Cooling System

Radiator leak? Came home today and found coolant on the ground. Replaced top hose 3 days ago. Was going to buy a thermostat but I believe Now that I need a radiator replacement. Any thoughts or opinions are widely accepted.

 

Look below the upper hose. A lot of times the plastic tank cracks there when changing the hose. Due to the age and brittleness of the plastic after so many heat cycles.

 

Tranny fluid is what it looks like

 

Replace the radiator. Don't put too much thought into it, just get an OEM spec radiator from NAPA, you'll be happy with it. Don't even bother with a Toyota/Aisin factory replacement, neither you or your engine will know the difference.

Also, don't order one online. Buy one at the store and give it a good look before paying for it. I have ordered three radiators online, two were delivered to me damaged and it was a real pain in my ass sending them back... I had to take pictures for the vendors to prove my innocence because they didn't bother padding them in the boxes they were shipped in.

OEM and in-store. You won't lose.

 

No, my tranny and radiator fluid color are the same. I MADE SURE it was not the tranny. Good on that part.

 

Ok, will do first thing tomorrow. Do you recommend DIY radiator change? No stranger to taking out and replacing parts in the engine or under.

 

Have to elaborate on this. Have you checked the fluid in the trans to make sure it's not contaminated with radiator fluid? The trans fluid is red colored oil. The radiator fluid is red or pink colored coolant. Does the fluid leaking feel slick? if you wet your fingers with it, can you snap your fingers then? or is it too slippery to? Too slippery means it's oil and not water. The lower part of the radiator (the only part that's wet) is where the trans cooler line runs through. Suspicious.

 

Thank you for enlightening me. I did not know this, I was wrong. What do you suggest I do? Replace the line if possible?

 

The first pic shows what appears to be dried/crusty coolant on the lower left. I hesitate to recommend this but you can dab a finger on the fluid and touch it to your tongue. If you get any hint of a sweet taste, it's coolant. If it's trans oil it wont taste like anything, just oily residue. Coolant is highly toxic so be warned so if you do a taste test don't swallow!

 

If the trans fluid and the coolant have mixed then you'll have to flush many many gallons of trans fluid through your trans and hope that it isn't already ruined and too late but hopfully this is not the case.

Going to have to determine for certain what fluid is leaking from your rad and figure out if the fluids have mixed. Hopfully the fluid is just coolant and you should be alright with a new rad. Toyota coolant is purplish and this looks like it could be either coolant or trans fluid but hard to tell on the internet.

Trans fluid has a pretty distinct smell. If you're unsure of regular trans fluid smell pull your trans dipstick and see if that and the fluid you see smell the same. Never been one to taste any fluids but a smell test works pretty well most the time.

 

Will go out and see which one it is when the sun come out. This is not the first time this has happened. First time I've seen it leak out that much though. Transmission still performs perfectly fine atm. No gear slippage. Would I notice a problem with my transmission if this is transmission fluid mixed with coolant?

 

While you're out there, remove the radator cap and take a look inside the radiator, check the overflow tank, and pull the transmission dipstick to see what the fluid looks like. If the coolant and ATF are pink/red and semi transparent, you're OK. If they're light pink and cloudy/milky, they have likely mixed.

 

It is the radiator fluid leaking. It is still pink/red and a little transparent. Has not mixed. Transmission fluid is still red and not milky. Has not mixed. Transmission fluid is also still full. Looking into new radiator tomorrow at napa and autozone. Any suggestions?

 

Inside of radiator today at 6:48pm.
Same color and feel as substance leaking from bottom and substance on the ground.

 

Asian vehicle coolant is pink or red, they use different additives for different head/block materials... iron/aluminum. Taste it. If it is sweet on top, you are fine. On top that is... oil floats on water and coolant. I honestly doubt it is transmission fluid, not to discredit anyone here, that just looks like coolant to me in both pictures.

Both fluids are slippery to the touch, keep that in mind.

 

If you are concerned, skim some of the fluid off the very top of your radiator (get your wife's turkey baster or a medicine dropper) and squirt it into a clear jar of water. If it is trans fluid it will float and produce a distinct line at the interface.

Edit, didn't read your post. Glad it is only coolant!! Easy fix.

 

Make sure the replacement radiator has the same size core as your original. https://www.tundras.com/threads/wha...-gen-tundra-today.2558/page-1080#post-2400090

You don't want it to be like this one. https://www.tundras.com/threads/wha...-gen-tundra-today.2558/page-1073#post-2388359

 

That seems familiar .


Of the aftermarket replacements available, the only one with a core that lists the same thickness as the OEM one was from Koyo at 1 7/16" (36.5mm). The Denso and others shows 1 1/4" (31.75mm) online.

 

Just noticed this: you have an aftermarket radiator with aluminum tanks on the top and bottom. I'd be interested to know where it failed after you get it out.

 

How do you know its aftermarket? My grandfather said this is the original radiator that came with the truck when he bought it 20 years ago. Never failed or been changed. Straight off the lot. I do not want to replace radiator with a radiator that has plastic on it at all. All aluminum. Any suggestions?

 

Take a pic of the radiator from the top with the fill cap visible. That will let us know for sure if it is aftermarket all aluminum or original type.

 

The original fill cap i replaced because it wore out. Still will include a photo of it. Hang on

 

The original radiator cap wore out and I replaced it with the orange one. The orange one wore out 2 weeks ago and I replaced it with the black one. OEM radiator cap is not shown here because I threw it away after I seen the damage it had.

 

Should look similar to this if original.

 

Yes definitely aftermarket. Looks like a nice piece it sucks that it's blown out. All aluminum ones are kinda pricey I believe. Most likely have to find one and order. Not gonna be around in any parts store only original type. Someone on here has a aluminum one like yours but I don't remember off hand who it is or what brand it is .

 

Ok, thank you for clarification. Some people here have listed a koyo aftermarket replacement with the same thickness as the original (36.5m) I don't care about price. Just want a good all aluminum.

 

All aluminum is only made by a couple or few companies.
Here's one
https://www.mishimoto.com/toyota-tundra-performance-aluminum-radiator-2000-2006-v2.html

 

Have you pinpointed the leak? If not hose off everything then let it dry, refill start up and look for leaks. Sounds like with all the cap changing along with a top hose it could be something simple.

 

I wouldn't be the slightest bit concerned about replacing it with a Denso radiator with plastic tanks (in fact, I just replaced mine with a Denso from Rock Auto). The OEM (Denso) radiators have plastic tanks and seem to be lasting 15+ years (we've had a number of "pink milkshakes" on the forum in recent months with trucks that are 15 - 21 years old). In comparison, your all-aluminum radiator is not original, so even if grand dad doesn't remember, it was replaced at some point. So that all-aluminum radiator most likely didn't last 15+ years.
BTW, when the Denso radiators fail, it's not the plastic... it's the aluminum in the connection to the ATF cooler that fails.

 

My plastic one cracked at the top and started a slow leak. It was only 18 years old. WTH