hey guys im dripping what seems to be coolant at the back of the engine. between the engine and transmission. i can't see where exactly as the space is really tight. i took it to a mechanic and he can't really tell either said the head looks dry all hoses look dry. any ideas where it could be. the drip is dead center and drips down on the steering rack right in the center. any help would be much appreciated, thanks.
coolant leak
- Thread starter johnwoo
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brian2sun
Elite Member
Could be a leaky freeze plug on the bottom of the block (above the tranny). There are also two coolant hoses going to the back/middle of the engine near the firewall so check those. Look for coolant trails because sometimes it can be leaking out of the water pump or thermostat and the wind will blow it back towards the steering rack. A small extendable mirror and a flashlight will help find the source. Did your mechanic pressure test the cooling system?
scottyb
New member
My guess is it's the hose that takes coolant from the engine block to the heater core. It's right below the intake plenum. #1 is where the metal pipe connects to the rubber hose that goes through the firewall to the heater core. #2 is where the metal pipe connects to the block (mine was leaking a little).
You could definitely do this yourself if you wanted, It's not too bad.
You could definitely do this yourself if you wanted, It's not too bad.
Diagram14
New member
One of the failures of my head gasket when it went was coolant leaking out of the back left (drivers) side. The head remained dry because it leaks down from between the head and the block. The leaking coolant stream ran down the block, down the side of the bell housing, and onto the steering rack and swaybar before hitting the ground. There are any number of places that leak could be coming from and your best bet is to trace it up from the drip point. Your best time for that would be right before the engine heats up enough to evaporate the stream. Good luck, and fingers crossed for you that its less than more work.
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thanks for all the replies very helpful. the mechanic didn't pressure test it. the oil looks clean and the car temp is staying strong im hoping its not a head gasket. im gonna take it to my parents mechanic to have him take a look. hopefully its not too bad. the leak is straight down the middle of on the back of the engine.
Hi JohnWoo .
I think I have the same leak as the one you had! Did you find where it came from?
I'm really afraid that's a head gasket failure, so if you can help me to find out if it can be something else, maybe just a hose !
I'm new in this forum and I 'd like to thank everyone for all the help you already gave me !
I just bought a 94 4 runner 2wd who obviously stayed parked for years and now everything is breaking one after others ! So since I have this truck this forum is my new bible !!
Also I'm French so excuse me if I'm writing something wrong !
Looking forward to have my turn to be helpfull !
I think I have the same leak as the one you had! Did you find where it came from?
I'm really afraid that's a head gasket failure, so if you can help me to find out if it can be something else, maybe just a hose !
I'm new in this forum and I 'd like to thank everyone for all the help you already gave me !
I just bought a 94 4 runner 2wd who obviously stayed parked for years and now everything is breaking one after others ! So since I have this truck this forum is my new bible !!
Also I'm French so excuse me if I'm writing something wrong !
Looking forward to have my turn to be helpfull !
While it can be several things, this is probably the culprit. They're very hard to see and it would cause it to leak down like that. The other thing I'd have done if those are OK is have a leak down test done just to be sure I dont have a leaking head gasket. The leak down is probably free and worth the peace of mind.
I had the same problem. The hose to the heater valve was cracked at the engine so it was pretty much out of sight. I couldn't figure it out until it broke completely. Have it pressure tested to be sure. It will save you some time.
