PA to CA Journey - New Orleans, LA, Started to have concerns ~300mi ago; "stuck" in NoLA Options

[MAGutz]

First thing's first: Thank you. This website has given me everything that I have ever needed when it comes to my 6GC (of which I've unfortunately, or fortunately!, owned four of).

Secondly, if you're available and in the area, your help could potentially be the most valuable! Seeing problems in person make solving them nearly trivial.

Thirdly, and lastly, my situation:

**NOTE** I've had an "issue" with my car during startup; engine SOMETIMES runs at low RPMs (100-200) until put in drive and accelerated quickly. Sounds like the engine can't breath and the throttle plate isn't opening fully. Also aware of small oil leak; levels still good after driving 2,000 miles.

Roughly three hundred (300) miles ago, I pulled up to a gas station in Mississippi and found myself waiting a moment as all the pumps were currently in use. I decided to put my vehicle in park, as well as turn off the A/C, and suddenly my car turned off. Tried to start her up again instantaneously after, but to no avail. Went inside, bought some gas, filled her up, and waited a moment. When I checked underneath my car, some water was dripping from around the front passenger axle, but no other sorts of fluids. Three hundred miles later, got to New Orleans and took a look at my engine. I was able to diagnose that there was a problem with my radiator as one, I had oil in my coolant, and two, my coolant levels had to be replenished (1L per 120mi). I took her to a local mechanic that I was referred to and their diagnosis and solution was "needs a radiator, thermostat, cooling hoses and system flush." All good there, but when it came to how much it all was going to cost, I questioned the over $600.00 that I was going to be charged for JUST the radiator (excluding labor and other necessary replacements). So now I'm here asking you all for some advice/help.

My next destination is Austin, TX (500 miles away) and there I can actually work on my car with my father, another self-taught mechanic, and give her some real TLC. My plan was to order some OEM parts from PartzNet, flush the system with distilled water, install a new radiator, cap, hoses and thermostat, then drive to Austin. Suggestions? Comments or concerns? What would YOU do in this scenario?

[Tigawoods]

I had oil in my coolant

Thats not good.

Do you have coolant in your engine oil?

$600 doesnt sound too far-fetched for all that cooling work.

[MAGutz]

Do you have coolant in your engine oil?

Not any that I can see. *thumbs up*

$600 doesnt sound too far-fetched for all that cooling work.

It was $600 for only the radiator. Total cost for what they originally going to do was $2,000. They reduced it to $1,500 for replacing the radiator hoses, radiator cap, thermostat, radiator, and system flush.

[mkernz22]

I had oil in my coolant

Thats not good.

Do you have coolant in your engine oil?

$600 doesnt sound too far-fetched for all that cooling work.

I questioned the over $600.00 that I was going to be charged for JUST the radiator (excluding labor and other necessary replacements)

[Tigawoods]

yeah definitely DIY there. I would never pay that much for that work.

Buy a bunch of distilled water (enough for 500 miles) and just keep topping it off every 120miles or so.
Then when you get to Austin, fix her up.

I cant really comment on the other issue though, not sure what that could be off the top of my head

[Smaay]

the water you saw was condensation coming off the AC compressor. its common

[Box]

I would check the IACV for the idle issue, next guess would be the TPS or MAP sensor and check for vacuum leaks. If you don't have milky oil or white smoke out the exhaust it's possible the oil in the cooling system is actually sludge build up. Either way would look into doing a cooling system flush and then throw in a new thermostat and fresh coolant and distilled water. Oh I just had a thought, you said something about putting it into drive so I guess it's an automatic? If so I'd check the transmission fluid and make sure it's not contaminated, since automatics send their fluid through the radiator.

[MAGutz]

Thank you for all the feedback, fam. I went and checked all my fluids again and here's where I'm at:

**NOTE** I use Toyota RED Coolant and refilled with mostly all coolant (~1L) when I last replenished the radiator.

--Engine Oil: Sexy. Levels are higher than expected, especially with the known oil leak. After driving 2k miles, I couldn't ask for much else. No signs of red coloration.
--Transmission Fluid (AT): Decent. Dirtier than the engine oil, but not low (if anything, there's too much) and no signs of red coloration.
--Radiator Coolant: Good. After driving 1hr48mins at 60-65mph, I can actually see fluids when removing the radiator cap. No signs of leakage anywhere from the radiator and hoses.

Question: Would you be okay driving 500mi and replenishing your radiator as Tigawoods mentioned? I'm definitely going to do a coolant system flush and possibly brand new AT fluid, but now I'm thinking I can just wait to replace the radiator.

Again, thank you.