Neat 4Runner, I hope it treats you well! Looks well loved, but hopefully has lots more to give. Hardly any rust from what I can see on your pictures, that's what seems to get these 1st gens.

 

Hi guys, I have a small problem.

There is a small mystery coolant leak.

I have noticed now 2 times a small (about a hand palm size) Coolant puddle under the transmission. I felt wetness on the top of the transmission, but I can not see any hoses leaking. This leak is sporadic. The first time I noticed the same puddle and moist transmission a week ago, and it hadn't leaked until last night again. I'm stumped. Any ideas? I haven't noticed any wet spots inside, though I used the heater last night.

 

The metal pipe on the passenger side, under the intake has 2 screws that hold another pipe to it has been known to leak. It is kind of hard to see and explain. Sometimes just a small tightening has fixed it for me.

Can you see the plate on the backside of the head? It is roughly 2 inches by 4 inches. It is on the very back of the head just below the valve cover. I am really sure water passes thru it. Seems like I had that one to leak on me one time.

 

Thanks Terry.

Today I went to Toy Connection in Santa Clara to ask their opinion, and the mechanic thinks it's a corroded metal tube that is in the back of the engine between the heads (maybe the one you're talking about Terry).

Unfortunately, since the intake manifold needs to be taken off, some gaskets ($160 worth) on it need to be changed as well. 4.5 hours of labor. At this point I decided if so much is getting taken off, I might as well do the leaking valve cover gasket, timing belt, water pump, etc.

With an inspection of the whole truck, and what I've already mentioned, he gave me a quote of $1000. This is slightly depressing to say the least, but my primary goal for this truck is for it to be reliable and trustworthy. I guess in a couple of weeks I'll drop a grand and hopefully have a truck I can take anywhere.

I don't feel competent enough to do all this work myself and I'm afraid if I attempt it, the truck will sit in my garage all winter instead of taking me to the snow.

What do you guys think? Does anyone know the name of the metal tube I'm talking about so I can do some research on what's involved in replacing it?

 

Can you put some pics up. I will try and get a few pics tomorrow.

 

I would, but I can't see it. The mechanic used a mirror to check it out and even he said he couldn't be sure without taking off the intake manifold.

 

The water pipe you are talking about is here. It will be on the passenger side. The 2 screws tha hold can be a little difficult to get to. On the back of the motor it will be the top pipe.


Back of motor, where the red strap hook is at.

 

Isn't that a 22R-E? I have the 3vze, so the pipe in question is in the valley between the two heads, quite a bit harder to get to.

I've been trying to find this pipe as a part so I can buy it along with a gasket and timing kit, but am having trouble locating it. I have been searching for "3vze water bypass pipe", but only water pumps come up.

Anyone know the part number or it's propper designation?

 

I'm starting to doubt the initial prognosis from the mechanic. The leak only presents itself when I use the heater. I've driven it around a few days now with the heater selector on cold, and the tranny is completely dry. One night I intentionally left it on hot, and lo and behold, a wet spot.

 

Ck coolant hoses that on the back location of the engine, near the firewall...most likely they leak bc once you turn on your heater or rear heater that is when coolant circulates....plus their is coolant hose that starts from the rear of throttle body and ends in a downward shape to back of the head... This hose is diff to get at.... Good luck