Overheating for 2nd time

No heat means very low coolant. The thermostat has nothing to do with it, the heater pulls from the engine side of the loop, not the radiator side.

Running and overheating without coolant is usually extremely hard on an engine. Now that it has happened 2x, I would demand a cylinder leak down test and a test of the coolant. I'd also ask for the 125k warranty.

Anytime you have no heat, you should stop and check coolant immediately!!

 

That is my thinking too, wonder if it's in a slight bind causing it to fracture in the same spot.

 

Did you buy your truck in Lynn?

 

Yup, Atlantic Toyota. Not as cheap as Boch but they are much closer to where I live for shit like this. I live on the water and the tech saw sand up underneath. Said I was 4 wheeling....I'm like dude, I live in Winthrop on the beach...have you watched the news with 4 day noreaster and another one today? I was shoveling sand out of the backyard and driveway for two days. Brought the Taco to the car wash 4 times...trying to say I cracked a radiator 4 wheeling....full of shit.

 

Looks like you got racked up in the front from your avatar. Did you get a new radiator?

 

Why would it matter if you were 4 wheeling? Unless they can see surrounding structural damage they have nothing. The the fucker says off-road on the side right? Their own marketing department liked to show the thing burried to its fucking axles in sand.

 

Typical Crap dealer move. Trying to blame something breaking because of off roading

 

Ok. I want to thank everyone for the suggestions.

I went by the dealership today and grabbed a sample of antifreeze and will have it tested for exhaust gases. The new radiator wont be here until Friday.

I called Toyota Corporate last night and filed a grievance. I want to the 125,000 warranty for free. I paid for the 100k already and want the extra 25k.

Waiting to hear back.

 

Ok, you guys are not going to believe this. The new radiator is leaking. Thats right. The third radiator is now leaking! I came to pick up my truck at 4 and they told me the new one was leaking while the truck was parked. They have to order another one. Obviously Toyota is having a problem. Now with the snow storm bearing down I wont have the truck back till Wed. Hopefully the gay highlander can handle 18” of snow.

I asked for the second radiator to take a pic and post here. So 20 minutes later the parts guy comes up with the second radiator. There is no visible crack. Only maroon color rusty mark passenger side right. That antifreeze steamed away! I didnt even smell it and didnt notice a problem until the truck overheated.

If there is anyone here loosing antifreeze in the 3rd gen and you cant find any leakage or the source? Its quite possible theres a leak on the seam where the aluminum fin is attached to the plastic. I dont know if its welded plastic or expoxied.

I asked the service manager to pressure test the new radiator when it comes before it goes in. I also will ask for the second radiator so i can cut it apart and look as to why.

This is bullshit and Im sure this is a vendor that is making the part for Toyota but come on man make it right!

 

They also need to check for stray voltage in the coolant. You may have an electrolysis issue.

 

I would go to a different dealer. Something is not right and someone is missing something. At this point you hate them and they most likely don't want to deal with you, and I am not saying you did something to deserve this but I would vote for a change of scenery.

 

There is nothing worse than a gay Highlander. Good luck to you OP

 

Closer pic of the red crusties.

 

^^^THIS^^^

and

vvv THAT vvv

http://www.ve-labs.net/electrolysis-101/how-to-test

 

But atleast it isn't overheating. YET!

 

woah, is this really a thing? How would the radiator be getting charged?

 

Steal the one from the Highlander and put it on yours. Solved.

 

I'm offended at your characterization of my Highlander.

It's an '04 with 120k, still comfortable and still sees mid 20's on road trips.

Everything works and other than a dead battery it's never left me stranded.

I'd say that's better than your 35k wonder truck has been so far.


Not really offended, I could care less what people think of my Highlander. After all, I drive a 5 lug Tacoma.


Anyway, hope they get it figured out for you.

 

Maybe your truck is the "gay one" and overheating because it feels excited when you sit in it;-)
But seriously, who in 2018 calls the cars gay????

 

Interested to see how this turns out. Subscribed.