New dude here, worried about my radiator

I have the 4 cylinder engine. Just googled it and florida doesn't have a 3 day buyers remorse law for used vehicles.

 

Seems like almost every one of the bad head gasket threads I've read says this is the common failure site. I've never seen an explanation.

 

You will still want to contact the dealer about the issue. They may be willing to check it to prevent negative reviews about a vehicle they sold being defective on the drive home after buying it.
If they are unwilling to check & fix it, take it to a reputable shop and have it checked. However, DO NOT drive it without refilling the radiator.
A good shop can quickly rule out the cap (cap pressure tester), or head gasket (compression gas test kit). But youll be SOL if you run it dry and cook it.
And since it is already puked out a bit of coolant, it would be a good idea to have it flushed and filled once the problem is corrected.

Welcome to TW by the way.

 

Should have let us know that in the op. You can now ignore most of this thread and start over. When you have a roblem always post as much vehicle info as you can. Sorry you're having an issue with your new truck and hope you get it sorted. and welcome

 

Ok I edited it, thanks for letting me know. Any new opinions based on that then?

 

Maybe ignore was the wrong choice of words. Myself and others were responding on what we know to be a common issue on 05/06 v6 truck. Leak down/compression test is still applicable advise. GL.

 

A lot of the same still applies, have the leak down tests and radiator cap test done. Document everything. Even if it's just writing it down on a price of paper with a date beside. Document day and time you called the dealer, and what was said. You really need to have the tests ran before anything else

 

Haha jinx!!

 

I don't think that applies when you go to a car dealer. The dealer could let you out of a contract, but by no means are they required to under federal laws. Note: Each state may have additional protections. I don't know.

https://www.edmunds.com/car-buying/unwinding-the-deal-what-are-your-rights.html

You might have heard there is a federal cooling-off rule for some purchases. There is such a rule, but it is primarily meant to protect consumers from high-pressure door-to-door sales tactics. It explicitly doesn't apply to automobiles. If you signed the sales contract, you own the car. And the law is on the side of the dealer.

https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0176-buyers-remorse-when-ftcs-cooling-rule-may-help

The FTC’s Cooling-Off Rule gives you a 3-day right to cancel a sale made at your home, workplace or dormitory, or at a seller’s temporary location, like a hotel or motel room, convention center, fairground or restaurant. It also applies when you invite a salesperson to make a presentation in your home. But not all sales are covered.

Exceptions to the Rule
Certain types of sales can’t be canceled, even if they take place in places normally covered by the Rule. The Cooling-Off Rule does not cover sales that are:

• under $25 for sales made at your home;
• under $130 for sales made at temporary locations;
• for goods or services not primarily intended for personal, family or household purposes. (The Rule applies to courses of instruction or training.);
• made entirely online, or by mail or telephone;
• the result of prior negotiations at the seller's permanent place of business where the goods are sold regularly;
• needed to meet an emergency;
• made as part of your request for the seller to do repairs or maintenance on your personal property (purchases made beyond the maintenance or repair request are covered).

Also exempt from the Cooling-Off Rule are sales that involve:

• real estate, insurance, or securities;
• automobiles, vans, trucks, or other motor vehicles sold at temporary locations if the seller has at least one permanent place of business;
• arts or crafts sold at fairs or places like shopping malls, civic centers, and schools.

 

Forget about compression and leakdown. The quickest way to confirm a head gasket failure is with a block testing kit like this one

 

How the heck does that work

 

Heckin science.

@Jimmyh Great info there. I specifically had to sign something that said I understood that there was no "cooling down" period when I bought my truck. That was a new one on me, and probably not required, just extra protection against folks with buyer's remorse coming back the next day and wanting their money back.

I know it's a hard thing to do with car dealers, but I try to start from a position of assuming positive intent. Knowing what Jimmy posted, you are starting at a disadvantage, and you catch more flies with honey than vinegar.

First, there may not be an issue -- it might have already been repaired, or there is some other explanation for the low fluid and milky residue. The tests mentioned can check for that, but if they used some kind of leak seal that is actually working temporarily, your results may be off.

Second, even if there is a problem, the dealer might have had no knowledge. Most of those guys are salesmen and not car experts. I had to explain to the salesman why I wanted my wife in a Limited 4Runner with the center diff -- he had absolutely no idea what I was talking about. I could explain it to him, but couldn't understand it for him.

Get the test done, and if it shows a problem, go in and talk to them about it and try to reach a reasonable resolution. Don't assume they knew or were trying to screw you over.

 

Fill it and run it with the cap off and see if you volcano.

 

Take it back NOW and make them fix it!

 

They sold you a damaged truck,make them fix it!