Clone of the Mean
New member
Mine is doing the same thing all of a sudden. But only in the morning. I get a whiff of something that smells like a dead cats ass, a constant wisp of steam and a few drops of antifreeze. after I park. In the afternoon I get nothing. 2 days in a row now…… I can't physically see anything yet. I'm hoping to do a pressure test tomorrow
Coolant leaking severely driver front by timing cover
Hi I have the same problem. 02 3rd gen runner 3.4l approx 250k original owner pretty well maintained over the years 80% replacement parts as preventative maintenance or due to age try to think ahead fix it before it breaks mindset. I work odd hours usually nights, early morning, etc. I got off work around 5am last week and noticed a puddle of coolant and coolant system empty. Filled with water couldn’t see leak, drove 40 miles home rechecked once home rah great still no leak. later that afternoon off to another job noticed coolant puddle again on my driveway. Added water still nothing. I checked lower hose, bypass hose and drove fine 48 miles, off work coolant again added no leak drove home but this time gauge rising and now engine getting warm not to red approx 3/4 high put heater on max and pulled off freeway as quick as possible shut it down immediately for an hour due to steam. Walked away got breakfast when i came back I checked it out found radiator top tank blown at seam. Original radiator 250k. Limped it home shutting down when needle started to rise. Now I Replaced oem factory radiator, thermostat with gasket plus new gates upper/lower radiator hoses with clamps, topped off and stream of coolant seen but can’t locate exact location. Checked all my repairs solid no leaks. Water pump appears dry I have upper timing cover off. I’m thinking either freeze plug, some type of coolant through bolt that I’m missing, hidden hose or hopefully not head gasket. I’ve never seen a head gasket stream out coolant with engine off but could be a first? Let me know sorry for long story....... thanks for any help
Hi I have the same problem. 02 3rd gen runner 3.4l approx 250k original owner pretty well maintained over the years 80% replacement parts as preventative maintenance or due to age try to think ahead fix it before it breaks mindset. I work odd hours usually nights, early morning, etc. I got off work around 5am last week and noticed a puddle of coolant and coolant system empty. Filled with water couldn’t see leak, drove 40 miles home rechecked once home rah great still no leak. later that afternoon off to another job noticed coolant puddle again on my driveway. Added water still nothing. I checked lower hose, bypass hose and drove fine 48 miles, off work coolant again added no leak drove home but this time gauge rising and now engine getting warm not to red approx 3/4 high put heater on max and pulled off freeway as quick as possible shut it down immediately for an hour due to steam. Walked away got breakfast when i came back I checked it out found radiator top tank blown at seam. Original radiator 250k. Limped it home shutting down when needle started to rise. Now I Replaced oem factory radiator, thermostat with gasket plus new gates upper/lower radiator hoses with clamps, topped off and stream of coolant seen but can’t locate exact location. Checked all my repairs solid no leaks. Water pump appears dry I have upper timing cover off. I’m thinking either freeze plug, some type of coolant through bolt that I’m missing, hidden hose or hopefully not head gasket. I’ve never seen a head gasket stream out coolant with engine off but could be a first? Let me know sorry for long story....... thanks for any help
I had a coolant leak in a similar place. Turned out to be that the intake manifold gasket was leaking, which was allowing a small amount of coolant into the valley between the valve covers. It was then dripping down the back of the block. If you search for threads I’ve started, you’ll find it.
Leaking Coolant from rear of engine
I seem to be having this same issue. I was driving home and heard what sounded like a hose blow. Steam poured out. I got my 1997 Toyota 4runner home only to find out the car lot had only out water in it. And the Small amount of anti-freeze I had put in it, didn't make a difference. (Its been under 30° here for almost 2 weeks)
There aren't a lot of mechanics where I live (and none that I truly trust). After 3 hrs of them looking, they cant seem to find the leak. It's coming off the back side of the engine (down where i cannot see it). Mechanic said "all the freeze plugs look good and the hoses look good, but we cant find the leak without removing the transmission" his "honest" (again, I dont trust these mechanics, as I've been screwed by all 3 of them here) was a cracked engine block.
Is there something else it could possibly be? Especially if they cant see exactly where the coolant is coming from? I dont want to get my hopes up, but is there something there possibly aren't seeing?
Thanks!
I seem to be having this same issue. I was driving home and heard what sounded like a hose blow. Steam poured out. I got my 1997 Toyota 4runner home only to find out the car lot had only out water in it. And the Small amount of anti-freeze I had put in it, didn't make a difference. (Its been under 30° here for almost 2 weeks)
There aren't a lot of mechanics where I live (and none that I truly trust). After 3 hrs of them looking, they cant seem to find the leak. It's coming off the back side of the engine (down where i cannot see it). Mechanic said "all the freeze plugs look good and the hoses look good, but we cant find the leak without removing the transmission" his "honest" (again, I dont trust these mechanics, as I've been screwed by all 3 of them here) was a cracked engine block.
Is there something else it could possibly be? Especially if they cant see exactly where the coolant is coming from? I dont want to get my hopes up, but is there something there possibly aren't seeing?
Thanks!
Wedgy
New member
This dye may help, hit it with a black light like CSI ;
ACDelco 10-5045 Multi-Purpose Fluorescent Leak Detection Dye - 1 oz, New | eBay
ACDelco 10-5045 Multi-Purpose Fluorescent Leak Detection Dye - 1 oz, New | eBay
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