Toyota Tacoma Radiator Replacement in Kirkland, WA: Cracked End Tank at 9 PSI, Then a Water Pump Leak

This 2000 Toyota Tacoma came into our Kirkland shop at 200,334 miles, low on coolant with an active leak. The radiator was the obvious problem, and the pressure test proved it. But the job didn’t end when the new radiator went in: a vacuum test afterward turned up a second leak at the water pump.

What we found: the radiator

The top edge of the radiator was wet. We pressure tested the cooling system to 13 PSI. At about 9 PSI, the radiator started leaking from a crack in the upper end tank. A closer look found multiple cracks forming in that tank, with one leaking heavily.

A still from the technician’s pressure-test video. With the tester on the radiator neck, coolant sprays from a crack in the upper end tank.

Green coolant residue along the radiator tank seam, from the inspection.

We drained the system, removed the upper and lower radiator hoses, fan shroud and radiator mounts, and installed a new genuine Toyota radiator.

The second leak

Before refilling, we pulled a vacuum on the cooling system. It wouldn’t hold. Continued inspection found coolant leaking from the water pump and seal area.

To reach it, we removed the fan and shroud, all three accessory belts, and the thermostat housing and thermostat. We cleaned built-up oil and grime off the front of the engine, removed the water pump, cleaned the mating surface, and installed a new Aisin water pump and gasket, plus a new Aisin thermostat and gasket.

The second vacuum test held with no leak down. We refilled with 50/50 long life coolant, brought the engine to operating temperature and road tested the truck. No further coolant leaks or cooling system issues.

The work performed

Radiator, water pump and thermostat: $1,400–$2,000. New genuine Toyota radiator, Aisin water pump and gasket, Aisin thermostat and gasket, and fresh coolant, with pressure and vacuum testing before and after. More on our radiator and cooling system repair.

What else the inspection found

Our multi-point inspection noted several more items. The owner held off on these for now:

• Valve cover gasket: $550–$700. The valve cover was leaking oil badly enough that oil was all over the engine. The quote covered a new genuine Toyota valve cover gasket and spark plug tube seals, plus cleaning the engine to check for any other leaks.

• Front struts and rear shocks with alignment: $1,150–$1,700. All four were leaking or had leaked. The quote covered KYB front strut assemblies, KYB rear shocks and a four-wheel alignment. Steering and suspension repair.

• Engine air filter: $50–$90. Very dirty.

Oil coating the engine below the valve cover. The inspection called it a large valve cover leak.

One of the rear shocks. The inspection found all struts and shocks leaking or having leaked.

The inspection also noted the brake warning light on, with the brake fluid level good and the parking brake off. That wasn’t diagnosed on this visit. Brakes measured 7mm on the front pads and 4mm on the rear drums, tires 15/32” front and 14/32” rear, and the battery tested good.

What it cost

The visit landed in the $1,400–$2,000 range, completed October 2026. That covers the radiator, water pump, thermostat, coolant and testing.

That range reflects a completed historical project, not a current quote.

Questions about this job

Why was the water pump replaced if the radiator was the leak?

Because the system still wouldn’t hold vacuum with the new radiator in. That test found a second leak at the water pump and seal area, which the radiator leak had been hiding.

Was the radiator aftermarket or OEM?

A genuine Toyota radiator. The water pump and thermostat are Aisin.

Was the brake warning light fixed?

Not on this visit. The inspection confirmed the brake fluid level was good and the parking brake was off, and the light wasn’t diagnosed further.

Do you work on older Toyota trucks?

Yes. More on our Toyota repair in Kirkland.

Prepared from our job records for this vehicle: the repair order and technician notes, the multi-point inspection with photos and the pressure-test video, the parts list and the final invoice.