Is this considered a radiator leak?

I don’t see any coolant hitting the ground, but I do see bits of coolant under the top of the radiator as you can see in the picture. The radiator is still original. Probably need replacement?

 

Looks like it might have a small leak over time since the coolant is bundled up like that, and not dripping down. Replacing the radiator isn't a bad idea considering it's 17 years old. Preventative maintenance is better than it blowing up on some rural road someday!

 

I would monitor the leak for all you know the crust that formed on the outside sealed the radiator and top off the overflow to the max level with extra long life Toyota coolant

 

Clean the crust off. Keep a close eye on it then you should know for sure?

 

You might just keep an eye on your coolant level in the radiator and on the leak itself. Doesn't look terrible. Don't get a radiator flush or anything like that because then it will leak.

 

Replace the radiator now. It won’t hold the correct pressure and that creates havoc with cooling. The job isn’t bad if you want to do it yourself. Don’t wait for a small problem to become a big one at the worst possible moment.

 

If the seam is letting go the intercooler for the trans may right along directly. Not a good surprise.

Bite the bullet and get a mishimoto or champion all aluminum.

 

Probably a good time to replace, at least you got a warning before something worse.

 

Just use this

 

Yes it’s a leak. Buy a new Denso from Rock Auto

 

If it wasn’t for me smelling coolant and doing my monthly under the hood checks, I wouldn’t have known. My radiator and hoses is getting replaced at the dealer tomorrow. I believe in OEM parts, I know Denso works too. It’ll be below $800 for parts and labor. Based on the levels it seems to just be a small leak. I had it topped off and cleaned it before but the pink crust comes back a couple of days later like that. It’s definitely not hitting the ground though.

 

Replaced! I had to clean the bay since coolant spilled in some places and of course I smelled it. Maybe that’s evidence they bled the system out. I hooked up my OBD to monitor coolant temps and it was between 192-197. Never had issues with coolant temps but just wanted to check.

 

Good catch, most people never look under the hood!