Leaking from my radiator?

Tiny
PREZZIE
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 TOYOTA LAND CRUISER PRADO
  • 4 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 170,000 MILES
I see some form of fluid (oil) apparently leaking from my radiator. I was advised that it is possibly a leak in the cooling system as some radiators have an oil component. Is that true.
Monday, May 25th, 2009 AT 1:11 AM

1 Reply

Tiny
SQM
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,383 POSTS
Hello,

Typically a radiator will have cooler lines for the transmission. So you can see transmission fluid leaking out of a radiator but not engine oil.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-a-radiator-works

If you have oil in coolant, that is a sign of a blown head gasket.
Check your oil to see what color it is. If it is milky white they you have coolant mixed in the engine oil.

There is a test you can do to see if you have a blown head gasket. That test checks for combustion gases in the coolant. When a head gasket is blown you will have combustion gas leak into the coolant from the engine.

Here is a helpful video:

https://youtu.be/5zpNjYmmiYY
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/head-gasket-blown-test

Please let me know of any questions.

Thank you.
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Tuesday, August 24th, 2021 AT 8:24 PM

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