Notices
95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners 4th gen pickups and 3rd gen 4Runners

Slow Coolant Leak

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 11-19-2007, 06:09 PM
  #1  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
98runner210's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 797
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Slow Coolant Leak

I have a slow coolant leak. About every 2 months the overflow reservoir (sp) is almost empty. This morning I called underneath and saw a drip of green fluid coming off the luggage rack. I check the heater control valve and hose (it's a tight fit behind the motor) as far as I could see, it was dry. It has been like this for over a year. Noever any better or worse. Ideas?
Old 11-19-2007, 07:44 PM
  #2  
Registered User
 
MudHippy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 6,106
Likes: 0
Received 23 Likes on 20 Posts
Originally Posted by 98runner210
I have a slow coolant leak. About every 2 months the overflow reservoir (sp) is almost empty. This morning I called underneath and saw a drip of green fluid coming off the luggage rack. I check the heater control valve and hose (it's a tight fit behind the motor) as far as I could see, it was dry. It has been like this for over a year. Noever any better or worse. Ideas?
Let me get this straight...this morning you crawled underneath and saw a drip of green fluid coming off the luggage rack?

Luggage as in cargo? Underneath your 4Runner?!

Sorry, I'm lost...?

Last edited by MudHippy; 11-19-2007 at 07:47 PM.
Old 11-19-2007, 09:15 PM
  #3  
Registered User
 
fillsrunner4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Woodinville, wa
Posts: 2,906
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 1 Post
I think he means steering rack
Old 11-19-2007, 09:18 PM
  #4  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
98runner210's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 797
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
ha ha ha sorry i was typing fast cause i was at work and the boss man was in a pissy mood. yeah i meant steering rack
Old 11-20-2007, 07:33 AM
  #5  
Registered User
 
Ultraman V's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
See my posts above (below) somewhere! Could be a freeze plug, I'm finding my leaking coolant on the steering rack as well.

Good Luck!
Old 11-20-2007, 07:45 AM
  #6  
Registered User
 
deserttoy84's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: san diego
Posts: 861
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
my friend would drip a couple drops of coolant every time he parked... I pour like 2-3 oz of bars stop leak/conditioner and it went away.

Last edited by deserttoy84; 11-20-2007 at 07:46 AM.
Old 11-20-2007, 08:28 AM
  #7  
Contributing Member
 
MTL_4runner's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Montreal, QC Canada
Posts: 8,807
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Originally Posted by deserttoy84
my friend would drip a couple drops of coolant every time he parked... I pour like 2-3 oz of bars stop leak/conditioner and it went away.
I don't ever suggest using that stuff, far better to just fix the cause of the leak.

If you can find the leak easily then you should be able to trace where it came from and find the source of your problem. If you still can't see the source, use a blacklight because most coolants will glow under UV light and the problem should become obvious at that point.
Old 11-20-2007, 08:54 AM
  #8  
KdF
Registered User
 
KdF's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Big Sandy, Texas
Posts: 74
Received 3 Likes on 1 Post
Also a good time to check the footwells inside the Cab to see if the carpet is wet. If so, you have a heater coil leak and it Suxors to fix.
Old 11-20-2007, 09:14 AM
  #9  
Registered User
 
Ultraman V's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
+1 bazilion on the don't use stop leak crap!!!!

I had to replace an old Subaru engine in a car I bought several years ago, had to replace the radiator because it leaked pretty bad and the previous owners had put some stop-leak in there, more than once I'm sure, and the entire cooling channels looked like they had been crammed with oatmeal, it was really nasty. Do it right and save yourself down the road.
Old 11-20-2007, 10:52 AM
  #10  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
98runner210's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 797
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks for the tip, I will look at the freeze plugs.
Old 11-21-2007, 06:50 PM
  #11  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
98runner210's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 797
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
ok i loooked at the freeze plugs. I noticed on the passenger side of the block where the motor mount is, it is wet there. It lookes like there may be some leakage from the middle plug on that side. But it looks more wet around the mount area on the block. There is a bolt there too i dunno what it is to though. I doubt I have a leak from the block. If i did wouldn't it be serious?
Old 11-24-2007, 07:08 AM
  #12  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
98runner210's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 797
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
This plug seems to be hard to replace. what abou the rubber ones?
Old 12-30-2007, 02:43 PM
  #13  
Registered User
 
95SASMudRunner's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 257
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
simular problems let me know how it goes
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
SubiKing
86-95 Trucks & 4Runners
27
08-21-2021 03:57 AM
Colington
86-95 Trucks & 4Runners
20
03-08-2020 09:51 AM
WellsR
95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners
12
07-31-2015 03:27 PM
itzmywife's
95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners
2
07-25-2015 04:55 PM
Avenged
95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners
4
07-09-2015 07:55 AM



Quick Reply: Slow Coolant Leak



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 11:39 PM.