Leak in Radiator

[regularnothing]

I walked out to my car this morning and saw a big puddle of green stuff on the driver side. I think it is the radiator leaking so I looked inside the radiator fluid reservoir and it looked like the same stuff on the floor but I wanted to have other opinions before I replaced it.

Also where can I buy a new radiator if that is what I need to do.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Best replacement radiator for the money today...

What's radiator is working best today at a reasonable price that is a direct replacement bolt in? I personally have had zero issue with OEM (T/Rad) Read post if you'd like to save time, jump to...

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[Octous]

You should not be able to see the radiator fluid when looking top down on the radiator. Looks like the top plastic part to fin section seal has failed.

Also, the coolant should be red assuming that Toyota Long Life coolant was used.

 

[regularnothing]

You should not be able to see the radiator fluid when looking top down on the radiator. Looks like the top plastic part to fin section seal has failed.

Also, the coolant should be red assuming that Toyota Long Life coolant was used.

Yea i thought it was weird that I could see the fluid from the top. So do you think a new radiator would completely fix my problem?

And for the fluid, I recently bought the car so I’m not sure if Toyota long life coolant was used.

 

[Octous]

Unclear if radiator replacement will completely resolve problem. It will solve the radiator leak though!

 

[regularnothing]

Unclear if radiator replacement will completely resolve problem. It will solve the radiator leak though!

I guess I’ll find out when I get a replacement.

 

[baltistyle]

Key takeaway, use Toyota, or Toyota specific RED coolant at the proper mix. Get all of the old coolant out.

 

[Rhetoric]

Based on the rust I can see there, you may be in for some other fluid leaks as your time of ownership progresses.

Folks here will help you get on the right path.

 

[ranma21]

Looks like the top plastic part of your radiator cracked. Time for new radiator.

 

[regularnothing]

Based on the rust I can see there, you may be in for some other fluid leaks as your time of ownership progresses.

Folks here will help you get on the right path.

Looks like the top plastic part of your radiator cracked. Time for new radiator.

I looked inside the actual radiator earlier and it looks full but my overflow resovior was basically empty. Could this still be the radiator? Tomorrow I’m going to take of the plate under the front to try and pinpoint the leak.

 

[Rhetoric]

I looked inside the actual radiator earlier and it looks full but my overflow resovior was basically empty. Could this still be the radiator? Tomorrow I’m going to take of the plate under the front to try and pinpoint the leak.

I am 99% certain it's your radiator. The aftermarket Koyo I put in my truck split at the top like yours and coolant ran down to where yours is dripping from.

I would be giving that entire cooling system a once over, considering there is green coolant in there. Especially your heater Tees up by the firewall.

Get that green garbage out of there and back on the Toyota coolant appropriate for your year truck.

 

[regularnothing]

I am 99% certain it's your radiator. The aftermarket Koyo I put in my truck split at the top like yours and coolant ran down to where yours is dripping from.

I would be giving that entire cooling system a once over, considering there is green coolant in there. Especially your heater Tees up by the firewall.

Get that green garbage out of there and back on the Toyota coolant appropriate for your year truck.

Ok thank you. Im going to order replacement radiator and heater ts soon I just thought it was weird that the radiator was still full even though there is a leak.

 

[Rhetoric]

Ok thank you. Im going to order replacement radiator and heater ts soon I just thought it was weird that the radiator was still full even though there is a leak.

Well, as you noted, your expansion tank was nearly empty. Once that's empty the level in the radiator will continue to drop.

Overheating is one of the leading causes of the 2UZ being destroyed.

This has been a Public Service Announcement from a concerned Mud Member.

 

[MongooseGA]

You should not be able to see the radiator fluid when looking top down on the radiator. Looks like the top plastic part to fin section seal has failed.

Also, the coolant should be red assuming that Toyota Long Life coolant was used.

Maybe I'm misunderstanding what you're saying here. Looking at the radiator, top down, with the cap removed, you should absolutely be able to see the fluid inside up to the weep hole that leads to the overflow tank. If not, your radiator is low on fluid.

Toyota red (or pink, I think it varied by year) is ideal. In lieu of that, Zerex makes a red coolant that is also very good and specifically for Japanese vehicles. I have Zerex in both of my old Mercedes in lieu of MB coolant.