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Radiator problem

Tiny
SHIKA
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 TOYOTA ECHO
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 14,065 MILES
Hi,

My car got overheated and the radiator got cracked so I replaced the radiator. Two days later I noticed pink oil stuff in the radiator coolant and reserve tank. What could be the cause of this? Can I still drive my car?
Wednesday, March 6th, 2019 AT 12:38 PM

8 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,205 POSTS
Hi and thanks for using 2CarPros.

If you didn't flush the engine block, my first suspect is that there was still Toyota Long Life Coolant in the engine. It is pink. Take a look at the picture I attached. I was able to find it online so you can see the color. Now keep in mind, it will have mixed with what you added, so the color may not be exactly the same.

As long as you used the proper type of coolant, there shouldn't be any problems.

Take a look and let me know if you have other questions.

Joe
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Wednesday, March 6th, 2019 AT 12:54 PM
Tiny
SHIKA
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
HiJoe,

Actually its the pink fluid floating on top of the coolant. I can feel the oily texture in the hand. Does that indicate any sort of leakage?
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Wednesday, March 6th, 2019 AT 2:06 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,205 POSTS
Coolant has a somewhat oily texture. However, when you say it is on top of the other, do you mean it isn't mixing together? Is the engine running properly?
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Wednesday, March 6th, 2019 AT 2:37 PM
Tiny
SHIKA
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
No, it doesn't mix. Engine is running fine, I even keep on checking the temperature gauge while driving, and the temperature is okay.
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Wednesday, March 6th, 2019 AT 3:14 PM
Tiny
SHIKA
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Sorry, my car model is not Echo. It is Toyota Duet 2003. There was no option as Duet in drop down so I just chose Echo.
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Wednesday, March 6th, 2019 AT 3:18 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,205 POSTS
Welcome back:

No problem. The same principals still apply, What I suggest is to drain and flush the system so that everything is new.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/coolant-flush-and-refill-all-cars

If you do that, you should be okay.

Let me know if I can help.

Joe
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Wednesday, March 6th, 2019 AT 7:45 PM
Tiny
SHIKA
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Thank you Joe. Is there a method you would like to suggest for radiator flush out. Actually someone told me if there is internal damage in the radiator it would result in transmission fluid to contaminate the coolant, however, I check the level of transmission fluid every time before I drive and the level remains same. I will do the flush out of radiator today.
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Thursday, March 7th, 2019 AT 4:15 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,205 POSTS
If there is an internal leak in the radiator, it could allow transmission fluid to mix. However, one of two things would be happening. First, the transmission fluid would be going down and the pink in the reservoir would be increasing, or vice-versa. Keep an eye on the transmission just in case, but it doesn't sound like that is the issue.

Here is a link that shows how to drain and flush the system. Let me know if this helps or if you have other questions.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/coolant-flush-and-refill-all-cars

Take care,
Joe
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Thursday, March 7th, 2019 AT 7:08 PM

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