Notices
86-95 Trucks & 4Runners 2nd/3rd gen pickups, and 1st/2nd gen 4Runners with IFS

'88 4Runner coolant leak.

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 11-10-2012, 10:47 PM
  #1  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
4rAndy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
'88 4Runner coolant leak.

I have a leak somewhere on the inlet where the thermostat resides. I thought that it may have been the thermostat gasket and/or the thermostat itself so i went ahead and replaced those along with new hoses, a new radiator cap (which was all busted), and a couple new belts for the hell of it. So after putting everything back together and adding new coolant...it's still leaking in the exact same place. There seems to be something that the dome shaped inlet is bolted onto and that piece looks like it may be bonded onto the engine block with some sort of orange glue and 2 bolts of its own besides the 3 for the dome piece. I removed those 2 bolts and tried to remove the bottom piece but it wouldn't budge. It appears that the leak is coming from somewhere in that area. It's a slow leak usually, but when the engine got hot the coolant seemed to all dump out really fast, but that was before i replaced the parts and i haven't run it till hot yet. I need to know if that piece has some sort of gasket glue that may have just gotten old and is leaking, or is there a crack that may be there? Is it possible to remove that piece? Thanks for any help.
Old 11-10-2012, 10:57 PM
  #2  
Super Moderator
Staff
iTrader: (1)
 
Terrys87's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Anderson Missouri
Posts: 11,788
Likes: 0
Received 21 Likes on 19 Posts
I looked at it and am guessing this is a 3.0 motor and am not familiar with the 3.0. If it is a 22re another angle on the pic would help.
Old 11-10-2012, 11:42 PM
  #3  
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
 
b4wheeler's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Pasadena, Md
Posts: 239
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
If it is leaking from the spot you ircled, you are going to have to pull the front of the engine and replace the water pump. That is what you see leaking. If you are in that deep you might as well do the timing belt and look at all the other pulleys while you are there....
Old 11-13-2012, 04:37 PM
  #4  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
4rAndy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks for the replies. I agree that it must be coming from behind the plate piece that covers the timing belt, but i seem to be having a problem. There is a bolt that is in the way and i can't pull the plate over the outlet. Is this bolt supposed to be removable? I can't seem to pull it/twist it out with pliers and I'm afraid of breaking it. The only other way i can see to remove the plate is to drill a cutout in the plate so i can pass it over the bolt....and then i guess later patch it up. Thanks for help.
Old 11-13-2012, 05:14 PM
  #5  
Contributing Member
 
rworegon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Columbia River Gorge, Oregon...east side
Posts: 5,125
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
You are looking at the end of the IDLER SUB-ASSY, TIMING BELT, NO.2....that stud should be removable. When was your last timing belt. etc. change done?

http://www.utoyot8.com/Picture.aspx?...ccode=&ppName=

http://www.toyotapartseast.com/Page_...VAID=3569,3570

Last edited by rworegon; 11-13-2012 at 05:23 PM.
Old 11-14-2012, 03:52 PM
  #6  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
4rAndy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I've had the truck since 2002 and I've never changed it out. I'm not sure when it was done before i got it. Do you think a pair of vice grips would get that bolt out?
Old 11-14-2012, 04:03 PM
  #7  
Contributing Member
 
rworegon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Columbia River Gorge, Oregon...east side
Posts: 5,125
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Soak it good with PB Blaster or another good penetrating oil. I'd double nut the stud with the nuts lined up and slip a wrench down to the lower nut and loosen it from there. Vice grips always seem to cause me grief.

If you've put 90k miles on it since '02 and without prior records, you are really at the point of replacing the timing belt, idler pulleys, water pump, etc. That idler and the water pump may both very well be leaking now.
Old 11-15-2012, 10:14 AM
  #8  
Registered User
 
jreyes94's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Oregon
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by 4rAndy
Thanks for the replies. I agree that it must be coming from behind the plate piece that covers the timing belt, but i seem to be having a problem. There is a bolt that is in the way and i can't pull the plate over the outlet. Is this bolt supposed to be removable? I can't seem to pull it/twist it out with pliers and I'm afraid of breaking it. The only other way i can see to remove the plate is to drill a cutout in the plate so i can pass it over the bolt....and then i guess later patch it up. Thanks for help.
i just did my timing belt last week. i cant remember for sure but you can use a 5/16 (i think) socket on it. a really small socket. i used sockets to remove/install those studs and i cleaned them with wd40 and a wire brush.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Sleaker
86-95 Trucks & 4Runners
17
08-26-2020 06:03 AM
Colington
86-95 Trucks & 4Runners
20
03-08-2020 09:51 AM
Poncho0206
95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners
3
07-10-2015 06:21 PM
horunner1x
86-95 Trucks & 4Runners
10
07-10-2015 06:33 AM
Avenged
95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners
4
07-09-2015 07:55 AM



Quick Reply: '88 4Runner coolant leak.



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 10:16 AM.