coolant on fan shroud !! Huh ??

[Mellemel]

Reservoir loosing coolant regularly and level falls from full to low mark in a week ! There is a small deposit of coolant on the bottom of the fan shroud, rad looks fine, no deposits of anything suggesting a leak ! No other visible leaks. Odd ! Don't think it's the HG. Runs smooth from cold and it's between -10c / -20c currently. No milky oil.
Would the rad be leaking in the middle ? and the fan is blowing coolant onto the shroud hence the deposit ?
Anyone had this at all ?
3.4 V6 '97 4runner.

 

[mtbtim]

A radiator can definitely leak somewhere in the middle. Happened to the radiator on my 99 Subaru. The coolant runs through piping that is cooled as the air moves through the fins. You probably have a leak somewhere in the piping unless the upper radiator hose has a leak and is dripping down onto the shroud or being flung around by the fan. Check the upper radiator hose first. If there's no leaks there, you must have a leak coming from the radiator.

I did a Google search on how a radiator works and found this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q56k37FsRcA

From what I've read, it's not that hard to replace the radiator. Good luck!

 

[pluton]

Replacing the radiator is easy. Replacing the radiator outdoors where you are would not be pleasant, however.
Plus, these radiators are relatively cheap: Here in California, I got an OEM radiator from one of the online discount Toyota dealers for right about US$200.
Take the opportunity to replace coolant, hoses and thermostat if they're old.

 

[mtbtim]

Replacing the radiator is easy. Replacing the radiator outdoors where you are would not be pleasant, however.
Plus, these radiators are relatively cheap: Here in California, I got an OEM radiator from one of the online discount Toyota dealers for right about US$200.
Take the opportunity to replace coolant, hoses and thermostat if they're old.

I didn't know the radiators were that affordable. I think I'll replace mine the next time I drain the coolant just for added insurance since mine is 15 years old.

Hoses would definitely be a good choice to replace if they look old and feel a little stiff. However, if I'm remembering correctly what I saw in a timing belt replacement video, the thermostat is buried behind the timing cover. The thermostat should be replaced when you have everything torn apart to do the timing belt. Replacing the water pump while you are in there is always recommended as well.

 

[repo]

The thermostat is quite easy to get to but you have more room with the radiator off. You dont need to remove the timing belt cover. I'm about to do this myself. Radiator, upper/lower hoses, thermostat, thermostat gasket.

 

[mtbtim]

The thermostat is quite easy to get to but you have more room with the radiator off. You dont need to remove the timing belt cover. I'm about to do this myself. Radiator, upper/lower hoses, thermostat, thermostat gasket.

That's good to know. I'll replace my thermostat too when I replace my radiator and hoses.

 

[Mellemel]

Well thanks for the info, I honestly dont think the HG is the problem. The timing belt was replaced with water pump 6 months ago, not sure of the thermostat. The rad I believe is recent, how recent not too sure, the guy I bought it off a year ago said he'd replaced it. It only looks a couple of years at most.
When the weather warms up I am going to do a flush and check into this further. I think I'm going to replace hoses too. The list grows !

 

[gamefreakgc]

Any shop will have the equipment to do a coolant pressure test. What it does is it increases the pressure to what you would normally experience when the engine is hot and reveal any leaks and their exact location.

Most shops charge $75, my local shop would do it for $25 if I asked them along with normal maintenance (oil change, etc.). That way you're not just throwing parts at it that may or may not fix the issue.