White residue on coolant overflow tank filler tube - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

***dz63*** · 08-09-2009, 09:55 PM

I noticed today that the coolant overflow tank was empty and there is some white residue on the overflow filler tube and inside the tank. See photo below.

I haven't noticed any coolant leakage on the driveway. The radiator is full and coolant looks normal (clear/green). The oil on the dipstick looks normal with no sign of contamination. No elevated temperatures noted when driving. Any ideas on what would cause this and what to check next?

***fenixus*** · 08-10-2009, 11:06 AM

hmmm ... not sure why you have it, but i think most people here would tell you that the Head Gasket is going probably ... maybe it's the first symptom since engine oil is not contaminated (yet) ? ...

mvftw · 08-10-2009, 11:29 AM

Check your Oil Fill Cap. If it looks like chocolate mike underneath, then you may have a Head Gasket issue...

***JohnGD*** · 08-10-2009, 07:29 PM

That sludge looks like the following:

http://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/tech...asket/pic3.jpg

And this picture talks about a blown head gasket. YMMV.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dz63

I noticed today that the coolant overflow tank was empty and there is some white residue on the overflow filler tube and inside the tank. See photo below.

Dave's · 08-10-2009, 08:37 PM

You could try removing the radiator cap while the engine is cool and then running the engine until the t-stat opens. As the coolant flows, look for that tell-tale oil slick look. (May need a bright light) Maybe a compression check could help as well. A bad head gasket can leave you with oil in your coolant, coolant in your oil, either one simply going out your exhaust, or any combination. Hope it's not that serious.

onefiend · 08-10-2009, 10:20 PM

Probably has to do with the Green coolant you're using, Toyota's are suppose to use Red coolant. You can buy the Toyota Red coolant at any Toyota Dealership.

***JohnGD*** · 08-10-2009, 10:34 PM

Green coolant's primary disadvantage is the silicates wearing out the rubber seals on cheap import water pumps. But silicates works very well against cavitation corrosion. But silicates won't do anything to the head gasket.

Quote:

Originally Posted by onefiend

Probably has to do with the Green coolant you're using, Toyota's are suppose to use Red coolant. You can buy the Toyota Red

coolant at any Toyota Dealership.

***fenixus*** · 08-10-2009, 11:35 PM

well there is something about non-red coolant (from dept store) and water pump dying faster as i lost mine (replaced just in time) at around 55K and i never used red toyota coolant back then.

***dz63*** · 08-11-2009, 11:41 AM

No chocolate milk under the oil cap. The residue is only in the overflow tank, nowhere else that i can find. Last night, I think I have figured out what might be causing it.

There is a systemic design problem on the location of the coolant reservoir tank on the GEN3 Camry. The location is such that some sunlight will hit the corners of the tank and the UV deteriorates the pastic and makes it brittle.

About 1 1/2 years ago, I fixed the corners of my coolant reservoir tank with fiberglass mesh tape and two part epoxy. I spray painted the area black to keep the sun off and thought I'd solved that one for good.

Well it turns out that the corners that i fixed are now getting mushy. I think the coolant fumes may be incompatible with the epoxy that I used and the white film is actually degraded epoxy from the repair.

i have ordered a new tank on-line for $15 (shipping included) and will try that as the next step to solve the problem.

http://www.freshcabinair.com/Items/c...%20%23%20CT004

The dealerships rape us up here in Canada. They wanted $141 for a new reservoir.

Thanks for posting. I will post back to let you know if it solves the problem.

***dz63*** · 08-11-2009, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnGD

Green coolant's primary disadvantage is the silicates wearing out the rubber seals on cheap import water pumps. But silicates works very well against cavitation corrosion. But silicates won't do anything to the head gasket.

I will have to google red coolant vs. green. Didn't realize there was any difference. Interesting! I think the latest stuff I picked up Canadian Tire is actually yellow! I am now going to have to investigate this.

***96paseo*** · 08-11-2009, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dz63

I will have to google red coolant vs. green. Didn't realize there was any difference. Interesting! I think the latest stuff I picked up Canadian Tire is actually yellow! I am now going to have to investigate this.

From what i've read, yellow coolant is used in newer Fords. I stick with Toyota Red since its a long life coolant. Its good for 5 years/100,000 miles and after a good back flushing, will stay clean for a while.

canddmeyer · 08-11-2009, 03:49 PM

Hard water deposits can also cause the white you are seeing.

***JohnGD*** · 08-11-2009, 07:42 PM

A major aftermarket coolant here in the US is Prestone. And they've gone to a version of the GM Dexcool formula. The disadvantage is the 2EHA component is a plsticizer and softens cheap plastics in some cooling systems.

So besides the Toyota Red, Peake Global is another option (silicate/2EHA free).

Quote:

Originally Posted by dz63

I will have to google red coolant vs. green. Didn't realize there was any difference. Interesting! I think the latest stuff I picked up Canadian Tire is actually yellow! I am now going to have to investigate this.

***JohnGD*** · 08-11-2009, 07:43 PM

Prestone is no longer the traditional "American Green". But a yellow/gold type coolant.

***JohnGD*** · 08-11-2009, 07:45 PM

I certainly hope so. Because a blown head gasket is a major pain.

However, most hard water deposits I've seen have been more solid and hard to get off the rubber hose.

Quote:

Originally Posted by canddmeyer

Hard water deposits can also cause the white you are seeing.