I have a 1990 4runner with a 3vze and I have a coolant leak coming from the upper rear of the block I took the runner to the stealership and had them check it for 40bucks and they told me that it could be either a head (my runner has had the campain work done so they say) or the upper coolant lines...duh I was hopeing for more to diag the heads or lines they wanted 300 bucks should i give it to them or should I dig in and remove the plenum and check it out for my self? anyone done this if so how difficult is it? and any tips? another thing i need to do is a water pump and ive been told its a pita any tips?

also what psi should the compression test come out to?

thanks ya all

 

compression test for the engine? or the cooling system? i beleive for the cooling system to pressure test it, it is 13 psi pressure

 

sorry i wasnt clearer i ment the piston compression, though thanks for the info on the coolant system

 

Specs for compression test are
normal - 171 psi
minimum - 142 psi
maximum variation between cylinders -14 psi
And changing the water pump is fairly involved as it is behind the timing belt, but the job is doable if you have a reasonable amount of mechanical ability.

 

Greetings,
Tsk!,Tsk!,Tsk! Don't go to the "stealership", your only going to get raped! If you feel you can't do the work, take it to a reputable garage! Now, that being said: You need to pressure test the cooling system, grab yourself a good "mechanic's mirror" and take a look in back of the head, you might be able to pinpoint it, sounds like a hose to me not a head! The plenum isn't that bad to do, if you do take the plenum off, it's a good idea to replace the valve cover gaskets while your there, we all know how they leak on the old 3.0! The waterpump is a PITA, there's no doubt, you have to take the t-belt off, if your there, might as well replace that as well and perhaps the seals!
Good Luck!
Harry

 

I figure its the coolant lines too i noticed alot of rust in the coolant system...previous owner ran streight water so i figure that is probably where my issue is coming from I figure i will do the comp test tonight and post results soon for the coolant pressure test how do you do that? never done that before though my only other car is a 68cougar with a 390 so when it leaks its obvious , anyone know a good shop in the tacoma, washington area? im not too sure i want to dig into the front of the engine to do the water pump

thanks

 

Update: I did the compression test (took longer to post then i thought) the pressures came out fine lowest was 160 and that was on the front of the engine....go figure...I have decided to do the work my self going to tear into it over the long weekend any tips for where to get valve cover gaskets?

 

Where are you cause i have some that you can have for free just pay for shipping. Valve cover gaskets right?