Vermonster

97 4Runner SR5

I've developed severe corrosion in a set of lines that run from the engine compartment, down the firewall, under the truck, and re-enter the interior at approximately the rear passenger side door under a small heat shield. These appear to be a set of two metal lines. These lines seem to be carrying coolant and I assume are feeding the rear heater. I've tried calling around to find the replacement part, but based on my description nobody can find it in parts catalog. Anybody have access to the EPC and can give me a parts number. Even better if you could grab a screen shot of the lines and associated mounting hardware. Have a strong suspicion the old mounting parts are not going to come out in one piece.

VT

Vermonster

I'm still stuck. Any help?

Wes Gardner

I just changed out my lines in my gen2 - I ran in rubber hoses from the heater to the "T"s on the firewall...I never could find a source for the heater core (which I thought was plugged but turned out OK)...the metal lines just looked like a PITA to get out and get new ones in so I opted for the rubber fix - $38

Is the corrosion occuring where the rubber/metal join? Maybe renew the hose clamps...I'm not familiar with the '97, just bought my '95 for my daugther's first car - she loves it


Wes

Vermonster

Thanks Wes. I'm considering just running rubber, but figure there must be a reason they ran metal in the first place. Pretty much the entire metal lines from halfway down the firewall until they change back to rubber before entering the body are shot.

VT

Dr.Feelgood

I ran rubber too on my 2nd gen. They'll be ok as long as you keep them away from the exhaust.

Wes Gardner

I assume, at the assembly plant, installing metal lines on the underside of a body is faster than dealing with flexible rubber and having to tie it up...I wire tied mine (double tie) on the side opposite from the exhaust....actually not a difficult change-out...with the runner being high, you can crawl right under (not so on my Miata)

Wes

Vermonster

Thanks all. Guess I'll trying just replacing with rubber lines. Can probably just ziptie to the existing metal lines if I leave them abandoned in place.

VT

jimbojones75

Just wondering what diameter rubber hose you guys used when running new lines to the rear heater core? I need to do mine this weekend.
Thanks.

4Crawler

iTrader: (3)

I recall using 1/2" heater hose on my 1st gen. I modified the core fittings with some brass elbows soldered to the end of the inlet and outlet fittings and added threaded hose barbs to make the hoses easier to access and fit:

4Peanut

This may be a little late, but I just had the dealer bypass the rear heater lines altogether (though now that I see what they've done I could have done it myself). The rubber portion of the lines were turned back on themselves up by the firewall. Of course, the rear heater will no longer blow WARM air. In my case, I rarely use the rear heater, so it was the economical choice.

4Peanut