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Toyota Tundra Cooling/Radiator Probs

8 messages,  Last post on Aug 08, 2008 at 11:17 PM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota, Toyota Tundra, Truck

Messages Page 2 of 2

#4 of 8 Radiator empty! by a8fan

Aug 03, 2008 (1:26 am)

Hi,
 
My 2000 Tundra V8 has been leaking for about a year. I had it into the dealer when it was still on warranty in 07 for a lot of repairs and I thought they fixed it.
 
Today I noticed it was hissing again and then the check light came on. The gauge was on HOTTEST. I am going to put coolant in and water on Monday and try to drive a few miles to the dealer.
 
It just got off warranty. I have not had to do many repairs, but is it time for a new truck? Is not garaging it the problem? It only has 75K on it.
 
Thanks any help appreciated.
 
 - A girl and her truck

#5 of 8 Re: Radiator empty! [a8fan] by obyone

Aug 08, 2008 (7:14 pm)

Replying to: a8fan (Aug 03, 2008 1:26 am)
If you're going to attempt to drive to the dealer...
 
Fill with 50/50 water and coolant and drive with the radiator cap OFF. That way the system won't be under pressure. I wouldn't recommend driving too far.
 
A leaking radiator is no reason to buy a new truck. However it is as good a reason as any to buy a new one.
 
Though I don't recommend it, I've seen some people add black pepper to the radiator to stop it from leaking.

#6 of 8 Re: Radiator empty! [obyone] by a8fan

Aug 08, 2008 (10:15 pm)

Replying to: obyone (Aug 08, 2008 7:14 pm)
Well, I could not get the cap off the coolant jug. So I called roadside assist and they said they won't do things like that either but that they would tow for free.
 
When the driver arrived, he did take the cap off, pour in 3/4 gal coolant and let me start it up to put it on the flatbed... the check light went out but you could see it was leaking.
 
At dealer: waterpump was broken but I drove out with a new 5.7 Tundra.

#7 of 8 Re: Radiator empty! [a8fan] by obyone

Aug 08, 2008 (11:00 pm)

Replying to: a8fan (Aug 08, 2008 10:15 pm)
Congrats on the new truck.

#8 of 8 Re: Radiator empty! [obyone] by a8fan

Aug 08, 2008 (11:17 pm)

Replying to: obyone (Aug 08, 2008 11:00 pm)
A girl and her truck! I love it except, I have to fold down the left mirror to get it in the doorway of the garage, and then it just barely fits in the middle bay which is deeper than the left or right bay. My garages are not small either.
 
Up to now, the A8 occupies that middle bay, but since I don't want tree junk causing mildew between the cap and cab like it did on the 2000, I am going to have to garage this monster. The cap is coming next week and it has a removable front window so I should be able to keep that area cleaner.
 
People wonder why I would want such a vehicle. Some say I am fulfilling some sort of fantasy here, however...who needs a man when I have this piece of equipment underneath me?
 
I was barely up to 100 miles on the odo today when I was caught in a tornado like storm. The rain was so fierce you could not see. But I was high and dry and safe in my big truck!
 
No man necessary.
 
PS - you might have heard we had that rare F2 that killed a woman here in NH a few weeks ago. the weather has been nuts.

Messages Page 2 of 2

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