Hi guys, Managed to replace the radiator and top up the fluid. Result: No problem driving out of Ngorongoro Crater (in fact it was pretty simple) and the radiator is much more efficient at cooling. Used gears up and nice low-range engine braking down. It was funny as I asked a few of the tour ...

Thanks Kalvin.

It is interesting that 1.5 litres makes such a noticeable improvement in gear change speed.

Maybe the cracks in the radiator meant the fluid was not circulating the cooling system properly resulting in overheating.

Cheers,
Mike

Hi guys, Yesterday I pulled out the old radiator (which may have been the original) and replaced with a new genuine Toyota one. We found two cracks the old one on the bottom water pipe to the engine and one crack on one of the auto transmission fluid connectors. We also checked the transmission ...

Hi tweake,
Is there a way to identify which model radiator has the issue and which doesn't?

It looks like we will replace the radiator here with the OEM Toyota one so it would be good to see if we can spot the issue before paying ~$1100 for it.

Cheers,
Mike

Thanks Calvin. This information is really helpful. I didn't realise that the radiator is both heating and cooling the transmission fluid but it makes sense when you think how the thermostat on the engine works to pass coolant to the radiator only after the engine reaches a determined heat. I wonder ...

Hi.

One more symptom that I missed:

A few times lately the gearbox has been late changing into overdrive at speed (80km/h plus). Maybe this is a symptom of low oil or maybe the whole gearbox is crapping up?

Cheers
Mike

Thank you all very much for your help and comments. Now I will ask for your opinions. FACTS: 1. The automatic transmission overheat light has only come on once up a very steep hill with the auto in DRIVE (D). 2. I took the car to a pretty dodgy mechanic who thinks I may be about 1 litre down in ...

Hi tweake, When we did the new cylinder head we also flushed the radiator. We have also had to lock the viscous fan which is not ideal but it is better than trying to find a new one in Africa (if you go to Toyota to get a real one you are looking at at least double Aus/NZ prices). We are also using ...

Hi guys, Thanks for the responses but the information you have given me is conflicting regarding the lockup. The gearbox from what I have seen on Wikipedia is an A343F. The real problem is that I don't have time to fit an oil cooler yet I am supposed to do this drive in about a fortnight. I can ...

Hi guys, I am currently living in Africa and have a 1994 KZJ78 Landcruiser Prado with a 1KZ-TE engine and an Automatic Transmission. I recently went up a nice steep hill (tarmac) and by the time I had reached the top I noticed that the A/T Oil Temperature light had come on. My hypothesis is that the ...