Coolant flush? New radiator?

[T4R03]

Ok so here's my dilemma. I've had some small amount of coolant disappearing from my radiator. I would have to refill like half a quart every week or so. Recently noticed my coolant would disappear a bit faster as I used my heater, but I also feel that's because I introduced air into the system last time I disconnected some hoses to install a new pulley. So I purged air out of the system which I believe I got it all out. But today I decided to check it out again. I always keep my coolant reservoir empty and radiator topped off but I decided to check inside my reservoir some reason and there's like a watery substance in there that's a pinkish reddish color? Is that over flow or something? I doubt it's tranny fluid bc that is nice and red. I recently changed my oil like 1,000 miles ago and that's nice and yellow. Could it just be really old coolant? Don't remember the last time I flushed it but I know the process because I've done it before with other vehicles. Can someone help me? Should I just replace the whole radiator or a flush will help? No coolant leaks detected at all either from under the vehicle. The truck is T4R 2003 sport.

 

[woodman60]

there's like a watery substance in there that's a pinkish reddish color?

Coolant?

 

[T4R03]

That's what I hope it is lol. It's like really watered down? Like a mix between water and pink coolant? Kind of like a strawberry lemonade type of deal? I've been putting some of the green coolant in it so I guess that's the old stuff that was in there? Thursday I'm going to run down the street to Advanved Auto and get some 2 gallons of 50/50 mix. I hope Prestons is ok coolant for it.

 

[Seymore Butts]

If you're using the wrong coolant such as the green fluid, and it is turning pink, then it may be commingling with your transmission fluid, which is red.

That would also explain your on-going coolant loss as it escapes into your transmission.

I believe the '03 had a transmission dipstick. If so, check the condition, level, and color of your transmission fluid.

 

[AuSeeker]

That's what I hope it is lol. It's like really watered down? Like a mix between water and pink coolant? Kind of like a strawberry lemonade type of deal? I've been putting some of the green coolant in it so I guess that's the old stuff that was in there? Thursday I'm going to run down the street to Advanved Auto and get some 2 gallons of 50/50 mix. I hope Prestons is ok coolant for it.

You shouldn't be using green anti-freeze in these T4Rs EVER unless you want to have it corrode the coolant passages of your engine, all green anti-freeze have silicates in them and Toyota has found that silicates eat away at the metals in their engines and coolant systems, the correct coolant "is" pink, you also shouldn't be mixing different anti-freeze either, what you should be using is what Toyota says to use, they have done their research on what is best for a long life on the coolant system and that is either Toyota Long Life Pink anti-freeze or any other brand Asian formula which will also be pink and premixed 50/50!!!

 

[T4R03]

You shouldn't be using green anti-freeze in these T4Rs EVER unless you want to have it corrode the coolant passages of your engine, all green anti-freeze have silicates in them and Toyota has found that silicates eat away at the metals in their engines and coolant systems, the correct coolant "is" pink, you also shouldn't be mixing different anti-freeze either, what you should be using is what Toyota says to use, they have done their research on what is best for a long life on the coolant system and that is either Toyota Long Life Pink anti-freeze or any other brand Asian formula which will also be pink and premixed 50/50!!!

Okay... than you for the info. Will be draining it Thursday and putting some of the correct red stuff. Don't have a toyota dealer nearby though. Anything you recommend from Advanced Auto? Oreilly's? Maybe even autozone? Thanks for your help btw.

 

[woodman60]

Okay... than you for the info. Will be draining it Thursday and putting some of the correct red stuff. Don't have a toyota dealer nearby though. Anything you recommend from Advanced Auto? Oreilly's? Maybe even autozone? Thanks for your help btw.

Find zerex asian or buy Toyota on Amazon.

 

[BackOff]

Should not be eating that much antifreeze...Head gasket fail will eat antifreeze.

That reservoir has high and low marks on it. Should have fluid in the overflow tank.

It will expand with thermal increase...blue and red marks.
Yes I watch mine.

 

[AuSeeker]

Okay... than you for the info. Will be draining it Thursday and putting some of the correct red stuff. Don't have a toyota dealer nearby though. Anything you recommend from Advanced Auto? Oreilly's? Maybe even autozone? Thanks for your help btw.

Don't use red!!!

Red is for older Toyotas, only use "pink"!!

Yes see the quoted post below, buy Zerex Asian Formula anti-freeze, it's what I and many others use and it's works well for the 4th Gens and newer Toyotas!

https://www.google.com/search?q=Zer...an&aqs=chrome..69i57&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

Find zerex asian or buy Toyota on Amazon.

