Markings on radiator

What would cause these reddish-orange markings? Dealer said it's not rust or corrosion.

 

That's a plastic tank so it must be plastic degradation. I'd say get that thing out of there and replace it with a denso from rockauto before you get pink milkshake.

 

Psychodelic coolant? You should ask around in the 3rd Gen forums. Maybe someone has a similar issue.

 

Already on a 2023?

 

I see now that it says he has a 2023 but that engine bay is definitely 1st gen

 

On a FGT, that’s an ominous sign of impending radiator or trans cooler failure. Buy a new rad ASAP. Only use Denso which is the OEM supplier. Rock Auto sells them.

 

Nick is right. Your radiator needs to be replaced.

 

My bad, everyone, I forgot to include that this is on an 04 DC 4X4

 

I had a friend who had a paint job like that on his '71 Cutlass.

 

Yikes. Time for a new radiator. I just replaced the radiator in my 04 about a year ago after it started turning brown. Denso from rockauto.

 

kind of has a trout skin look.

 

Looks to me like a chemical reaction with the plastic, have you cleaned under there with anything lately?

 

Sorry, I left out a bunch of important info on this thread.

This is a truck I am considering buying. It was just detailed.

I'm used to seeing plastic parts fade to tan when they wear out, like the heater control valve. But this is something new to me. The guy I spoke with at the dealership said it was a chemical reaction, but I was dubious.

 

New Denso radiator is less than $200. I e seen em as low as $120. Not sure why you wouldn’t just replace the f’n thing for crying out loud.

 

How is the radiator compromised over some surface discoloration?

 

From a dealership?!
1. <sigh>, often the least knowledgeable about their own products
2. Fine...make your offer (after you check the other fluids) contingent upon their replacing it with OEM or Denso

 

First gen police were on it lol. Clearly not a 2023 engine bay lol.

 

I could actually believe the chemical reaction story after looking at the picture again but I also believe it's likely the original 15-20 year old radiator so it should be replaced either way. First gens are extremely reliable but they need maintenance due to age.

 

I've bought 6 different Toyota trucks from dealers and private sellers over the years and the experience I am having with this crew is no-nonsense and transparent.

They were unclear about the timing belt and water pump and offered to replace it, on their dime, with an OEM kit.

 

1st gen radiators have a penchant for discoloring (marbling/patching in tannish brown, not necessarily speckling, though both are visible here) on the top plastic as they age.

Transmission line runs through the radiator on 1st gens, and the older designs corrode where the transmission line enters the radiator, allowing cooland and transmission fluid to mix ("pink milkshake").

The smart thing to do here is spend $120-150 to buy a new Denso radiator to save you from what will ultimately lead most people to a $3,000+ transmission replacement.

 

and that is the plan on my end.

 

So all 1st gens have transmission cooler built into radiator? Not just the ones with the factory tow package?

 

It’s a thing for tow pkg and non tow pkg trucks. If you need to confirm, look at the bottom of the radiator for a small hose going in on one side and out the other. But given there are only a couple part numbers, and those part numbers have entry/exit bibs, ….

 

leopard print?

 

Think bowling ball style (see video if you're not familiar), but with spots. With bowling ball, all the shops I knew would lay cling wrap or similar on wet paint to create the effect, peel it, repeat for desired look, then wetsand smooth and multiple coats of clear. I don't know how the shop got his effect. It's almost like they seeded the wet paint so it created round voids, and cleared over it. It looked very similar to that radiator.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=xhPMrGsIvxM​

 

Yes, i have the trans cooler and tow package, just didnt want to inadvertently order one without trans cooler if they existed.