White crust on muffler (1 Viewer)

[Evguitarz]

Hi all, I just traded my Tacoma for a 2019 GX 460 with 28k miles but no service history. I'm loving the ride so far (as do the wife and kid) but found this white crust on the underside of the muffler that has me worried.

I paid a "CarMax Primium" for it and can return it before December 8th if this indicates a bigger issue, but this car is the year/color/milage I was looking for so I'd rather not.

I've got an appointment on Friday to get the cooing system pressure tested as I'm sacred that the crust might be coolant in the exhaust. Anything else it could be?

Thanks in advance.

 

[r2m]

Hi all, I just traded my Tacoma for a 2019 GX 460 with 28k miles but no service history. I'm loving the ride so far (as do the wife and kid) but found this white crust on the underside of the muffler that has me worried.

View attachment 3481068

I paid a "CarMax Primium" for it and can return it before December 8th if this indicates a bigger issue, but this car is the year/color/milage I was looking for so I'd rather not.

I've got an appointment on Friday to get the cooing system pressure tested as I'm sacred that the crust might be coolant in the exhaust. Anything else it could be?

Thanks in advance.

First, congrats on your new (to you) GX! I hope it works out and you keep it.

Second, try to find a garage/shop with a 4.5 - 5 star yelp rating with LOTS of reviews and see if they'll do an overall review of the vehicle. We have a shop we've used for all our service for the past 30 plus years and any used vehicles we have ever purchased, we go to him for a once over for less than $100.00. They'll check everything from lights, fluids, belts, compression pressure, brakes, etc. In the end they'll give a report of the good, bad and ugly. Hopefully no bad or ugly... They should also be able to tell you about that crust better than us looking at a photo.

Third, have you picked at it with a hard object, like a nail or knife or something? If so, is it eating away at the metal under the crust?
Just looking at crust doesn't tell anything unless it's rust, which from your photo doesn't look like. You have to scrape some of it away and see whats underneath.

Anyways, hope it all works out for you!

 

[Evguitarz]

Thanks - I'm stoked on the GX and really want it to work out.

The crust can be removed with a fingernail, and the metal under it is not rotted through. There is some rust right at the seam.

The coolant is just above L when hot, so at least a few oz low. I'm pretty sure I found in the owners manual that 2-3oz per year is considered normal loss for a GX, but it still concerns me. It seems like many on this forum are saying no loss is acceptable.

Until the Taco that came before this truck (which went to the dealership), I've done all of my own maintenance and repairs, but those were much older and cheaper cars, so I don't have a relationship with any local shops. I went to nearest place to my house for an alignment after I installed the lift on my Taco and wasn't super impressed... The tires wore well but the steering wheel was a little off center. It might be time to try out some other places.

 

[iwashmycar]

Might be worth checking plugs. Any residue under the rad cap ect?

I dont really think its very normal to use any coolant.

Also check everywhere else for any place it could be or have been leaking.... Not sure it normal coolant would really crust up like that, but coolant with some sort of stop-leak additive very well may.

 

[r2m]

Thanks - I'm stoked on the GX and really want it to work out.

The crust can be removed with a fingernail, and the metal under it is not rotted through. There is some rust right at the seam.

The coolant is just above L when hot, so at least a few oz low. I'm pretty sure I found in the owners manual that 2-3oz per year is considered normal loss for a GX, but it still concerns me. It seems like many on this forum are saying no loss is acceptable.

Until the Taco that came before this truck (which went to the dealership), I've done all of my own maintenance and repairs, but those were much older and cheaper cars, so I don't have a relationship with any local shops. I went to nearest place to my house for an alignment after I installed the lift on my Taco and wasn't super impressed... The tires wore well but the steering wheel was a little off center. It might be time to try out some other places.

As mentioned above, even for alignments, make sure there is a high Yelp (or whatever rating app) rating and plenty of reviews.
Using Yelp saved our butts a few times on anything from doctors to mechanics.

 

[aztoytec]

Probably just water condensation buildup. If it was coolant it would be pinkish. Also you would probably smell it. When coolant burns it had a distinct sweet smell.

 

[Rednexus]

A sure-fire way to determine if it is engine related would be to have a Blackstone test on a oil sample, which would let you know if the engine is burning coolant. I'd do this ASAP on a oil sample if you have until 12/8.

 

[Roody]

A sure-fire way to determine if it is engine related would be to have a Blackstone test on a oil sample, which would let you know if the engine is burning coolant. I'd do this ASAP on a oil sample if you have until 12/8.

100% this (he says with the Blackstone test kit sitting on his work bench)

 

[Evguitarz]

100% this (he says with the Blackstone test kit sitting on his work bench)

I just ordered a kit. Hope it gets here in time - or at least in time to get any problems it turns up covered.

 

[Rednexus]

100% this (he says with the Blackstone test kit sitting on his work bench)

Lol, I've literally had one on my bench of 1-2 years and have not used it yet.

 

[Roody]

Lol, I've literally had one on my bench of 1-2 years and have not used it yet.

To be honest I think I got it for a vehicle I owned like 2-3 vehicles ago... but that's beside the point, I'll shut my mouth and avoid any further shame so we can stay on topic for @Evguitarz

 

[BigSwede]

I think the seals on your muffler bearings are leaking...

 

[Kid]

Yeah , that's really low miles , I just purchased a 2018 Gray with 72K miles for $30K. Private sale , no tax
Wanted black , got tired of waiting and gray is really close

 

[WTITW]

Have you noticed any erratic behavior? Does it seem withdrawn or has its garaging patterns changed? You know… maybe staying out later and then being hard to start in the morning?

I hate to be the one to tell you this but it looks like your GX has probably been experimenting with a little coke.

It’s okay, it doesn’t mean it’s a bad GX. Sit it down and explain the dangers of putting foreign substances in its intake system. She’ll likely deny it at first but if you approach it with love, I bet she’ll straighten out and drive right.

Good luck. We’re all pulling for you.

 

[r2m]

I think the seals on your muffler bearings are leaking...

You know, a lot of people don realize that those seals do go bad!
Also changing the air in your tires! The moisture in the air that you inflate your tires with WILL rust out your rims. You need to change out the air regularly! At least a few times a year or you risk ruining your wheels!
The best method is to deflate ALL your tires to zero PSI. Inflate once, deflate once then inflate to 15 PSI, drive around the block or about 1 mile, then deflate to zero PSI and finally inflate to recommended pressure.
Done!
Easy peasy!!

 

[Hehena]

It's mineralized water condensation.