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

Coolant Leak Question 3.4L Engine

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Old 01-22-2005 | 10:11 AM
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Coolant Leak Question 3.4L Engine

I have developed a small coolant leak and I wanted to see if this is a common problem and what you think the root cause might be. If you look at the picture below the leak area is immediately to the right of the yellow dip stick handle. There is what looks like a coolant tube that connects to the engine there. I am thinking either that tube and hose clamp need replacing or there is some larger problem in that area. Which would you think it is? Thanks

Old 01-22-2005 | 01:02 PM
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cant really tell from the pic,pin hole in rad maybe?probly not a clamp,its the hose or the water pump.
Old 01-22-2005 | 01:51 PM
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I vote water pump or the seal around the water pump.

Hard to say for sure based on the picture, but that would be my guess.

The 3.4 has this problem every now and then. At least my 98 Taco did.
Old 01-22-2005 | 04:54 PM
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whats all the orange on the t/belt cover?dirt or antifreeze.
Old 01-22-2005 | 05:15 PM
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I think that's just the light.
Old 01-22-2005 | 05:17 PM
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Stupid observation, but my 01 has Long life Antifreeze (Dexcool)???
Old 01-22-2005 | 05:24 PM
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I'm guessing waterpump as well. Pull off the skidplate and see if there is coolant buildup near the front of the oil pan. That's where I noticed mine leaking around 80k mi., but I had Toyota red coolant in it.
Originally Posted by terryjmatthew
Stupid observation, but my 01 has Long life Antifreeze (Dexcool)???
Is it red? Probably the Toyota long life coolant that's different from Dexcool.

Last edited by VolcomTacoma; 01-22-2005 at 05:27 PM.
Old 01-22-2005 | 05:27 PM
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Originally Posted by 3yotys
whats all the orange on the t/belt cover?dirt or antifreeze.

Yes, It's just the light.
Old 01-22-2005 | 05:33 PM
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Originally Posted by VolcomTacoma
I'm guessing waterpump as well. Pull off the skidplate and see if there is coolant buildup near the front of the oil pan.
Coolant leaked down from that area and dripped off the end of the skid plate that is towards the rear. Has anyone experienced a leak in this area? It sounds like the consensus is thinking water pump.
Old 01-22-2005 | 05:40 PM
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Yeah, why is your coolant green? Mine is red.
Old 01-23-2005 | 03:13 PM
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Originally Posted by <96 Runner>
Yeah, why is your coolant green? Mine is red.
Prestone was used instead of the Yota Red. I find it hard to believe the water pump has gone bad. When I got the rig two years and 30,000 miles ago I had the water pump/timing belt replaced. Wouldnt you think it would last longer than that? By the way, is there any warranty on Toyota parts & service? Do you think a dealer might be obligated to fix this under some parts warranty?
Old 01-23-2005 | 03:36 PM
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My WP seal was leaking on my 98 Taco at 29K miles. The dealer will warranty their parts and work for 12 months / 12K miles. Are you past that?

Who used green instead of red? Depending on who did it, that could void the 12/12 warranty.
Old 01-23-2005 | 03:55 PM
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yes, it's been 24 months now. I'll be switching to the Amsoil coolant once I get past this.
Old 01-23-2005 | 04:01 PM
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4Runner,

I had my water pump on my 3.4 go bad at 20k miles. It was pretty unbelievable but this is common to the 3.4 as told to me by the service dept. They found the problem and replaced it under warranty. I was pretty happy with their service.
Old 01-24-2005 | 04:53 PM
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i say remove the hose. that hose is connected to the thermostat housing. remove the thermostat housing and make sure the gasket is good. its really easy to replace. its 2 hose clamps and then 3 nuts hold the houshing on. be careful when re-torquing it. it is made of aluminum and will crack if overtightened. and while you're at it replace that coolant with toyota red and some distilled water.
Old 01-24-2005 | 07:34 PM
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There is no gasket between the block and the thermostat pipe/housing. Surprised the heck out of me, but it's just a finely machined fit. Go figure.
Old 01-25-2005 | 06:07 PM
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From: jacksonville, fl
Originally Posted by obscurotron
There is no gasket between the block and the thermostat pipe/housing. Surprised the heck out of me, but it's just a finely machined fit. Go figure.
right, but there should be a gasket on the thermostat. if it is not on properly it will leak.
Old 01-26-2005 | 08:23 AM
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I had my water pump go bad at 73k, used my extended warranty to replace it. Now I have 162k and I too have developed a similar problem. My overflow bottle goes empty every few weeks. I noticed a small amount of coolant on top of the oil pan flange but below the water pump. I took it in and had it pressure tested, it held the same mumber for 30 minutes. The mechanic said theres nothing wrong........If it is my water pump there isn't the same grinding noise that happened before.
Just a small coolant leak every few weeks.
I'm about due for a timing belt so I may have the wp replaced at the same time...
Old 01-26-2005 | 08:57 AM
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check the thermostat ring gasket and ckeck the hose that the thermostate connect to, u might have a hole in it. if its not that its your water pump. did you change the T belt yourself? its not that hard just take about 2 or 3 hours and over 100 bucks for the freaking water pump!
Old 01-26-2005 | 08:58 AM
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Originally Posted by Ducseven
I had my <a href="http://www.serverlogic3.com/lm/rtl3.asp?si=11&k=water%20pump" onmouseover="window.status='water pump'; return true;" onmouseout="window.status=''; return true;">water pump</a> go bad at 73k, used my <a href="http://www.serverlogic3.com/lm/rtl3.asp?si=11&k=extended%20warranty" onmouseover="window.status='extended warranty'; return true;" onmouseout="window.status=''; return true;">extended warranty</a> to replace it. Now I have 162k and I too have developed a similar problem. My overflow bottle goes empty every few weeks. I noticed a small amount of coolant on top of the oil pan flange but below the water pump. I took it in and had it pressure tested, it held the same mumber for 30 minutes. The mechanic said theres nothing wrong........If it is my water pump there isn't the same grinding noise that happened before.
Just a small coolant leak every few weeks.
I'm about due for a timing belt so I may have the wp replaced at the same time...

is your head gasket going? what engine do you have?



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