I just got my 2006 V-8 4Runner (132K miles) back from having a "limited service campaign" recall work completed. When I picked it up from the dealership they had performed a "Multipoint Safety Inspection". I was told that my "coolant was low, but no leaks were found, which means that your water pump is probably getting ready to go out." Truth or BS because I'm a women? By the way, he didn't bother to add any coolant. He also told me that my timing belt & drive belt would need changed - I reminded him that they had changed these & the crank seals at 88K. I just feel like I need a shower when I leave that place because I'm skeptical that they are trying to pull one over on me. He did a good job of planting a seed of fear... now every time I'm driving, I wonder if this is the trip the water pump will go out on? Do I go ahead and get it all fixed? Can I add coolant on my own? Any advice, comments if greatly appreciated!!
Does low coolant = water pump going out?
- Thread starter BMa71
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nevada
Senior Member
yes, you can add coolant yourself. make sure you match whatever it has now red/pink/green. whatever.
top off the overflow bottle, then keep an eye on the level. if it continues to drop, then you will need to check for a leak. it could be the WP, but it could also be a handful of other things. it also might not even have a leak. it needs to be filled and checked.
also, one would hope that the water pump was changed, at the same time the timing belt was done. its smart practice and good insurance to do them at the same time. since the TB has to come off anyway, to change the pump.
The low coolant is most likely caused by the water pump. The V8 is known for leaking OEM pumps. Next timing belt service you do, you should do the pump too. It's recommended to do it then since it's almost the exactly same procedure. My pumped leaked for quite a while before I actually did anything with it at 160k miles.
Timing belts are a 70-90k mile service. (Depends where you go they'll tell you different mileage). I would get it done somewhere between 155k-170k miles. You can just keep topping off the coolant until then. Just go to Toyota's part counter and ask for a gallon of coolant for your truck. It's about $25. All you'll need is a funnel and 2-3 minutes to fill it up. It's super simple to do.
The arrow shows the resevior to fill up. If you look on the left side you'll see the 'empty' and 'full' marks.
Timing belts are a 70-90k mile service. (Depends where you go they'll tell you different mileage). I would get it done somewhere between 155k-170k miles. You can just keep topping off the coolant until then. Just go to Toyota's part counter and ask for a gallon of coolant for your truck. It's about $25. All you'll need is a funnel and 2-3 minutes to fill it up. It's super simple to do.
The arrow shows the resevior to fill up. If you look on the left side you'll see the 'empty' and 'full' marks.
I agree that the first thing to do is to refill it and monitor it for a while. If the coolant level hasn't been looked at for 10,000 miles, even an imperceptible leak will eventually cause it to be low. There are multiple out of sight places where coolant can leak very slowly without leaving much evidence. A loose hose clamp or even a bad radiator cap can cause coolant loss. I'd drive into Autozone or Oreillys and ask them to test your cap. You can also, relatively inexpensively, have a radiator shop pressure test your cooling system and that will generally expose any leaks.
The Toyota mechanic may have been telling you that, if you do get the water pump changed (due to a possible leak) you should have the timing belt and accessory drive belt changed at the same time. That would make sense, since the timing belt and water pump essentially involve the same labor to access. I would never do one without the other, even if the timing belt only has 40K on it.
Do the radiator and pressure tests first, though, before you have anyone take anything apart.
The Toyota mechanic may have been telling you that, if you do get the water pump changed (due to a possible leak) you should have the timing belt and accessory drive belt changed at the same time. That would make sense, since the timing belt and water pump essentially involve the same labor to access. I would never do one without the other, even if the timing belt only has 40K on it.
Do the radiator and pressure tests first, though, before you have anyone take anything apart.
chompster4runner
New member
I'm in the same boat as the op. Been losing coolant and can't find the source. Low on every other 2-3 oil change so i just keep adding until the "Ah Ha"! Moment.
If it's anything like mine, then you'll never see it on the motor or the ground, but when you take the pump off you'll see the build up on the pump.
Thanks you guys! I feel more at ease now and will pick up some coolant in the morning! Thanks for the photo tom5191 - I was able to locate the marks on the side of the reservoir.
In all fairness, the service tech did tell me to listen for a "grinding noise" and didn't pressure me to get the repairs done. I just always go in with my guard up and skeptical when they present a list of "recommended services."
I enjoy learning so much from these forums! I mostly just read others issues and learn from them. This was my first time to post and I sure appreciate your help!!
In all fairness, the service tech did tell me to listen for a "grinding noise" and didn't pressure me to get the repairs done. I just always go in with my guard up and skeptical when they present a list of "recommended services."
I enjoy learning so much from these forums! I mostly just read others issues and learn from them. This was my first time to post and I sure appreciate your help!!
it's also possible that your radiator has a leak. if you see any pinkish/whitish residue from the side of the radiator, it is your radiator.
also, if you end up running out of coolant, you can also use a distilled water. you can buy those from any store.
also, if you end up running out of coolant, you can also use a distilled water. you can buy those from any store.
Only use distilled water as a temporary measure. It will freeze in the winter, it does not have rust and corrosion inhibitors, and boils at a lower temperature than properly mixed coolant. It's OK to get you out of the desert (much better than a dry radiator, for sure), but not as a long term solution.
CruzadoBlanco
New member
huh well i guess that explains where my coolant goes every couple oil changes or so. which is weird since the water pump on mine was done at the dealer along with the timing belt by the previous owner. i still got 53k miles/6years before its due to done again.
