Hairline crack in radiator and weird noise?

[shifted]

Hey everyone,

Went around a corner today (nothing too silly) and after I noticed the car was making a funny noise whenever I applied the gas, can't really describe it, similar to a brake squeak but nothing to do with the brakes if you get my drift.

I have taken a video, but I took it later this morning as my phone was screwed, so honestly, not sure if it is making the sound anymore, I also took a picture of the hairline crack in the radiator near the cap.

What I am wondering is, can anyone hear anything wrong, and is the car still driveable (being serious here, I don't want to run the risk of driving it and something fucking up and having to spend more $$$ in repairs) and what is the best course of action?

Do I fix the radiator (and if so, who is the best to deal with in this case) or do I fit a new one? What is roughly the cost of either if someone has gone through something similar before?

I know this is probably a muppet question, but I don't know much about cars and am here to learn as much as possible, and as I am quite attached to the car I am worried I have done something. Any advice/help would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
Paul

Video:
http://s86.photobucket.com/albums/k97/shift3d/?action=view&current=23122009005.flv

Image:
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k97/shift3d/23122009026.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k97/shift3d/23122009027.jpg

[Steppo_GT]

From what I can gather, water has got onto the serpentine belt and maybe its that, that is squealing?

Does it sound like its coming from the belt?
When was the last time it was replaced?
What sort of condition does the belt appear to be in?

[shifted]

Are you talking about the timing belt? Sorry mate, I don't know much so will try answer as best as I can.

As far as I know, Dan (IMACUL8) put a new timing belt on when the car arrived in March.

Is this water thing a problem? In the video, it doesn't sound as bad as it was when I parked the car up, before, giving it a bit of stick would make a squeak sound so I just sat there and thought, fuck, I did something, now it doesn't sound like it is making it as much, so is that cos some water dried up already? I don't know where the water would have come from either to be honest.

[Lump]

^he means the fan/serpentine belt, not the timing belt.

squealing could mean it just needs a bit more tension/tightening.

is the radiator actually leaking?

what car/engine?

[Alt_F4]

Please check and top up coolant!
I've got a feeling a decent amount has pissed out thru the crack (yes it does that under heat & pressure)

If have a bit of dosh and aren't mechanically inclined in the slightest, take it to natrad and replace it with a nice koyo radiator.

If you don't like parting with your hard earned $$$ and have someone that can help, look at a decent copy aluminium radiator, like the just jap cooling pro ones that come in at around half the price of a koyo.

Alternatively on the real cheap, you may be able to re-seal the radiator (weld metal/plastic), but its probably only going to be a bandaid solution.

[shifted]

^he means the fan/serpentine belt, not the timing belt.

squealing could mean it just needs a bit more tension/tightening.

is the radiator actually leaking?

what car/engine?

Oh ok, it didn't sound like it came from the fan, more so near where the throttle thing is.

It has not squealed before.

Radiator is just leaking a little bit from that crack, more so just bubbles here and there not like a full on leak.

The car is my Supra - Twin Turbo RZ - 2JZGTE?

[shifted]

Please check and top up coolant!
I've got a feeling a decent amount has pissed out thru the crack (yes it does that under heat & pressure)

If have a bit of dosh and aren't mechanically inclined in the slightest, take it to natrad and replace it with a nice koyo radiator.

If you don't like parting with your hard earned $$$ and have someone that can help, look at a decent copy aluminium radiator, like the just jap cooling pro ones that come in at around half the price of a koyo.

Alternatively on the real cheap, you may be able to re-seal the radiator (weld metal/plastic), but its probably only going to be a bandaid solution.

I would rather buy something good that will last than something cheap that will cake it later.

So Natrad is the place? I can find it in YellowPages? And Koyo you think is a good radiator to suit the Supra?

Cheers,
Paul

Edit: Just checked coolant, seems low as. Kinda redish in colour. Is there a specific type/brand that is recommended for a high performance engine?

[Lump]

yeah looks like its been leaking a little, definately time for a new one.

[Alt_F4]

I would rather buy something good that will last than something cheap that will cake it later.

