Coolant pouring out under my 4Runner

[DWilliam]

2002. Pulled in the driveway last night and noticed a substantial puddle. This morning I filled up my coolant and reservoir. Turned the truck on and it was pouring out from this general area under the skid plate. I don’t know what this is, or if it’s even coming out from here, but this doesn’t look normal. The reservoir still has coolant.

140k miles, timing belt and water pump done about 30k ago.


https://imgur.com/a/29WQ2Av

 

[AuSeeker]

Looks to be coming from the weep hole on the water pump, if that's where the leak is you need to replace the water pump to fix it.

Be careful not to overheat the engine before getting the leak fixed, keep a couple of gallons of water in the vehicle with you if you decide to drive it before fixing the leak just to get you home or somewhere to get more water in case you need it.

 

[3bears]

agree with above, next question....what brand parts did you use 30k ago. If not asin....there is your answer for leak and timing belt might not be far behind.
just my thinks

 

[DWilliam]

agree with above, next question....what brand parts did you use 30k ago. If not asin....there is your answer for leak and timing belt might not be far behind.
just my thinks

Was done by previous owners. Is Asin the preferred brand for water pump and timing belt?

 

[AuSeeker]

Was done by previous owners. Is Asin the preferred brand for water pump and timing belt?

Aisin is the original manufacturer of Toyota water pumps, the original manufacturer of the timing belt is Mitsuboshi.

Aisin makes a complete timing belt kit for T4Rs, it has the OEM water pump and OEM timing belt in the kit as well as new idler pulley and tensioner.

The kit you need is.... AISIN TKT025, they sell another kit that doesn't have the tensioner, you don't want that one.

Here's a link to the kit on Rockauto website.

More Information for AISIN TKT025

 

[DWilliam]

Aisin is the original manufacturer of Toyota water pumps, the original manufacturer of the timing belt is Mitsuboshi.

Aisin makes a complete timing belt kit for T4Rs, it has the OEM water pump and OEM timing belt in the kit as well as new idler pulley and tensioner.

The kit you need is.... AISIN TKT025, they sell another kit that doesn't have the tensioner, you don't want that one.

Here's a link to the kit on Rockauto website.

More Information for AISIN TKT025

Thanks! I’m not even 100% sure that it’s the water pump, but I’m going to order the kit anyway and have my mechanic install it for piece of mind. It only has 140k miles so I’d like to know that those kind of things are reliable.

 

[gamefreakgc]

Ah, yeah that's your water pump. It is not a quick job but it isn't too hard either. You'll also want to get yourself a good flat razor blade scraper to get the block surface super smooth, along with some rubbing alcohol to get it clean. You can try a water pump gasket but you'll also want water pump RTV sealant to fill in the imperfections on the block surface as these engines are not young anymore and will have some pitting in the iron block.

If you want, now is a good time to replace the upper and lower radiator hoses and radiator itself as it makes it a lot easier to do the timing belt and water pump with the radiator removed. If the radiator top looks brown-ish or cracked replace ASAP.

One last tip. If you want to avoid removing the timing belt at all as there's no need to replace it buy this timing belt tensioner tool. You can even use it when the belt is still on the vehicle and avoid removing the timing belt at all. You'll just insert this between the two pulleys (water pump and hydraulic tensioner), crank it open until you can get the key in the tensioner in the slot, then remove the tool. Then remove the idler pulley from between the camshafts and you're golden. Saves a few hours of work and you'll thank yourself later.

 

[DWilliam]

Timing belt was done 11k miles ago with OEM parts. Not sure about water pump. It looks like it was leaking around where the lip of the oil pan was, but it looks like when it’s pressurized and running that it’s leaking from this hose/ long white plastic part below the belts, see below picture. Any ideas? Still reckon it’s the water pump?

https://imgur.com/a/EFqFK5g

 

[phattyduck]

Timing belt was done 11k miles ago with OEM parts. Not sure about water pump. It looks like it was leaking around where the lip of the oil pan was, but it looks like when it’s pressurized and running that it’s leaking from this hose/ long white plastic part below the belts, see below picture. Any ideas? Still reckon it’s the water pump?

https://imgur.com/a/EFqFK5g

Sounds like the water pump wasn't changed, which is too bad.

That white plastic thing is the harness cover for the wires to the starter. There is no fluid in there. It does run right below the lower timing cover to oil pump joint, which is right where coolant leaking out of the water pump would drip to. We've all seen this multiple times - its the water pump.

Here's what it looks like underneath, with a brand new water pump installed. You can see the harness cover down below.

-Charlie

 

[DWilliam]

Sounds like the water pump wasn't changed, which is too bad.

That white plastic thing is the harness cover for the wires to the starter. There is no fluid in there. It does run right below the lower timing cover to oil pump joint, which is right where coolant leaking out of the water pump would drip to. We've all seen this multiple times - its the water pump.

Here's what it looks like underneath, with a brand new water pump installed. You can see the harness cover down below.

-Charlie

Thanks very much for the clarification. I think I’ll do the timing belt as well while it’s taken apart. The kit is only like 200 bucks and I doubt it’ll add much more to the labor bill.

 

[DWilliam]

Sounds like the water pump wasn't changed, which is too bad.

That white plastic thing is the harness cover for the wires to the starter. There is no fluid in there. It does run right below the lower timing cover to oil pump joint, which is right where coolant leaking out of the water pump would drip to. We've all seen this multiple times - its the water pump.

Here's what it looks like underneath, with a brand new water pump installed. You can see the harness cover down below.

-Charlie

Forgot to mention, it idles high now since this started. I’m laying sure to keep the radiator filled and I’ve only started it a couple times to diagnose it. But now it idles around 1600. Would this be related?

 

[gamefreakgc]

Timing belt was done 11k miles ago with OEM parts. Not sure about water pump. It looks like it was leaking around where the lip of the oil pan was, but it looks like when it’s pressurized and running that it’s leaking from this hose/ long white plastic part below the belts, see below picture. Any ideas? Still reckon it’s the water pump?

https://imgur.com/a/EFqFK5g

It could also be leaking from the thermostat housing as it's slightly on the driver's side but I still think it's the water pump. Sounds like someone tried to cut costs and only did the belt. Sorry it's not something you are able to do and have to hire it out, as that will not be cheap.

 

[DWilliam]

It could also be leaking from the thermostat housing as it's slightly on the driver's side but I still think it's the water pump. Sounds like someone tried to cut costs and only did the belt. Sorry it's not something you are able to do and have to hire it out, as that will not be cheap.

Quote was $400 for labor, $200 for timing belt/water pump kit. It is what it is.

 

[pluton]

Quote was $400 for labor, $200 for timing belt/water pump kit. It is what it is.

Ask them if you can supply the parts or make them order Aisin kit. Unsupervised, they may substitute low quality parts.

 

[DWilliam]

Ask them if you can supply the parts or make them order Aisin kit. Unsupervised, they may substitute low quality parts.

Yeah I’m supplying all the parts just to make sure it’s the Aisin kit. Only thing is, the $400 quote shop won’t be able to get me in for a little over 2 weeks. I have some calling around to do today.

 

[gamefreakgc]

Quote was $400 for labor, $200 for timing belt/water pump kit. It is what it is.

Wow, that's not bad at all. I paid about $1000 for a timing belt change on my old Toyota here in CA. That's what led me to start working on my own vehicle. I agree with the other poster, try and see if they will install customer supplied parts. Note that most shops will mark up parts costs 25% or so over what they pay for them so the kit might only cost them $150 but charging $200 so they will likely be taking a small hit if you supply the parts yourself. You could also direct them as to where to buy the kit if they are willing to do that.