Upper Radiator Leak and Oil

[nasdamus]

I've been doing a lot of research on these forums and fear i know he answer of what's coming. 2003 Sr5 V6, 136,000 miles.I was getting ready to do a coolant flush this weekend as the coolant level was getting low. I couldn't see any leaks and it hasn't been a quick leak. I took off the radiator support shield last night to do some further digging and did find the pink stuff on the upper passenger side of the radiator, right below the cap. Picture attached. I checked all around the rest of the radiator and water pump as best i could and couldn't find any additional leaks. My plan is to replace the radiator, hoses, tstat and coolant this weekend. I might replace the water pump as well if i can use the method of doing so without removing the alternator (stripped lower bolt, diff issue). The question i have is that i also have an oil leak. See pictures. It's been there for about 6-8 months now. Oil level is fine and not discolored. No overheating and i have not experienced any rough starts or idling and no codes. Being an 03 V6 with 136k miles, i have to fear it's a head gasket.

Is there anything preventive i can do? Is it safe to scrub off that oil and see how long it takes to come back to gauge how bad the leak is? Appreciate the help.

 

[fdbyrne]

I'm not a professional by any means but that oil leak looks more like a bad valve cover gasket which isn't that big of a deal. Good luck.

 

[radlynx]

looks to me a valve cover gasket too. just a suggestion when you replace the radiator, don't flush it, just refill it with toyota coolant. to get more coolant out of the radiator, blow it with air while the thermostat is removed. flushing it with water especially if it's not filtered, you'll just introduce more contaminant in there. water ratio will still be the same if you just refill it.

I'm not a professional by any means but that oil leak looks more like a bad valve cover gasket which isn't that big of a deal. Good luck.

 

[nasdamus]

You all are giving me hope! I've been one the fence about whether or not to fill up the coolant and take her straight in to trade it in and get what i can before having to drop some serious money into it.

 

[fdbyrne]

If it were a head gasket it's unlikely that you would have coolant and oil leaking from two separate places on the outside of the engine. More likely you would have oil in your coolant and coolant in your oil. If you're really worried about it I think you can take some of your coolant to the Toyota dealership and have them check it for hydrocarbons.

It looks to me that you just have two separate but unrelated fluid leaks.

 

[nasdamus]

Agreed. I was hesitant because other than that seepage, I've had no other engine issues that would point to a blown HG, no smell of coolant either. The mileage had me scared and then lack of coolant.

After your suggestion of a valve cover gasket I've done some more searching and that's exactly what it is. There's actually an almost identical photo in one of the other posts of it (as well as a step by step guide to get it fixed). thank you all!