So Natrad is the place? I can find it in YellowPages? And Koyo you think is a good radiator to suit the Supra?

Cheers,
Paul

Edit: Just checked coolant, seems low as. Kinda redish in colour. Is there a specific type/brand that is recommended for a high performance engine?
Yeah Natrad is in the yellowpages, might pay for you to do some research on the supra forums see what they like, but a lot of skyline guys pushing decent power run koyos, but then again many of them are happy with the performance of running the cheapy I quoted.

Red coolant is Toyota brand coolant, stick with that, it's great stuff.


Radiator is just leaking a little bit from that crack, more so just bubbles here and there not like a full on leak.
It will piss out when hot and pressurized (ie when running), its happened to me before in the GTR from a pinhole leak on the rad hose

[shifted]

Yeah Natrad is in the yellowpages, might pay for you to do some research on the supra forums see what they like, but a lot of skyline guys pushing decent power run koyos, but then again many of them are happy with the performance of running the cheapy I quoted.

Red coolant is Toyota brand coolant, stick with that, it's great stuff.


It will piss out when hot and pressurized (ie when running), its happened to me before in the GTR from a pinhole leak on the rad hose

Yeah I checked there too, they reckon PWR or Koyo. Natrad is in Osborne Park right near me so going to have to go there on my way home today I think.

That Toyota coolant is available from SupaCheap Auto yeah?

Cheers man.

[Alt_F4]

Toyota coolant you can pick up from a toyota parts department at most dealers, not sure if supercheap carrys it.

Are you driving the supra around, or do you have a daily?
Just make sure you frequently top the radiator if your driving it around, with water - preferably distilled water.

Implications of letting the radiator dry out and get hot is a warped head, among other things... just in case no one has warned you.

[shifted]

Toyota coolant you can pick up from a toyota parts department at most dealers, not sure if supercheap carrys it.

Are you driving the supra around, or do you have a daily?
Just make sure you frequently top the radiator if your driving it around, with water - preferably distilled water.

Implications of letting the radiator dry out and get hot is a warped head, among other things... just in case no one has warned you.

No spare car at home at the moment, so it is my daily at least until next week. :(

Going to have to go to Toyota on my way home then, will have to take it really easy too driving it down to a dealer. In that case as well, I can continue topping it up with just the fluid yeah? Will need to travel roughly 35km's this arvo in traffic to Natrad. Going to call them now. I will fill it up to the top (max level) with the fluid, hoping it works. :(

Yeah I know I can really screw up the head that is why I want it sorted out ASAP. :)

Edit: Rang SupaCheap because they are closer, they reckon Universal Coolant and it will work fine, but I am going to go to Toyota instead anyway. About 10kms from me...

[Alt_F4]

Did you call natrad first to make sure they have one in stock to suit the supra?

Yeah topping up is fine, just don't burn yourself with steam if your topping up after driving :p

If water temp starts to get warm while driving, a good trick is to put the air-con heater on full heat to help get the heat out of the system :)

[Lump]

^he means just the heater - using A/C is a bad idea

[Alt_F4]

Oops, that was a bit unclear :p

[shifted]

Yeah I know about the heater trick ;)

Called Natrad, they reckon a Koyo top piece will be around $240. I spoke to Dan though and he reckons not to bother and just buy a whole replacement (as the radiator is 15 years old) and get a nice PWR or something.

Anyone know where the best deal/place is to get a nice PWR radiator fitted?

Cheers guys for all the help too hey, I appreciate it.

[Alt_F4]

You got a manual? Get this, good price, brand new.
http://www.supraforums.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=51853&highlight=koyo+radiator

[shifted]

Yeah it is a 6 Speed Manual.

That one I think has already been sold (posted in April this year). But if you think it could do the job I will call NatRad and see. They wanted $1000 to $1200 for a PWR Radiator so it doesn't seem worth it to go to that extent.

[Lump]

if you suddenly find your loosing a fair bit of water, you can run the cooling system unpressurised by only putting the radiator cap on 'halfway'- enough so it stays on but not fully twisted down.
this will reduce the amount of coolant that pisses out.

