tested to be sure that's where the leak is? On the other hand, upgrading is nice sometimes... I'd stay OEM as long as possible though

09-04-2019, 10:05 PM	#4
new2subaru Weight Weenie Join Date: Aug 2015 Drives: 15 FR-S Location: Canada Posts: 2,660 Thanks: 5,234 Thanked 2,434 Times in 1,397 Posts Mentioned: 12 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	If you posted a wanted ad on here you might get one cheap. There’s no real reason to not go OEM

09-05-2019, 02:17 AM	#5
humfrz Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Drives: 2013 FR-S, white, MT Location: Puyallup, WA Posts: 30,432 Thanks: 29,826 Thanked 32,845 Times in 16,844 Posts Mentioned: 715 Post(s) Tagged: 2 Thread(s)	Bubba says to put a can of "stop leak" in it. - humfrz

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