2009 Vibe GT coolant loss; radiator?

[Chris142]

You should bolt that loose ground strap back on.

 

[Jonas]

You should bolt that loose ground strap back on.

The one sticking out in the picture? It goes to the alternator.

 

[researcher]

@Jonas how many miles on this radiator? I assume it's the original/factory radiator?

 

[Jonas]

@Jonas how many miles on this radiator? I assume it's the original/factory radiator?

About 260K. It's the original as far as I know.

 

[researcher]

About 260K. It's the original as far as I know.

wow, that's a good run on the original! Are you going to get an aftermarket to replace this one? or go with another Toyota? I know the Toyota's are much more $$$

 

[meep]

That radiator doesn’t owe you anything. How much patience do you have? There is an art to plastic repair and the only way to learn is try/fail/try/fail. If that doesn’t sound fun, a new radiator is needed.

Before you do that, the 20 second “dry start” is a good idea. I’d want to know if there was knocking before I invested in a 260$ replacement. Hopefully the knocking is a bad water pump.

Ps. Vibes are awesome cars. Kudos for taking care of one.

 

[Jonas]

wow, that's a good run on the original! Are you going to get an aftermarket to replace this one? or go with another Toyota? I know the Toyota's are much more $$$

I went with after market. DNA Motoring.

 

[Jonas]

That radiator doesn’t owe you anything. How much patience do you have? There is an art to plastic repair and the only way to learn is try/fail/try/fail. If that doesn’t sound fun, a new radiator is needed.

Before you do that, the 20 second “dry start” is a good idea. I’d want to know if there was knocking before I invested in a 260$ replacement. Hopefully the knocking is a bad water pump.

Ps. Vibes are awesome cars. Kudos for taking care of one.

I got a new radiator. It's coming tomorrow. I also did the dry start after I put everything back together and didn't hear any strange noises, so we'll see.

 

[Jonas]

*Update*
I finally got the new radiator installed. I also replaced the water pump because there was white crust in the weep hole of the old one. No detectable leaks so far.
I'm so glad to have replaced the radiator because the old one was dirty, rusty, and the coolant that came out was dark and grimy. (petcock was stuck, so I never could drain it properly)
Here's the real trip: My engine runs 9 DEGREES COOLER. The thermostat is designed to open at 195 degrees, and as soon as the coolant temp reaches 195, it starts going down again. It used to top out at 204 degrees. I imagine the dirty coolant and heat contributed to my water pump's early demise.
As it turns out, the chirping/rattling noise was nothing more than the manifold heat shield being on loose and/or crooked. That explains why it only occurred as the engine warmed up and at low RPM (my engine vibrates a bit below 1000 RPM.)
But, the seemingly impulsive, unnecessary repairs turned out to be necessary, so I guess I got lucky.
Thanks again for all the advice.
Jonas