yotamudder

I have a leak from these obviously rusty lines. What are they? And how much would it be to replace them? Thanks!
~Rox

rworegon

Details about year, model, engine, etc.? Have you followed where those lines go to?

yotamudder

It's a 1997 4Runner with a 3.4 V6. I followed it up into the engine bay (first pic) and back to where it goes into rubber hoses inside of the body. I was replacing the oxygen sensors when those lines started leaking. No clue what they are. I'm trying to learn as I go. Thanks!
~Rox

yotamudder

Oh and these are on the passenger side.

rworegon

Rear heater water lines from here.

The pipes in the picture on the left above tie into the heater control coolant lines, correct? A wider shot of the pic would be good.

yotamudder

I took more pictures, but I am pretty sure it is the water line. What does that do? Sorry for all the questions my mom used to be my go to person but she passed away. Thanks for all your help!

rworegon

Those are the feed and return lines for hot coolant to the rear heater. Without them you would have no rear heat, which I imagine you would want in Wisconsin during winter.

Both lines come as a set. The tough thing will the getting the rusty bolts loose. A penetrating oil like PB Blaster will be your friend.

If those metal lines are leaking, it could cause you to loose all your engine coolant. Not a good thing.
So, if they are leaking I would block off the feed and return line as it leaves the heater control there on the firewall i.e. use one of the rubber hoses and just connect the feed and return to make a loop.

yotamudder

Haha, yes, a working heater is very nice during the winters here! Thank you so much

rworegon

Welcome! Sorry about your mom....and, btw, cute kid in your profile pic.

We get cold here sometimes, but not like up your way.

Looks like the tube set is +/- $100 and I have no idea what labor would be for that. Your trusted local mechanic should be able to give you a good estimate.

DRCOFFEE

Geez, a monkey could install those lines. I capped mine off and didnt miss it last winter. But if you need them, buy them from Toyota of Dallas for $88 and put them in with basic tools. The rubber hoses under the truck probably need to be changed too.

rworegon

DRCOFFEE, while the replacement may be simple for many of us, it may be an overwhelming task for someone who did not even know what those lines are for. However, a willing learner may like the challenge.

Agreed on the rubber hoses.

DRCOFFEE

I'll grant you that diagnosing this problem is tricky for a newby but the repair is straight forward. Disconnect a couple of rubber hoses, unbolt a few brackets, reinstall new lines and reconnect the rubber hoses. What you will need is a pair of pliers for the hose clamps, a socket wrench or a box end wrench and the willingness to get dirty. Or a gold card to pay a monkey $500 to do a simple task.

Edit: use eye protection.

yotamudder

I'm more than willing to get dirty! I noticed the leak while replacing the O2 sensors
I'm assuming that Dallas of Texas has a website. Is that the actual dealership?
Thanks for all the help so far, I plan on doing whatever work I can by myself. I'm too cheap to pay someone else to do something that I can do just as well.

rworegon

Toyota of Dallas parts website.

Cool....you'll do well. This is a bit more work than O2 sensors, but a great place to continue wrenching on your rig. Start soaking the nuts and bolts sooner than later. How hard was it to get the O2 sensor nuts off?

Download a copy of the FSM (Factory Service Manual) from the link in my sig that most closely matches your rig.

rworegon

BTW, the heater pipes are buried in the Electrical, Heater piping section of the EPC (Electronic Parts Catalog).