Coolant suddenly dropping in reservoir! 272K miles

[blackmax]

4.0 V6 1GR FE motor. So about 4-5 months ago, I noticed that it SEEMED like my coolant level in the reservoir went down a tad. I took a sharpie and drew a line where it was, while hot, and decided I'd check back periodically. I did so about a week later and it seemed just slightly lower. I wasn't too concerned yet, as it was slight. Well, I forgot all about it for maybe 4-5 months now. Probably 5. I went out just now to take a look, and it's right at the bottom of the reservoir, just barely even a little puddle of pink coolant down there. UH OH! :wow::wow:

I don't see, nor have I seen a leak or pooling of coolant on the driveway, but the bottom of the radiator and a little the evaporator they both have a white corrosion on them. I'm HOPING TO GOD the water pump is leaking slightly and that's all it is. Not he dreaded head gasket!

Details: 280,000 miles. Original water pump. Runs and idles fine. Now misfire codes. No white smoke that I can discern out the pipe. Oil looks fine.

Any thoughts??

 

[blackmax]

Just normal road corrosion or evidence of leaking pump ?

 

[Moist]

Has the coolant been changing color, in the radiator or in the overflow tank?
I've got a 2UZFE but my coolant seemed like it was disappearing, then it all burped back up but dark brown. Looking at my radiator it's filled with soot.

Otherwise check your trans fluid level and see if it smells sweet or is really high.

Otherwise I'd just say idle it for a good while and see if it starts dripping out.

 

[OopsIBrokeIt]

Any signs of dripping or staining near the serpentine belt or waterpump?

Mine started leaking slightly behind the WP pulley and my only sign was coolant drips being thrown absolutely everywhere by the belt.

 

[Syr4RinNC]

I’m going through the same thing - your options are take it to a shop and have them trace it or really inspect all the hoses and radiator and everything

My water pump gaskets were in bad shape - and that may be the culprit - just replaced the water pump today so hopefully that takes care of my issues

 

[MikeinNH67]

Mine was the radiator where the plastic meets the top metal on it. There's seals in there that, as the rad gets older, can weep. You would need to remove the plastic top cover that is over the rad to see this area, it is held on with push clips. Mine had dried pink foamy looking stuff in the area on one side. I got a Denso rad off of RA for a good price and no leaks now.

The lower part of your rad looks like road grime.

 

[Buckaroo]

Cheap first step - I would put on a new radiator cap if you haven't done so in the last couple of years.

If you are still losing engine coolant, I would invest in a leak test kit like this to help you chase it down: Mastercool Inc., Manufacturer of Air Conditioning, Refrigeration, Service Tools and Equipment

FYI, typical symptom associated with burning engine coolant associated with head gasket leak is white exhaust smoke after warming up the exhaust on initial start-up.

 

[Berty_K]

Cheap first step - I would put on a new radiator cap if you haven't done so in the last couple of years.

If you are still losing engine coolant, I would invest in a leak test kit like this to help you chase it down: Mastercool Inc., Manufacturer of Air Conditioning, Refrigeration, Service Tools and Equipment

FYI, typical symptom associated with burning engine coolant associated with head gasket leak is white exhaust smoke after warming up the exhaust on initial start-up.

Came here to say this. Had the same symptoms as you, turned out to just be an old radiator cap.

 

[wsgoat]

How old is the radiator? They're know to start weeping in the lower corners when they get older.