Coolant leak?

[flipty]

This is quite clearly the upper radiator hose causing some mess.

When I got the vehicle 2 months ago about 80-90% of this light-clay-coloured residue was there. It hadn't changed at all the entire time I've driven so I pretty much forgot about it.... but when I popped the hood today I saw more splotching, as seen in the photo:

The level in the overflow reservoir is directly between MIN and MAX right after a long drive, so I feel like that's OK. Let me know if I'm wrong.

The first obvious step I would think would be to replace the upper hose. Should be a no-brainer right? Anyone seeing anything else at a glance that is a red flag?

 

[Stiles97]

What does the coolant in the radiator look like? Is this an automatic trans truck? Color looks off.

 

[theesotericone]

Colors not off. That's exactly what Toyo Red looks like when it dries.


OP, get a band clamp and put that on in place of the factory clamp. That solved it for me a long time ago. Of course, if the hose feels like crap replace it but my hose was fine. Still is actually. lol

 

[flipty]

Colors not off. That's exactly what Toyo Red looks like when it dries.


OP, get a band clamp and put that on in place of the factory clamp. That solved it for me a long time ago. Of course, if the hose feels like crap replace it but my hose was fine. Still is actually. lol

The hose looks and feels reasonable. I'm used to lifetime silicone hoses that I was putting in my old VW so comparison might be off, but it doesn't seem unreasonably hard or soft, and no obvious cracking. I can toss a 'normal' hose clamp on there and see what happens. I imagine a replacement hose ain't gonna cost much and if I hear "OEM ONLY!" on hoses I'm going to blow an artery out of my neck.

 

[Kanoe]

and if I hear "OEM ONLY!" on hoses I'm going to blow an artery out of my neck.

Well, since you bring it up.... Aftermarket hoses may have a thicker sidewall and I have had a hard time using the factory constant tension clamp with the aftermarkets. If you are going to switch to screw type clamps then not an issue.

 

[octanejunkie]

Pink/Red coolant should dry pinkish white in color

I venture a guess that if you drain some coolant, and pull the upper radiator hose, you will find a massive buildup of caked and dried coolant which prevents the hose and clamp from functioning correctly.

Stuff a rag in the coolant neck and a towel over your belts and scrape all that crap off. You'll probably get a better seal, but the hose may be shot/past it's prime. A $7 Gates hose will work until you are ready to pony up $20 for a Toyota hose, PN #16571-62070

Also, the overflow will likely be at the MAX or HOT level after a long drive. When the vehicle cools overnight it sucks the coolant back into the rad/engine and the overflow should be at the MIN or COLD level. If the cooling system couldn't vent the expanded coolant it would explode. If there were no overflow canister it would just expel the excess coolant and waste it, and then be low on coolant.

 

[nvestor88]

Having the same issue on my 2001. Pulled off old hose, replaced with a new one...it's still seeping. Could the neck of the upper hose to engine be cracked?