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New member
While I do have a question about one I looked at, figured I may as well register since I'll soon be an owner even if this one doesn't work out. Did a lot of searching prior to posting but would like some fresh info from anyone knowledgeable :crutch: I'm trying to get this as an occasional driver - not a rock crawler build, not a DD - just a weekends/mountain trips vehicle
Checked out an immaculate '99 4runner SR5 4x4 Auto tonight with a whopping 240k miles on it. Exterior and interior are both awesome, used the buying guide post(s) on this board to help me along.
Pros:
Cons:
It smells like coolant. That's the only f'n thing keeping me from buying this. Guy was actually looking for a screw driver to remove his plates when I noticed the smell from 3 or so feet away, downwind of it.
His driveway is spotless as is the street where he could possibly park it so nothing is leaking and actually hitting the ground. The passenger side floor is dry, clean, and shows zero evidence of anything ever dripping there (heater core I guess that'd indicate). Overflow tank was not cracked or leaking, no hoses were wet, cracked, or even old looking. The coolant by the way was a perfect red (no milkshake)
The only trace of anything wet was at the back of the engine near the firewall. It looks like a valve cover gasket leak back there (and he said a shop had mentioned this to him not too long ago), but the very back of the motor up top near firewall is very shiny.
Sorry for TL;DR - just trying to figure out what I should check next
It was definitely a coolant smell, so valve cover weep wouldn't really explain it. I have to assume its a leak very close to exhaust components due to how strong it smelled and no trace of anything in the forward half of the engine bay being the culprit. Thanks much for any tips at all. This u-shaped hose thing I've read about sounds most likely but I have no idea how to inspect that.
These are terrible pics but they're from a video I took, back of engine near firewall. Btw no recent services done to vehicle that would still be burning off-
Checked out an immaculate '99 4runner SR5 4x4 Auto tonight with a whopping 240k miles on it. Exterior and interior are both awesome, used the buying guide post(s) on this board to help me along.
Pros:
- Very minimal surface rust underneath, just a couple little patches, could probably use a bristle brush to get off it's so minor
- All electronics work - sunroof, rear window, other windows, all electronics, AC, heat, lights
- All panels line up, no accidents, paint matches on all panels, the *worst* part of the exterior is hazy headlights, AKA it's damn near mint
- Started without any hesitation, idled smoothly and consistently at cold and at temp
- No noises while driving, drove straight as an arrow, tires need to be replaced and they're worn evenly across tread face
- Timing belt done at 198k by dealership, all belts are OEM - actually everything I could see was marked Toyota
- 4WD worked fine, including 4LO. Didn't even clunk or grind like I've read about (or like my 2012 tacoma does)
Cons:
It smells like coolant. That's the only f'n thing keeping me from buying this. Guy was actually looking for a screw driver to remove his plates when I noticed the smell from 3 or so feet away, downwind of it.
His driveway is spotless as is the street where he could possibly park it so nothing is leaking and actually hitting the ground. The passenger side floor is dry, clean, and shows zero evidence of anything ever dripping there (heater core I guess that'd indicate). Overflow tank was not cracked or leaking, no hoses were wet, cracked, or even old looking. The coolant by the way was a perfect red (no milkshake)
The only trace of anything wet was at the back of the engine near the firewall. It looks like a valve cover gasket leak back there (and he said a shop had mentioned this to him not too long ago), but the very back of the motor up top near firewall is very shiny.
Sorry for TL;DR - just trying to figure out what I should check next
It was definitely a coolant smell, so valve cover weep wouldn't really explain it. I have to assume its a leak very close to exhaust components due to how strong it smelled and no trace of anything in the forward half of the engine bay being the culprit. Thanks much for any tips at all. This u-shaped hose thing I've read about sounds most likely but I have no idea how to inspect that.
These are terrible pics but they're from a video I took, back of engine near firewall. Btw no recent services done to vehicle that would still be burning off-
