While I do have a question about one I looked at, figured I may as well register since I'll soon be an owner even if this one doesn't work out. Did a lot of searching prior to posting but would like some fresh info from anyone knowledgeable I'm trying to get this as an occasional driver - not a rock crawler build, not a DD - just a weekends/mountain trips vehicle

Checked out an immaculate '99 4runner SR5 4x4 Auto tonight with a whopping 240k miles on it. Exterior and interior are both awesome, used the buying guide post(s) on this board to help me along.

Pros:

1. Very minimal surface rust underneath, just a couple little patches, could probably use a bristle brush to get off it's so minor
2. All electronics work - sunroof, rear window, other windows, all electronics, AC, heat, lights
3. All panels line up, no accidents, paint matches on all panels, the *worst* part of the exterior is hazy headlights, AKA it's damn near mint
4. Started without any hesitation, idled smoothly and consistently at cold and at temp
5. No noises while driving, drove straight as an arrow, tires need to be replaced and they're worn evenly across tread face
6. Timing belt done at 198k by dealership, all belts are OEM - actually everything I could see was marked Toyota
7. 4WD worked fine, including 4LO. Didn't even clunk or grind like I've read about (or like my 2012 tacoma does)

Cons:
It smells like coolant. That's the only f'n thing keeping me from buying this. Guy was actually looking for a screw driver to remove his plates when I noticed the smell from 3 or so feet away, downwind of it.

His driveway is spotless as is the street where he could possibly park it so nothing is leaking and actually hitting the ground. The passenger side floor is dry, clean, and shows zero evidence of anything ever dripping there (heater core I guess that'd indicate). Overflow tank was not cracked or leaking, no hoses were wet, cracked, or even old looking. The coolant by the way was a perfect red (no milkshake)

The only trace of anything wet was at the back of the engine near the firewall. It looks like a valve cover gasket leak back there (and he said a shop had mentioned this to him not too long ago), but the very back of the motor up top near firewall is very shiny.

Sorry for TL;DR - just trying to figure out what I should check next

It was definitely a coolant smell, so valve cover weep wouldn't really explain it. I have to assume its a leak very close to exhaust components due to how strong it smelled and no trace of anything in the forward half of the engine bay being the culprit. Thanks much for any tips at all. This u-shaped hose thing I've read about sounds most likely but I have no idea how to inspect that.

These are terrible pics but they're from a video I took, back of engine near firewall. Btw no recent services done to vehicle that would still be burning off-

Make sure it is not a blown head gasket. With that many miles it could be anything.

Welcome and hope it works out!

Where about in Colorado are you?

Thanks for replies - I'm in north Denver (technically Thornton but city limits sign is about 500 yards from my apartment).

I ended up purchasing it this morning, since it had no other symptoms to coincide with the burning coolant smell. Figured maybe it was that u shaped tube on the back of the motor at worst, and that + common leaking valve cover gaskets wasn't enough to deter me.

Since when I brought up the coolant issue last night he didn't mention any recent service, I assumed it surely wouldn't be coolant burning off from a shop spill.

Went to get it this morning and it started up after a 30 degree night with ease, idled great warming up and at operating temp just like it did last night. Drove it away and got stuck in MASSIVE rush hour traffic/construction, 30 minutes of stop and go never exceeding 10 mph. It didn't overheat, smelled fine, idled fine, all was great.

THEN I noticed a little sticker at the top left of the windshield, from a very recent oil change. Looked in glove box and saw paperwork from past few oil changes (all done at 3200-3500 mile intervals, so this most recent one wasn't to mask anything). Invoice noted that they suggested valve cover gasket (on all the recent OC invoices hah). It also noted that they topped off fluids. That explains that - guess they spilled a little something. After I got home from a damn thorough test of the engine's ability to handle traffic, I smelled nothing. Zip. Nada. Very happy with the purchase and I got it for a damn good deal due to our mutual fears of some coolant related issue + him forgetting/not knowing/not mentioning that the vehicle had just been serviced and that they could have spilled something.

Sweet! Looks good.

I'm in Fort Collins by the way. Feel free to reach out if you every need anything.

Thanks a bunch man, I lived in Fort Collins for 4 years up until this May. Had to move for a job in Lakewood because the daily commute was killing me (and my wallet). Would have never left otherwise.

This is my other vehicle by the way, may have seen it around up there. Once I put some miles on the 4runner and make sure it's reliable enough, I'll start swapping whatever I can from truck to 4runner, return it to stock, and get rid of it (probably replace it with a new Subaru). Nothing fun about a 4cyl truck at 5200ft. Reg cab isn't much fun now either with a girlfriend and hopes of having kids some day.