Pink Fluid Leak

After work today, I noticed my 2015 Tacoma was leaking a small amount of pink fluid under the passenger side of the engine. I’m having trouble locating where the leak is coming from but I’m thinking it’s either coolant or transmission fluid based on the color. It doesn’t seem to be leaking very bad, but I obviously want to get it taken care of ASAP. Anyone else ever have this issue?

 

Looks like coolant check your radiator peacock, and radiator plastic end tanks for leaks

 

I'd remove the front skid plate and inspect the water pump seal from the bottom, it's difficult to see with everything buttoned up, looking from the bottom is best. A tacoma water pump will typically seep a small amount through the weep hole but it dries almost as soon as it weeps out so it just builds up some pink crud around the hole. When it gets bad enough to drip it's ready for a new water pump. Might not be your issue but if it is the wp leaking it needs a new one.

 

I looks like it’s leaking from this spot on the driver side of the radiator

 

That hose is on the top corner and there’s another hose on the bottom corner below that’s either also leaking or is just getting hit from the leak above. The water pump seems to be okay, no pink crud. If that’s the case, is this something I can fix myself?

 

We don’t know your capabilities. Only you know what you can do.

 

Is this the 2.7L or 4.0L engine?

 

Pretty sure it's a 4.0.
It's a 4 door 2015 and he is running a Magnuson S/C.

 

I guess I missed the note about the supercharger but you could get the 2.7L in a double cab at least in some years.

 

I only know because he had issues in the past. And I replied to him. But it wasn’t for a leak.

Oddly enough, it was a MAF/IAT issue. (Sound familiar?)

 

Maybe.

Looks like there's enough recent fluid there (damp enough) that you can rub a bit on your fingers and smell it. Looks more likely to be coolant than transmission fluid. Coolant will be more "watery" and trans fluid a lot more "oily" to the touch. Coolant in good condition (as that appears to be, i.e. not rusty/brown) will tend to smell slightly sweet-ish, transmission fluid (which is hydraulic oil) won't.

You def. need basic mechanical skills and basic automotive know-how. E.g. don't open the radiator when it's warm or hot, disconnect the negative battery cable before doing anything extensive inside the engine bay. Know how to "burp" the coolant system after refilling whatever amount you may temporarily drain and/or that has already been permanently lost from leaks, so that you don't have an air bubble stuck in the cooling system.

Hard to say from just the one photo but it looks like it might be the large radiator hose leaking a bit near the clamp. Maybe the hose is gradually falling apart under clamp pressure there. Possibly just a new radiator hose might be all that's needed.

If it was mine I might try cleaning the area well with soapy & then plain water rinse, let it all dry completely, then maybe dust the suspected leak area lightly with cornstarch or talc, (keeping the powder away from moving parts like the serpentine belt, pulleys, etc.) Start the engine, let it run a bit & see if you can pinpoint the leaking area directly. Either as a trickle, or maybe just a slight dampening of the dusted area.

If the leak is around/under the large radiator hose, then proceed to draining out enough coolant to be able to remove the hose without spilling coolant everywhere. Then clean & carefully inspect the radiator port for cracks or pinholes. If it looks fine, inspect the inside edges of the radiator hose. If it shows any signs of wear/breakdown, replace it.

 

Does this happen on a regular monthly basis?

 

Sorry for the delayed reply - had to leave town for the weekend the next morning. Why I was scrambling a little bit. But yes, mine is a 4.0L with the supercharger. Took it into a mechanic who initially thought it was the radiator seal going bad so he threw some pressure through system and it didn’t create any more leakage anywhere. Since he didnt produce any leaking whatsoever with the added pressure he added new clamps to the hoses where I originally showed those leaks and then cleaned where all the coolant had leaked/stained. That was done this morning and I’ve driven the truck multiple times with no leaks thus so hopefully it was just the old loose hose clamps. Fingers crossed and thanks for all the help!

 

Nope, this was an isolated event.

 

I did have that issue in the past, I started with the simple solution first by cleaning of the sensor with MAF cleaner and it’s been good ever since. The sensor on that SC must’ve just been super sensitive.

 

In response to that MAF error - took my truck to get the undercarriage treated for the winter. Turns out the guy working there had previously working on my truck with the previous owner and ask if it would randomly throw up weird codes to which I said yes occasionally the p0113. He said that’s occurring cuz the previous owner had him install a Hewitt Tech air injector delete and that system causes that code to pop up cuz it piggy-backs off something else. I’m definitely not overly mechanically savvy so I basically asked if that’s gonna lead to another major issue, to which he said no just don’t move states cuz the truck will fail and emissions test. Luckily, the truck is for off-road use only….

 

FWIW, not the safest option, but a quick finger dip and taste test has always helped me….

coolant has a sweet taste and gear oil is unmistakable