4.7 Loosing Coolant

[Az4runnin]

I am trying to trace a coolant leak no evidence anywhere on the hoses that coolant is leaking but I'm losing it and it's leaking from somewhere but I can't trace it I've looked at heater hoses, Radiator Hoses, Small C shaped Hose by the intake was already replaced a year ago. I can't spot any evidence of where it could be leaking from but it is leaking it seems like towards the back part of the motor. And it doesn't leak all the time. Any advice would be very helpful thank you

 

[AuSeeker]

I am trying to trace a coolant leak no evidence anywhere on the hoses that coolant is leaking but I'm losing it and it's leaking from somewhere but I can't trace it I've looked at heater hoses, Radiator Hoses, Small C shaped Hose by the intake was already replaced a year ago. I can't spot any evidence of where it could be leaking from but it is leaking it seems like towards the back part of the motor. And it doesn't leak all the time. Any advice would be very helpful thank you

You say you can't see any evidence of it leaking anywhere, so why do you think it's leaking from the back of the engine?

Many times when it not immediately evident where coolant is leaking from, most find the leak/s at the bottom corners of the radiator where it's very difficult to see.

 

[Az4runnin]

I say that because the leak is coming from further back not from the radiator no leaks coming from up front that far it's further back. The stupid part is it's not leaking all the time

 

[AuSeeker]

I say that because the leak is coming from further back not from the radiator no leaks coming from up front that far it's further back. The stupid part is it's not leaking all the time

If I'm not mistaken there's a coolant hose or pipe toward the back of the engine under the intake, I'm pretty sure I've read of others who had to either remove it or it's in the way making it harder than it already is to replace the starter.

 

[Az4runnin]

I am trying to find a diagram of the coolant line hoses and I'm having no luck finding what I want. I will get under the vehicle and check that out. Thanks man.

 

[weaves]

I am trying to find a diagram of the coolant line hoses and I'm having no luck finding what I want. I will get under the vehicle and check that out. Thanks man.

The coolant bypass pipe is difficult to see with the intake manifold installed. Here's a picture showing where the two gaskets are located.

 

[AuSeeker]

I am trying to find a diagram of the coolant line hoses and I'm having no luck finding what I want. I will get under the vehicle and check that out. Thanks man.

I'm pretty sure you won't be able to see/find that coolant pipe/hose from under the vehicle because it's under the intake, you can only get to it by removing the intake, you might be able to see it without removing the intake by using a "snake camera/bore scope" with a light on it and snake it in and under or coming in behind the intake.

Search the forum for any topics on replacing the V8 starter and you might find photos of the coolant line/pipe/hose under the intake, I'm pretty sure it a coolant pipe that uses o-rings to seal it, but It could be a hose, it's been a while since I've read about replacing the V8 starter.

 

[Az4runnin]

Yeah that looks a little bit beyond my capability of being able to get to after watching some videos when you mentioned the starter on how to get to it that looks like a total *****. Never would've thought the starter was right there. In all honesty being on the original starter at 233K I would be tempted to change it at the same time just so we don't have to do this removal of the intake and all that again.

 

[AuSeeker]

Yeah that looks a little bit beyond my capability of being able to get to after watching some videos when you mentioned the starter on how to get to it that looks like a total *****. Never would've thought the starter was right there. In all honesty being on the original starter at 233K I would be tempted to change it at the same time just so we don't have to do this removal of the intake and all that again.

If you replace the starter be sure to buy the best one you can, OEM if possible because most aftermarket ones will be crap and probably not last as long as your original starter would if you didn't replace it even though it has over 200,000 miles on it, Toyota made sure to design these V8 starters to last because of where it is on the engine, you don't want to replace it again because of lesser quality!!

 

[Az4runnin]

Absolutely I try to go OEM with everything I do just because it's made to last I will never sell or get rid of this 4runner ever. Thank you so much for the insight. It never fails every time I need direction or help this forum never fails me or lets me down I've been on this forum for 10 years for a reason thank you so much for the insight and the help.

 

[AuSeeker]

Absolutely I try to go OEM with everything I do just because it's made to last I will never sell or get rid of this 4runner ever. Thank you so much for the insight. It never fails every time I need direction or help this forum never fails me or lets me down I've been on this forum for 10 years for a reason thank you so much for the insight and the help.

Also another tip is that on these starters usually the only thing that ever fails is the motor brushes and the solenoid contacts, i.e. these are the only wear items on the starter the rest of it is rock solid, both of the wear items can be purchased and replaced instead of the entire starter.