Alyx

Hello all, I am new to this forum, and I do not know anything about cars or the mechanics of a car. I have had a leak in my 1999 Toyota 4 runner, and i brought it to my mechanic, he said that he was sure it was a leaky radiator. I had it replaced just this past Thursday. Friday afternoon, I had to pull into a gas station and pour in a whole new gallon/jug of coolant/antifreeze.

Every once in a while, I hear what sounds like a running creek behind my dash. Is this normal? I have heard about a heater core, could this be the problem? How much would it cost to fix at a mechanic? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

wyoming9

iTrader: (1)

Do you smell antifreeze in your 4runner all the time??

Are the carpets wet or damp even when your not tracking water in??

Replacing a heater core is very labor intensive the cost would depend on the labor rate.

What lead the mechanic to think the radiator was the problem??

Loose hose causing the leak now??

HappyCamper

that's a lot of coolant! if not leaking then could be burning; is your exhaust white? did you check your hoses? check your coolant frequently and keep premixed coolant with you until you solve the problem and don't take any long road trips because you do *not* want to run your motor with low coolant.

Alyx

Wyoming9- No, I do not smell anything. No, the carpets are not damp or wet at all. The mechanic did some diagnostic test, and he said there was a crack in the top of my radiator and that was what was causing it. Would a person have to add a bottle of coolant one day after replacing the radiator? Like I said, I dont know much if anything about cars.

HappyCamper- When it is cold out yes, my exhaust is white, when it is warmer out, I do not see any exhaust. I have not taken any long road trips, just 2 miles to work and 2 miles home from work. I work at a convenience store, so I can grab a bottle when needed. Before the radiator was replaced, I went through a bottle every week or so. When I got my car from the shop, I did drive to framingham, ma and back, which is about 38 miles one way. That was the longest trip my car took since "fixed". I think I see a drip coming from the bottom of the truck, towards the front like under the hood area.

Thank you both for your responses, it is greatly appreciated. Happy Easter and or Passover to you.

wyoming9

iTrader: (1)

Just where are you adding the coolant ??

To the over flow tank??

The level in the radiator itself is dropping this much??

One of those things one needs to see in person.

Bad radiator cap or it is pushing out the over flow.

Try and see where it is coming from is your best bet.

Alyx

Wyoming9-
I pour it into the radiator and the overflow tank. Then it is gone in three to four days.

wyoming9

iTrader: (1)

It might be that one of the radiator hoses has a slight leak .

From a loose clamp.

perhaps a piece of cardboard under the front when parked if that is practical .
Have you talked to the mechanic that installed the new radiator I am sure having that done was not cheap..

fierohink

Let me try to understand your leak. You had a new radiator installed. Then after driving it you had to add a gallon if coolant, right?

That by itself isn't entirely shocking if the mechanic didn't follow a good refill and burping technique.

After that first refill, have you had to add more coolant? If yes, then it has to be going somewhere. Either out a hole, a bad clamp, a bad hose, a heater core, etc. or it is being burned by the motor which is another problem altogether.