coolant leak - new to me 02 4runner

[absalom]

My mechanic doesn't work weekends, and I really don't want to wait wondering whats going on with it until he is available. So I think tonight after work I'll make an actual attempt at identify the problem. Pictures to follow.

You have the forums, you don't need a mechanic.

 

[vanderwiel]

Took this from the passenger wheel well

 

[alumarine]

Is it leaking from there or just wet?

 

[vanderwiel]

Is it leaking from there or just wet?

Hard to tell. If it's not leaking there the fluid is running over the part..

 

[nissanh]

Why not remove the front skid plate? 12 mm box socket and 6 inch extension with ratchet is all you need. There are 3 bolts in the front and two in the rear. Remove rear two first and then front three. Wear goggles.

 

[alumarine]

Hard to tell. If it's not leaking there the fluid is running over the part..

You said earlier "I poured coolant into the radiator with the engine off and could watch it leak out of the side of the engine"

Well, where's it coming out? You're there. No one else is.

And as others have said, maybe take the skid plate off.

 

[Kevin in MN]

To the original poster or anyone reading this thread, did this ever get solved? I'm helping my cousin fix his 2001 4Runner, and it's leaking in exactly the same area. We did just replace the radiator, hoses and t-stat and coolant is leaking out without engine even running. He did have an overheat issue a while back, but this leak is recent. We have the skid plate off but cannot seem to find the leak. It is not the t-stat or alum. pipe, it is from further behind that. Gonna do more digging, but just thought I'd see if anyone here has any specific areas to check. By the way this looks like a great site. I've had 2 LandCruisers (60 and 80 series) so I got to know ih8mud pretty well, love these types of sites for helping us keep these trucks running!
Thanks in advance.
Kevin

 

[thegipper]

Check behind the engine near the fire wall. There are a bunch of heater hoses back there that can leak (mine did at the base of one of them). There is also the heater control valve that are known to crack/leak over time. Mine never made a mess on the ground because it was a slow leak and dripped on the crossover pipe and would burn off. BTW, it is a total pain in the ass the replace those hoses so hopefully it's something else.

If you have rear heat, you should check those lines also.

 

[spartacus]

To the original poster or anyone reading this thread, did this ever get solved? I'm helping my cousin fix his 2001 4Runner, and it's leaking in exactly the same area. We did just replace the radiator, hoses and t-stat and coolant is leaking out without engine even running. He did have an overheat issue a while back, but this leak is recent. We have the skid plate off but cannot seem to find the leak. It is not the t-stat or alum. pipe, it is from further behind that. Gonna do more digging, but just thought I'd see if anyone here has any specific areas to check. By the way this looks like a great site. I've had 2 LandCruisers (60 and 80 series) so I got to know ih8mud pretty well, love these types of sites for helping us keep these trucks running!
Thanks in advance.
Kevin

this might help
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/98166-coolant-leak.html

 

[Kevin in MN]

Thanks! I'll check both