[shifted]

Hey everyone, thought I would all let ya know:

I have the car booked in at NatRad in Osborne Park for 07:30am on the 4th of January to have a KOYO Aluminium Radiator fitted (suiting a JZA80 Manual Supra) for all up $750.

Dan has been nothing short of helpful in all this as well so I appreciate his help too.

Thanks for all the comments and posts from everyone as well, I appreciate the help.

Until the 4th, this car will still be my daily as I have no spare so I will not have a choice but to keep checking fluid and using a Loctite Radiator glue on the crack for the time being. Going to buy a couple bottles of Coolant from SupaCheap now, and some bottles of distilled water.

Should I be mixing the Coolant and water at 50%/50% into the container? Once the new one will be fitted I will make sure the Genuine Toyota Coolant is used.

Cheers,
Paul

[TJ]

Your going to keep driving a car that is leaking coolant?

Lucky its a bunky 400 dollar shitbox, not a high performance car worth 20 odd thousand dollars.

Oh, wait.

[RGVFAST]

i would get out the treadly and ride were ever you need to go

If that top tube lets go and your not watching the temp gauge closely, it'll end up costing you thousands

[2JZA70]

With this hot weather recently I wouldnt take any chances. you may get away with the loctite stuff but keep an eye on it!! you sure no one in perth has a spare raditor you can buy maybe even borrow??

[shifted]

Your going to keep driving a car that is leaking coolant?

Lucky its a bunky 400 dollar shitbox, not a high performance car worth 20 odd thousand dollars.

Oh, wait.

Nah I am not driving it, I am driving it home from work today and parking her up until the 4th. Not going to take any chances. I will organise other modes of transport in the mean time. I did just fill her up to the brim with coolant, no temperature problems have been had at all since vehicle ownership and have been monitoring that too.


i would get out the treadly and ride were ever you need to go

If that top tube lets go and your not watching the temp gauge closely, it'll end up costing you thousands

Yeah I won't be risking it, the possible consequences of driving it in this condition just prove it would be stupid to do so.


With this hot weather recently I wouldnt take any chances. you may get away with the loctite stuff but keep an eye on it!! you sure no one in perth has a spare raditor you can buy maybe even borrow??

Haven't put the Loctite stuff on there, but have been warned not to use it incase it gets inside somehow so not going to bother. Taking her home and parking her up. No one I know has a spare radiator. All I need actually is just the top piece, the rest is fine. Replacement Koyo Aluminium Radiator being fitted on the 4th of January.

[shifted]

New video, this time I am sure I caught the noise. It is a bit windy though. Probably best heard near the end of the video.

Could it be the Power Steering?

Linkage to external:
http://s86.photobucket.com/albums/k97/shift3d/?action=view&current=23122009006.flv

I might have to try and catch it again. :(

[RICEY]

Bit hard to hear though it isnt belt squeal, could be a pulley bearing or the water pump farked

[shifted]

Bit hard to hear though it isnt belt squeal, could be a pulley bearing or the water pump farked

Yeah Dan was recommending to get the water pump done at the same time as the Radiator just in case, might give that a crack. May as well while it will be slightly apart anyway. :)

Edit: In regard to the water pump, any recommendations on what to get? Genuine Toyota or something else? Best places? Cheers.

[matty12]

Im pretty sure that to do a water pump you need to take the timing belt off to do it,Dan knows that??I didnt realise that had someone down there with that sort of experiance.

Price a genuine one thats the way i would go.

[shifted]

Im pretty sure that to do a water pump you need to take the timing belt off to do it,Dan knows that??I didnt realise that had someone down there with that sort of experiance.

Price a genuine one thats the way i would go.

I don't know to be honest, I would assume as Dan said to change it that you would not need to? Who would be best to change the Water Pump?

Hyperdrive or WTF Auto?

I have had recommendations to see Tristan at WTF Auto because he deals in Supras.

Genuine one is what I thought initially, going to call up a few places today once 9am hits. :D

[Lump]

yes timing belt needs to come off to do the water pump

[shifted]

yes timing belt needs to come off to do the water pump

Yeah just read somewhere else that it needs to. We will have to see what happens once the new Radiator is in.