Coolant small in car, and color on top of radiator
12-09-23, 05:01 PM
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Coolant small in car, and color on top of radiator
I have a 2010 ES-350 with about 75,000 miles on it.
For about the past year, I've periodically noticed a sweet-smelling chemical smell in the car while driving, then after about a week it would go away, only to return in about a month (those are very rough time periods I'm referencing).
Lately it became more persistent and stronger.
I took it to a mechanic and spoke to AutoZone and realized it's the radiator coolant that I'm smelling. The mechanic showed me the pink color all across the top inch or so of the side of the radiator facing the engine and pointed out a little water near the main input. He said I need a new radiator.
However, I filled it with coolant and it took 20 oz in the reservoir and then about 13 oz in the radiator. That doesn't seem like a lot to me. I did not bleed the radiator fluid system. I did run the engine for about 30 seconds and rev it and then top it off.
A YouTube video showing how to change the radiator showed the same pink color across the top as what mine has. This has me wondering whether the pink color might just be normal (and the little bit of water on the radiator frame the mechanic showed me might just be condensation -- I'm in South Florida).
Yet if that was all normal that wouldn't explain the fact that I've been noticing an increasingly strong sweet-ish chemical in the car.
The mechanic said he will need to check the whole system over before making any final determinations but has already asked for the VIN number so he can get me a price on a new radiator.
Does it sound like it needs a new radiator from what I've reported here? Or is this just too little information to go on?
Thanks!
Jay
For about the past year, I've periodically noticed a sweet-smelling chemical smell in the car while driving, then after about a week it would go away, only to return in about a month (those are very rough time periods I'm referencing).
Lately it became more persistent and stronger.
I took it to a mechanic and spoke to AutoZone and realized it's the radiator coolant that I'm smelling. The mechanic showed me the pink color all across the top inch or so of the side of the radiator facing the engine and pointed out a little water near the main input. He said I need a new radiator.
However, I filled it with coolant and it took 20 oz in the reservoir and then about 13 oz in the radiator. That doesn't seem like a lot to me. I did not bleed the radiator fluid system. I did run the engine for about 30 seconds and rev it and then top it off.
A YouTube video showing how to change the radiator showed the same pink color across the top as what mine has. This has me wondering whether the pink color might just be normal (and the little bit of water on the radiator frame the mechanic showed me might just be condensation -- I'm in South Florida).
Yet if that was all normal that wouldn't explain the fact that I've been noticing an increasingly strong sweet-ish chemical in the car.
The mechanic said he will need to check the whole system over before making any final determinations but has already asked for the VIN number so he can get me a price on a new radiator.
Does it sound like it needs a new radiator from what I've reported here? Or is this just too little information to go on?
Thanks!
Jay
12-09-23, 06:12 PM
#2
Lexus Fanatic
Not normal your radiator will fail sooner or later. Replace it. Get this
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...t=2172&jsn=372
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...t=2172&jsn=372
12-09-23, 06:25 PM
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Thanks!
I know the mechanic likes the Denso name.
He said he'd need the VIN to know what to order. Can I feel confident ordering this right away? Should I give you the VIN to double-check?
I know the mechanic likes the Denso name.
He said he'd need the VIN to know what to order. Can I feel confident ordering this right away? Should I give you the VIN to double-check?
12-09-23, 06:32 PM
#4
Lexus Fanatic
That's the correct rad for your car. FYI the link is for the thicker radiator as part of the towing package there is no downside except you get better cooling. Put this code in where it says "how did you hear about is" you'll get 5% off
251587443225029727
251587443225029727
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