 

[Shiftless Joe]

Check the lower corners on the radiator, it doesn't take much seepage to use that amount of fluid.

 

[T4R03]

Don't use red!!!

Red is for older Toyotas, only use "pink"!!

Yes see the quoted post below, buy Zerex Asian Formula anti-freeze, it's what I and many others use and it's works well for the 4th Gens and newer Toyotas!

https://www.google.com/search?q=Zer...an&aqs=chrome..69i57&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

Okay that's the one I bought. Zerex... and it is pink. Do you think the coolant it has been eating is correlated to the green coolant I've been using?

 

[T4R03]

Should not be eating that much antifreeze...Head gasket fail will eat antifreeze.

That reservoir has high and low marks on it. Should have fluid in the overflow tank.

It will expand with thermal increase...blue and red marks.
Yes I watch mine.

You think it's a head gasket? The oil was perfectly fine last time I drained it. I doubt it's tranny fluid because it's red as ever on the dipstick. You think it's a very small leak? I can't find anything while the heater is on under the car or on the radiator.

 

[AuSeeker]

Okay that's the one I bought. Zerex... and it is pink. Do you think the coolant it has been eating is correlated to the green coolant I've been using?

I doubt the green coolant has caused any leaks, but you do need to replace it.

Also as mention above check very close where the radiator cores and tank are joined together, especially at the bottom, this is where most radiators start leaking when they go bad, and also where your hoses are connected, if you see any pink or green cystalization now that you have been using green anti-freeze, it's leaking

Which engine do you have the V6 or V8?

 

[T4R03]

I doubt the green coolant has caused any leaks, but you do need to replace it.

Also as mention above check very close where the radiator cores and tank are joined together, especially at the bottom, this is where most radiators start leaking when they go bad, and also where your hoses are connected, if you see any pink or green cystalization now that you have been using green anti-freeze, it's leaking

Which engine do you have the V6 or V8?

I have the V6.. I believe it's the 1GR FE. I think I will just flush the system. Clean it out with some distilled water and put the pink Zerex coolant in. If I notice anymore leakage in the system I think I'll just replace the radiator.

 

[asdfman7]

I have the V6.. I believe it's the 1GR FE. I think I will just flush the system. Clean it out with some distilled water and put the pink Zerex coolant in. If I notice anymore leakage in the system I think I'll just replace the radiator.

Before you spend anymore money on coolant or throw parts at it, check for symptoms of a head gasket leak. The leak on these motors doesn't go into the oil, it seeps into the cylinder. Rough idle after a cold start? Running water sound in the dash? Check engine light? Hydrocarbons in the coolant? You definitely need to get that green crap out of there ASAP, but wont do any good if your heads leaking.

 

[T4R03]

Before you spend anymore money on coolant or throw parts at it, check for symptoms of a head gasket leak. The leak on these motors doesn't go into the oil, it seeps into the cylinder. Rough idle after a cold start? Running water sound in the dash? Check engine light? Hydrocarbons in the coolant? You definitely need to get that green crap out of there ASAP, but wont do any good if your heads leaking.

How can I check if my heads leaking? I don't have a tester... do you think they sell the tester at harbor freight?

 

[T4R03]

Upon further inspection the radiator is indeed wet from the bottom corners. Wheeew I would have hated my life if there was a head gasket leak. Would've been so sad because I love my runner. Anyway... will be replacing radiator Thursday. I'll let ya guys know how everything goes!

 

[Seymore Butts]

Glad to hear that it's your radiator and a cheap fix.

However, I'm still left wondering why your green fluid is turning pink. Hopefully, it is not a sign of transmission fluid infiltration.

 

[AuSeeker]

Upon further inspection the radiator is indeed wet from the bottom corners. Wheeew I would have hated my life if there was a head gasket leak. Would've been so sad because I love my runner. Anyway... will be replacing radiator Thursday. I'll let ya guys know how everything goes!

Good to hear you 've seem to have found a leak, could be much worst!

Glad to hear that it's your radiator and a cheap fix.

However, I'm still left wondering why your green fluid is turning pink. Hopefully, it is not a sign of transmission fluid infiltration.

If indeed he has trans fluid getting in the coolant it could only be from the radiator, so since he's replacing it that will fix the issue if it the problem.

 

[Seymore Butts]

If indeed he has trans fluid getting in the coolant it could only be from the radiator, so since he's replacing it that will fix the issue if it the problem.

If there's coolant in the transmission, then this only the beginning of a very big problem.