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1996 Toyota Corolla oil in radiator / water pump leak

Tiny
ADHOCUSAGE
  • MEMBER
  • 1996 TOYOTA COROLLA
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 150,500 MILES
Hi

I am not a auto mechanic but want to learn. Therefore if what I write does not make full sense please bear with me.

96 Corolla was having oil in the radiator. Block testing of the engine was done and the color of the liquid did not change indicating it is not likely a Head Gasket leak. Earlier one mechanic suggested Blue Devil to fix the crack in radiator. I put the same; that did not help but now the water pump seems to be leaking and the coolant is going down a bit daily. Replaced the Radiator + Hoses (Radiator was found cracked) and the oil in the radiator seems to have disappeared. Now there is only coolant in the radiator.


I am planning to replace the water pump ; But if there is no oil in the radiator can I safely assume there is no head gasket leak? I have already spent a fortune on this
vehicle.

Thanks
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Saturday, January 19th, 2008 AT 12:50 AM

6 Replies

Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
You've did the block test-didn't show a yellow fluid that means it doesn't have a combustion gas leakage. However if you wanna relax your mind-you can try pressure testing it.

My assessment is go ahead and replace the water pump while you at it change the thermostat too. Clean out the reservoir bottle-mix your coolant properly and go for the ride-observe temperature gauge.

Also check the transmission fluid level and color.

TYVM for the donation-you have nice weekend.
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Monday, July 27th, 2020 AT 4:42 PM
Tiny
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Thanks for the suggestion. Have a nice weekend.
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Monday, July 27th, 2020 AT 4:42 PM
Tiny
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Other Category problem
1996 Toyota Corolla 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 150500 miles

Hi

I am not a auto mechanic but want to learn. Therefore if what I write does not make full sense please bear with me.

96 Corolla was having oil in the radiator. Block testing of the engine was done and the color of the liquid did not change indicating it is not likely a Head Gasket leak. Earlier one mechanic suggested Blue Devil to fix the crack in radiator. I put the same; that did not help but now the water pump seems to be leaking and the coolant is going down a bit daily. Replaced the Radiator + Hoses (Radiator was found cracked) and the oil in the radiator seems to have disappeared. Now there is only coolant in the radiator.

I am planning to replace the water pump ; But if there is no oil in the radiator can I safely assume there is no head gasket leak? I have already spent a fortune on this
vehicle.

Thanks

I have not driven this vehicle much since, but now I am finding the radiator empty and the coolant draining. I will be getting the water pump replaced within the next few days. This never happened prior to the water pump leaking in the last few days (i can see the water mixed with coolant dripping once I stop the vehicle). For now I have added some more coolant and I know that is not going to solve the problem. Will atleast enable me to drive till the mechanic shop. My question is, 1. Is it normal for the radiator to be empty? The thermostat should go up. Correct? Sorry if this question sounds trivial. As mentioned earlier I look forward to learning.

PS: the good news is that, prior to the water pump problem (after the radiator was replaced), I did not see any oil in the radiator. My other question is 2. Was the earlier oil in the radiator possibly transmission oil and if so would I need to do both transmission flush + service?

Would appreciate if experts can shed some light here. My thanks to 2carpros webmaster/host.
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Monday, July 27th, 2020 AT 4:42 PM
Tiny
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Its possible that the oil came from the transmission cooler before the radiator was replaced. You need to have it flush out-the tranny fluid did it look pinkish color?
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Monday, July 27th, 2020 AT 4:42 PM
Tiny
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I have not driven this vehicle much since, but now I am finding the radiator empty and the coolant draining. I will be getting the water pump replaced within the next few days. This never happened prior to the water pump leaking in the last few days (i can see the water mixed with coolant dripping once I stop the vehicle). For now I have added some more coolant and I know that is not going to solve the problem. Will atleast enable me to drive till the mechanic shop. My question is, 1. Is it normal for the radiator to be empty? The thermostat should go up. Correct? Sorry if this question sounds trivial. As mentioned earlier I look forward to learning.

PS: the good news is that, prior to the water pump problem (after the radiator was replaced), I did not see any oil in the radiator. My other question is 2. Was the earlier oil in the radiator possibly transmission oil and if so would I need to do both transmission flush + service?

Would appreciate if experts can shed some light here. My thanks to 2carpros webmaster/host.[/Quote:3b4ef392e1]

Can anyone answer my first question.

Thanks
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Monday, July 27th, 2020 AT 4:42 PM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
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1. Is it normal for the radiator to be empty? The thermostat should go up. Correct? Sorry if this question sounds trivial. As mentioned earlier I look forward to learning.

To answer this: You got an actual coolant leak coming from a leaking water pump and of course its gonna lose coolant.

Am beginning to think! You have another problem other than the water pump-Why don't you get it block and pressure tested to confirm that there's no combustion gas leaking into the cooling system-this problem will cause to gradually empty out the radiator-bcuz its being burn in the combustion chamber- When you start the vehicle up do you see white smoke out of the exhaust pipe?
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Monday, July 27th, 2020 AT 4:42 PM

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