90_4x4

So in the past week I have had to add over a gallon of antifreeze to my radiator and it keeps disappearing but I have no leak of any kind. Unless its internal. No oil in coolant and I'm not blowing any kind of smoke either. Any idea of where my coolant may be going? I'll be changing the plugs here in he next couple weeks so I'll do a compression check at the same time. What is considered a good compression range per cylinder for a 3VZE???

Keith B.

If you place the type of truck you have in your signature, more folks might be willing to help.

I'd pull the plugs and see if there's anything strange looking(coolant) sticking to them.

eric924run

sorry, when you buy the plugs you should also buy a head gasket set.

LittleBeast

your engine is burning coolant , time for an overhaul

90_4x4

Great.......

BMcEL

Jump to conclusions much?

I would start by replacing the radiator cap with OEM. It's probably spitting coolant into the overflow tank but the cap isn't air tight, preventing a vacuum from forming when it cools down. This vacuum is what pulls the coolant from the overflow back into the radiator.

bmcghie

Didja check where the coolant return line comes out of the block? Mine has a small leak through the RTV that only drips when driving...

Also, do you have rear heat in your 4runner? If so, check those coolant lines under the truck. They are right in the middle, just beside the transfer case I believe.

Finally... I dunno how fast this one leaks, but there is a ****ing tiny little upside down U shaped hose behind the intake plenum on the 3VZE. It LOOOVES to develop pinhole leaks and piss coolant away at a not-so-negligible rate. Bitch to change but it can be done without removing the plenum.

Check those out, and let us know if that narrows it down!

BMcEL

LittleBeast

Did you check all the sparkplugs? Is the coolant in green? well it should be. Anyways if its using coolant through a internal leak of some sort for example a bad head gasket, you might see a light green color on the plugs? Where else could it be going? if it aint leaking anywere? its using it somwhere else, other then decorating your parking space.

rworegon

FYI, Totota OEM coolant is RED, not green .

LittleBeast

waahht oem mabe but i doubt hes going to the dealer for a gallon of coolant every week.

BMcEL

When the overflow is full, it spits out what it can't hold. This usually occurs while driving so you wouldn't notice it on the ground when parked.

Replace that radiator cap!

rworegon

Nah, he only goes for coolant every other week since a gallon of Toyota Red gives him two gallons of mix. Green or red, he needs to track down the problem(s).

rworegon

And, check the overflow tank for cracks.

LittleBeast

Ok ,check the reserve or overflow containment unit. That little plastic container towards the front when you open the hood its on your right side look in there w a flashlight check for frogs. if they are swimming or one jumps out you is good!

BMcEL

Also check that the hose hanging in the overflow isn't clogged...if it is it will just spit the coolant out instead of into the tank.

90_4x4

I went and pulled the overflow tank and cleaned it and blew out the hoses and rinsed them out as well everything looked ok. Rinsed it all out filled it back up. I'll replace the cap next week. Pulling plugs tomorrow morning.

rworegon

Have you checked the water pump? Take a careful look around the engine at the head/block interface for any coolant crusties especially right after you kill the engine....it may be seeping someplace only when it's hot and cooking or blowing off making it hard to find.

How does the oil look?

90_4x4

Pulled the plugs today and holy crap they where the nastiest plugs I have ever seen... Compression was between 145psi and 150psi in every cylinder

LittleBeast

sounds like your on the right track.