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Need help not sure whats going on !!!!!!

Discussion in '3rd Gen 4Runners (1996-2002)' started by wcm71, Apr 15, 2016.

  1. Apr 15, 2016 at 12:11 PM
    #1
    wcm71

    #1
    wcm71 [OP] New Member

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    William
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    Hello all

    I have an 02 SR5 2wheel drive with 288k miles I got it from a friend 2 years ago . I changed the oil last week I run full synthetic since I bought it. Started to work yesterday and notced steam so i turned around about 1/4 mile from my house. I checked the water level it was low I fill then noticed a crack. I pulled the top hose to start removing the radiator the water was dark bown as if it had oil in it. BTW : It wasnt running hot temp gauge did show that any way. I pulled thr oil dip stick and the oil looked new like it should so I dont know what to do .I thought it may be an head gasket but the oil is fine. Please if anyone could help me with ideas that would be great . Thank you
     
    wcm71, Apr 15, 2016
    #1
  2. Apr 15, 2016 at 2:15 PM
    #2
    Ol'Blue

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    Ol'Blue New Member

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    "Not all who wander are lost"
    Vehicle:
    99 T4R LTD- 33's and locked, 01 SR5-,SAS Sold...
    A few things here and there. Still dreaming up stuff
    Run a Co2 test and then I would guess pink milk shake maybe
     
    Ol'Blue, Apr 15, 2016
    #2
  3. Apr 15, 2016 at 5:49 PM
    #3
    wcm71

    #3
    wcm71 [OP] New Member

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    I pulled the plug on the transmission to see if it could be transmission fluid because they both look similar . No water in the transmission. Is it possible that the fluid is just old and dirty ?
     
    wcm71, Apr 15, 2016
    #3
  4. Apr 19, 2016 at 7:37 AM
    #4
    irishfury

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    irishfury New Member

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    What color was the transmission fluid? The following link is what Ol'Blue is alluding to.
     
    irishfury, Apr 19, 2016
    #4
  5. Apr 25, 2016 at 2:22 PM
    #5
    Trailerparksuperstar

    #5
    Trailerparksuperstar New Member

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    1. start by addressing the "crack" in your radiator.
    2. drain, flush, and refill your radiator.
    3. if problem no longer exists, call it a day.

    My best guess is you dripped oil on the exhaust and upon rise in temps it began burning off. (creating steam/smoke)
    Your radiator just happened to be low as well.
     
    Trailerparksuperstar, Apr 25, 2016
    #5
  6. May 19, 2016 at 2:23 AM
    #6
    RussToy

    #6
    RussToy New Member

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    Russel Lee
    Granville Ohio
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    A Work in Progress
    I'm sure you have this fixed by now, but if not: you don't have oil in for radiator. When oil and water mix...it tunes into a nasty yellow sludge looking stuff that sticks! And when transmission fluid gets into your radiator, it turns into a pinkish red mess: hence the name "Pink Milkshake"!

    It's probably brown because no one has ever serviced it. Who knows, might be the original antifreeze?? If you have a cracked radiator, replace it...do an engine flush and then refill with Toyota brand antifreeze...it's red in color. It's more expensive, but your Toyota will be much more happy!

    Good luck Sir.
     
    RussToy, May 19, 2016
    #6
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