Found Oil in the radiator- what could this be? - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

JohnnyProphet · 03-03-2005, 04:58 PM

While filling up the coolant in my 97 toyota tacoma 4x4 yesterday, I noticed that there was oil in the radiator.

I have a suspicion that it might be a head gasket, but my pessimest ways are freaking out at the need for a new engine..

Please help with advice !!! Thank you !

BobCat7 · 03-03-2005, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnnyProphet

While filling up the coolant in my 97 toyota tacoma 4x4 yesterday, I noticed that there was oil in the radiator.

I have a suspicion that it might be a head gasket, but my pessimest ways are freaking out at the need for a new engine..

Please help with advice !!! Thank you !

Well it could be a cracked head, blown head gasket, cracked block, you name it. Is there water in the oil? Does the oil look like chocolate milk?

Smoke · 03-03-2005, 09:07 PM

If your vehicle is an automatic it is probably the tranny fluid cooler inside the radiator leaking!!

JohnnyProphet · 03-03-2005, 10:23 PM

There is no water in the oil; dipstick looks completely normal; no milky look to it, no sign of antifreeze in it (on the dipstick) at all. The truck is a manual tranny. The oil in the radiator is watery, but its definitely oily (feel, etc.).
btw, the truck has 193,700 miles on it. Have noticed a power decrease, but then again, its only four cylinder and I figured it was just the drag of the ladders I have on it.

4G63Attack · 03-03-2005, 10:29 PM

went was the last time you change the HG? becarefull and keep an eye out for it

Smoke · 03-04-2005, 09:54 AM

Flush your cooling system, using a good flush and refill and see what happens. Could be it just got a little something in it!!

SupramiR · 03-04-2005, 09:59 AM

get a cooling system compression test done. that will confirm your HG leak doubt.