Need help not sure whats going on !!!!!!

Hello all

I have an 02 SR5 2wheel drive with 288k miles I got it from a friend 2 years ago . I changed the oil last week I run full synthetic since I bought it. Started to work yesterday and notced steam so i turned around about 1/4 mile from my house. I checked the water level it was low I fill then noticed a crack. I pulled the top hose to start removing the radiator the water was dark bown as if it had oil in it. BTW : It wasnt running hot temp gauge did show that any way. I pulled thr oil dip stick and the oil looked new like it should so I dont know what to do .I thought it may be an head gasket but the oil is fine. Please if anyone could help me with ideas that would be great . Thank you

 

Run a Co2 test and then I would guess pink milk shake maybe

 

I pulled the plug on the transmission to see if it could be transmission fluid because they both look similar . No water in the transmission. Is it possible that the fluid is just old and dirty ?

 

What color was the transmission fluid? The following link is what Ol'Blue is alluding to.

 

1. start by addressing the "crack" in your radiator.
2. drain, flush, and refill your radiator.
3. if problem no longer exists, call it a day.

My best guess is you dripped oil on the exhaust and upon rise in temps it began burning off. (creating steam/smoke)
Your radiator just happened to be low as well.

 

I'm sure you have this fixed by now, but if not: you don't have oil in for radiator. When oil and water mix...it tunes into a nasty yellow sludge looking stuff that sticks! And when transmission fluid gets into your radiator, it turns into a pinkish red mess: hence the name "Pink Milkshake"!

It's probably brown because no one has ever serviced it. Who knows, might be the original antifreeze?? If you have a cracked radiator, replace it...do an engine flush and then refill with Toyota brand antifreeze...it's red in color. It's more expensive, but your Toyota will be much more happy!

Good luck Sir.