Leaking red fluid bad, can I drive to a mechanic?

[ir0nma1den]

My 4runner has sat for 3 days, just drove it and noticed some smoke coming from the the air intake in front of the windshield. Then noticed my temp gauge getting hotter. Pulled over to see all this. Can I drive it 3 miles or should I tow?

 

[brillo_76]

Do not push the engine temp into H. If you think you can keep water in it and get it there. That's up to you.

I'd verify that antifreeze. Isn't going anywhere else and just leaking to the ground.

Should be able to fill it with water. You sure you just not a cracked or busted hose. Or the heater valve didn't snap?

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[ir0nma1den]

Not sure how to verify it’s antifreeze. No engine codes yet. Never hit red on the temp gauge but got close. Judging by where the insulation melted and the fact there is red fluid at the top seems to me like a leak from a line up top.

 

[brillo_76]

I would check all fluids make sure all is well and try to isolate that leak. Those heater valves can Crack abs snap.


Once the engine is ice cold. You can carefully open the radiator cap and check the antifreeze.

Do not touch a radiator cap if any heat is left to the engine at all.

The 3 red fluids would be antifreeze, Power steering along with transmission fluid.

Being those lines that are all coolant lines to the rear heater and the heater core. I suspect the leak in thst general area up top there.

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[ir0nma1den]

Well, I’m seriously thinking an animal was nesting in here


dice application

 

[ir0nma1den]

Case solved. Can’t even believe it


upload

 

[Devbot]

Funny, I saw that little bugger is one of the first pictures but thought that was some more insulation that worked it's way down
Still alive? Free pet if so!

 

[Bad Luck]

Case solved. Can’t even believe it

Rodent damage can be a disaster to deal with. Once you remove all that insulation double check the wires in that area to make sure they weren't gnawed on. Squirrels seem to go more for rubber houses, and mice/rats prefer wiring. Good luck!

 

[brillo_76]

Glad you found it. It'd truly amazing how much damage those critters can do. It's one of the reasons I keep cats around.

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[phattyduck]

Case solved. Can’t even believe it

Looks like that was one of the throttle body coolant lines. Don't drive it until you can replace that line.

Probably time to just pull off the hood insulation...

-Charlie