Mysterious antifreeze leak
 

I just noticed antifreeze leaking down the drivers side where the bell housing meets the engine.
I can see it all the way on top with a mirror.
Any ideas on whats up there that could be leaking?
Freeze out plug? Intake?

In true toyota fashion..........visibility from the top is zero and from the bottom is a crapshoot with a mirror.

thanks , Kenny S>
http://www.fototime.com/B4187708F77DAD8/orig.jpg

Could be one of those rear hoses on the back of the engine behind the intake manifold. I would do a cooling system pressure test.

You could see it if it was coming out of the w.p. or thermo, so it's probably not those.

No .........it's something directly on top of the bell housing.
What a freaking crazy place to stick hoses.
I can barely get back there.

I'll have to double check them..........Hope it's that simple
Kenny S>

How about the hoses that feed the rear heater? I guess they would be pretty obvious (mounted at the firewall).


Andreas

i think some 4runners models are known for antifreeze leaks. One time my uncle's family/friends and i went up northern maine for camping, waaay out in the woods. My aunt had a 98 runner and my friend had a 99 runner. both were completely stock. Out of no where both had a antifreeze leak. The leak was on the passenger side in the wheel base. It was the metal hosing, all we did was clamp it and bend it to slow down the leak so that we could drive it over to the mechanic. Apparently both runners needed new hosing setup... i'm just hoping that my runner dont run into this kind of problem.

What engine?

The plot thickens...........
Here's a shot from the mirror looking at the top of the transmission where it meets the engine.
There is a small crusty mass at the break point.
Is there a freeze out plug behind it ?
There is nothing leaking down from the intake??
Anyone have a photo of the rear of a V6 engine
Any takers??? I'm baffled! Kenny S>

http://www.fototime.com/2343B3C1935D3D3/orig.jpg

Any chance it's something else, such as fuel?


Andreas

What engine do you have?

http://inlinethumb16.webshots.com/45...600x600Q85.jpg

If you want a bigger view click on pic and select the full size option.

Thanks for the pic!
But.........it looks like that intake plug/ manifold is pretty dry.
The crust is 2 inches away.
Getting a good look at the bottom of that intake plug is tough.
The exhaust crossover tube runs across the rear of the engine.

What is that part with the 2 hoses connected to it?
Looks like a freeze out plug sandwiched in between the intake and the engine.
Kenny S>

3.4 V6

Now I'm really stumped.
I was able to get a look at the hose block on the back of the intake.
It's dry..........The moisture starts at the top of the trans housing where it meets the engine about two inches to the left of the top housing bolt.........:bang::bang::bang:
:con::con:

Anyone have a clue??

No..........it is antifreeze.
100%

Is it at the headgasket? Those have been known to leak externally.

There are more than a few sources for leaks here. There is (1) the hose going to the intake manifold (refer to mt_goats pic), (2) the interface between the intake manifold and both heads, (3) the two freeze plugs and (4) by-pass tube interface on the top of the block, (5) blown head gasket, (6) the heater hoses, and (7) the water temp sensor on the manifold.


http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/h...leakpoints.jpg


If the leak appears at the top of the bellhousing with no obvious external trace then it may be one or more of sources (2) through (5) and coolant will leak past the by-pass tube plate, right on top of the bell housing. Obviously, you will need to inspect more closely to see where your leak is actually coming from.

And yes there are two freeze plugs at the back of the engine, but if you have a leak there you won't see coolant at the top of the bellhousing.

I'm still at a loss here guys.
I was just under there looking again with a mirror and this is the spot where
the leak starts. See that little 1/2 circle bump in the engine casting?
Thats the start point and where a little crust was forming.
Nothing above it or over to the passenger side is wet.
It's running from there down the drivers side of the tranny and down to the rack to the floor. Baffled......Kenny S>:mad2:

Could it be leaking from under the intake through the top trans bolt hole and by the bolt head??
http://www.fototime.com/266E76BAF18CD29/orig.jpg

Mystery antifreeze leak revisited.......99 runner
 

I'm stumped guys............
Do I pull the tranny ???? the intake???
Using provided photos from you guys, here's the exact spot the antifreeze leak / crust starts.
http://www.fototime.com/266E76BAF18CD29/orig.jpg

No leak from the head or from the intake valley plate.
It looks as if its coming from the break between the tranny and the engine??
http://www.fototime.com/2343B3C1935D3D3/orig.jpg

Is there a mystery freeze out plug behind the tranny not shown in these photos?
Really what I'm asking is "what would you do??"

Any help would be greatly appreciated.....Kenny S>

I would start with the intake, most likely and least intrusive check. External head gasket leaks happen, but rarely on that motor.

That's the problem.
Last time I looked...........the bottom of the intake tube/ plate is dry!
The origination of the coolant makes no sense from what I'm seeing in the photographs of the engine.
I know fluids can do strange things but if it were coming from the rear of the intake.....it would come down the passenger side of the engine.
I see it's origination from the drivers side where my pencil is pointed.
Makes no sense! Still baffled!
Kenny s>

I guess it could be a cracked block. Was the truck in a wreck?