I've been finding a few drops of coolant on my crossmember lately. It seems like when I drive it, it doesn't really leak. But if I let it sit for a couple of days there are about 5-6 small drops of coolant down below. I've looked around a much as I can but can't find the culprit. Any ideas on common areas that leak coolant in the back of the engine. The heater hoses look clean.

This is a 96 Taco with 3.4.

Thanks,
Lance

 

sounds like a hose. probably the lower radiator hose. other areas could be the the oil cooler lines, freeze plugs, head gasket. what side does it seem to be leaking on?

 

I think I just found it.......rear freeze plug on the drivers side, the one you can clearly see when looking through the wheel well.

Anybody know anything about replacing them....??

 

Funny i actualy just replaced mine. i did however pull the motor up in order to do it however buy removing the exhuast, and misc hoses you could get to it. Take a screwdriver and punch it in ONE spot around the edge a few times and it should tilt and be able to be pulled out with pliers. you could buy a freeze plug punch to do it easy or take a block and tap it in evenly. anymore questions on it just ask

 

Cool, so they just tap back in? That shouldn't be too bad then, I think I can get to it enough through the wheel well, it's tight, but hopefully doable. I really don't want to have to remove exhaust and lift teh engine.

Thanks for your help!
Lance

 

You can do it without removing the engine, but be sure to use a little RTV on the edge surfaces of the plug to ensure it seals properly. Use a properly sized socket to seat the new plug and don't drive it into the engine too far or you could make your situation even worse.

 

Cool! ANOTHER project for the Holliday weekend......I'm soooo excited......
I'm planning on changing my fuel pump and filter out also!!!!!!! It started moaning a little bit last weekend while I was up in the Mtn's.....190K miles !!

Thanks for the tips MTL.......that would really suk to drive the plug all the way into the engine.

 

Well I got it replaced, the rust on the backside of the old one wasn't as bad as I expected but it was eating a pin sized whole in the bottom of the plug. Kind of a PITA to get the new one in, as I couldn't get my socket to fit straight onto the plug so I used a prybar and tapped with a small block of wood to get it in. I do seem to have a small seepage point though, I drove it around the block and let it get fully warmed up, now I'm letting it cool down. Fingers crossed that it seals up........at least it's better than before.