kford

This morning I was driving to school w/ the AC on and noticed probably about an ounce (not much) of antifreeze on my passenger side husky liner. Anybody have any ideas? I couldn't re-create it w/ the AC on this afternoon, and I haven't used the heater in months. My radiator/cooling system in general has always had issues (on my 7th or 8th radiator) and my car EATS coolant, and my dealership AS WELL AS TOYOTA TECHNICIANS have no idea why. (Yes, my dealership had no clue and was tired of paying for radiators, since they couldn't fix it, so they shipped the car to a special toyota team and even they couldn't figure it out). So anyway, this has never happend before, so anyone got some ideas?

I'll post any updates, I'm about to take the dash apart around the glove compartment, i'll check back in.

thanks

NX Tacoma

Could it be the heater core under the dash? Its what heats the truck in side the cab .That happened to my once, but it was in a Chevy. Just an idea?!

kford

yeah that's what I was thinking, and if so, I'm going to take it in. I took everything apart and there's no way I'm messing with the heater core- the big black box had wires and things running all over the place.

NX Tacoma

Thats it! It a mess under their, let then do it!!

kford

BUMP

It's starting to do it every time i use my AC for more than 5 minutes now, that is, leaking into the front passenger husky liner. So now I have to take it in for sure, but before they start hackign away at my heater core and everything, does ANYONE PLEASE have any ideas of what it could be, because I think i'm just going to go to the dealership and so they're just going to replace everything i'm sure, without asking me, and then bill me.
thanks.
kearney

radrex

First - you can do some creative rerouting to bypass the heater core. Of course your heater will not work anymore. But at least you can see if that ends your coolant leakage problem.

Then you can take your time getting your Heater Core replaced.

SLC Punk

Also, check the hoses going to the core. Make sure they are clamped down and are in good shape. I am thinking it is the heater core though.

My99

Maybe a dumb question (mine are a lot of the time ) but are you sure it's coolant, and not just water from condensation build up?

User 051420

This same exact thing happened to my mom's '97 Jimmy. The heater core blew, and so did the coolant.

$600 later the heat was back and the car smelled like coolant till the day she sold it.

Be sure to clean up the mess as it happens, of you'll have one hell of a tough stain/stench to clean up!

AverysDad

my thoughts too............seems weird that the heater core would leak only with the A/C on...

theres a tube form the evap core(A/C) that routes condensation to the outside underneath of the truck.......with the A/C on check the outside and see if yours is dripping water to the outside (there will most likely be a small puddle)

if not it probably blocked and leaking to the inside

User 051420

Your 4runner should have the Yota Red coolant. Is it? It should be somewhat slippery and has a sweet smell...I'm sure you've already itentified it as being coolant...

Just the fan being on is enough to expel the coolant...it would leak even if both heat and ac were off in the Jimmy.

Mad Chemist

I'm going to ditto what everybody else said, definitely the heater core or heater core related problems. That's the only thing carrying coolant that close to the cab to cause problems. Typically they're a biatch to work on because you have to pull back the carpet to get to the two hoses running through the firewall of the vehicle, and in the engine bay its in the most inconvenient place possible. It should look like a little mini radiator once you get the shielding off it. It helps having one person in the car, one outside.

kford

I think i know the difference between coolant and water, lol. Yeah, the A/C is emitting water through the tube sticking out of the firewall as usual. Luckily it just drips onto my husky, so everyday i just clean it up. There are simply way too many bolts and such in the way to work on it myslef. I checked all the hoses and everything I could, after tearing apart the dash and glove box and all that. I've worked a lot behidn the dash and on the interior of the car but this one looks like a job for the dealer 'preciate the help, I'm almost pos. it's the heater core though. And I'm running green coolant because a) it works the same and b) i have to replace coolant all the time, see above explanation, and this is all that most places sell. there's nothing wrong with it.