New to the forum and looking to see if anyone has had the same issues.

Recently purchased a 92 4runner V6 and it started leaking coolant. I initially thought it might be the lower radiator hose so I replaced that. The other day while driving it started smoking from under the hood. I turned on the heater but after a few seconds the heater stopped blowing warm air. After opening the hood, it looked like the smoke was coming from the back of the engine and coolant seemed to be covering the outside of the back of the engine.

From researching online, it sounds like it could be anything from the head gasket, thermostat, water pump, or maybe a heater core hose. Anyone here have any ideas what it could be or any way to narrow down some of the possible causes???

Thanks in advance!

 

Do a pressure test on the cooling system and see where coolant is pushed out. There is a U shaped coolant hose between the head and firewall that's a problem area.

 

Awesome! I'll check that hose and do a pressure test.

 

I'll bet that's it.

Happened to me too. BUT....be careful back there! I broke a sensor while I was back there. It's expensive, but brittle after all these years. It's part of the emissions system.

 

Coolant on V6 -- Upper and lower radiator hoses.

If you ahve the pancake oil cooler, it's to the rear of the oil filter and has hoses running below the oil filter. (Driver's side.)

On the rear of the engine is the U hose.

Drivers side, top of engine are 2 hoses. One of the coolant bypasses. One runs under throttle.

And then You have ~4 or 5 separate hoses at top rear of engine for your heater.

For a vehicle this age, all hoses should be replace for optimum reliability.

The bad news is that they're expensive. ~$250 or so altogether if my memory serves me right. But considering the cost of tow or engine damage from lost coolant, absolutely worth it.