Changed the oil today and noticed some lovely dried pink residue at the upper radiator hose where it meets the radiator with a little bit that had gone down the fan shroud.

I have had no overheating issues, no noise from the water pump or belts. The residue is only at the upper connection to the radiator. None at the radiator cap, manifold, water pump, lower points, or anywhere around the overflow reservoir.
The level is right at the full line and perfectly pink. No contamination and the overflow tank is super clean.
I presume the coolant was changed at some point prior to my purchase as it is super clean and I just rolled 90k miles.

I cleaned it up, moved the hose around to make sure it was secure. Ran the truck for awhile, cycling heat and air. Drove the truck as normal and no more coolant.

Anything else I should be looking for or did I just have some sort of fluke coolant burp?

Very common in cooler months to develop a cold water leak. Usually just a snug of the hose clamp cures it.

Could be plastic fatigue on the radiator. Top inlet cracked

quote:

Originally posted by oldbill123:
Could be plastic fatigue on the radiator. Top inlet cracked

This. You can have a leak at that location for quite a while, until it catastrophically fails. It usually cracks where the molded in fitting for the upper radiator hose meets the side tank.

My 02 Grand Cherokee had something very similar occur. I had coolant smells after driving. No drips on pavement. A tiny bit of coolant residue at the top of the radiator and here and there on the front of the motor. No overheating issues. Upper radiator hose was firm, not at all mushy. Turned out to be a hairline crack in the plastic radiator top housing.

Thankfully I do not believe it is cracked.

quote:

Originally posted by Black92LX:
Thankfully I do not believe it is cracked.

I didn’t think mine was either. The only way to know for sure where it’s coming from is a pressure test.

quote:

Originally posted by gearhounds:

quote:

Originally posted by Black92LX:
Thankfully I do not believe it is cracked.

I didn’t think mine was either. The only way to know for sure where it’s coming from is a pressure test.

Joy!
Off to research how to do a coolant system pressure test and who makes an aluminum radiator for Tundras.

Pressure testing kit
I have an older version of the above. many different brand adapters work on it as well. i only needed an extra late model BMW one, to help someone out. the toyota adapter it came with has worked, but again not sure model/year compatibility. thankfully my sad desire to keep old benz's working has had this tool get pulled out on occassion. its pretty easy to use, and with enough PSI the "leak" wont be hard to find.
hope its nothing or a hose/crimp!
oh and you know your cars...but yeah do it cold.