Hi,I am in the middle of doing up a Space cruiser F reg and I have flushed the system to renew the coolant.But when I come to put the radiator cap on it is all perished.I take it to Toyota for a replacement but they said it was an aftermarket cap and not one of theirs.So I asked for a correct one and the guy looked at me with sorrowful eyes and with a tsk said there was a choice of 2.That there was no way of telling via a vin number and they weren't interchangeable.He could not tell me how to find out which one was right for mine,is there a way?
Please help because this is the final job mechanical/technical wise before going for MOT,the rest is cosmetics.
many thanks,Alan

- (#667) Alan, 13 Apr 05 04:28

Bloody helpful dealer you have there Alan. Unless someone like Clive can be more helpful, I would suggest that for a Spacie, a replacement aftermarket cap should do. I don't recall having a problem with cooling with my old Spacie and am pretty sure I had an aftermarket cap on mine. The cooling system being different than the Townie, I don't think it suffers from overheating the same. An aftermarket cap isn't a huge expense and will get you through the MOT. You could always investigate the correct Toyota cap later, maybe with a more helpful dealership perhaps. I don't see why there should be a problem, there were only two models in the UK - the 2Y (1800cc) engine up to 1986 and the 3Y (2000cc) thereafter.

HTH
Ian

- (#667) Ian Dunse (Derbs), 13 Apr 05 04:44

Hmm. Parts man is right, strangely enough. One's a Denso item and the other is a Toyo. But they *will* interchange, as the outlet elbows are identical for each...

As Ian says tho, a "Small Japanese" cap from your local factors should be OK for the spacie.

- (#667) David Miller, 13 Apr 05 05:00

I got an aftermarket one for my 3y engine, never had any problems with that. Off the shelf I think, so must have many other applications. Just take the old one in to compare.

- (#667) Clive (Bristol UK), 13 Apr 05 05:22

Hi,thanks for that.I was getting worried because I have been scanning Ebay for one for awhile and an increasing number were turning up with head gasket/head gone and other overheating problems so I was hoping to get all the right stuff.But if you fellas say it is okay for an aftermarket cap that's good enough for me.
best regards,Alan

- (#667) Alan, 13 Apr 05 06:07