Help finding coolant leak 94 runner 22re. Maybe heater core…

[Soulprogression108]

Need help finding a coolant leak on my truck. There’s no evidence of a leak but the reservoir needs topping up every week or two. What’s more there is a sweet smell in the cab of coolant. I’m thinking heater core but the heat works pretty good so I’m wondering how to check that more accurately.

In other News while searching for a mysterious clunk clunk clunk that sounds to be coming from the drivetrain (has been there since i got the truck just finally have the tools to Jack it up and spin everything around) I’ve noticed the left rear brake/wheel assembly has grease or oil all over it. The brake lines look good so I’m wondering if the bearing is bad or if there’s a seal in the axle that’s leaking allowing diff fluid out the assembly?

I still haven’t figured out the clunk. Maybe it’s a shot bearing? Maybe the cv joints are bad. I checked the u joints and there’s no play there which is what i thought it was.

 

[wallytoo]

Need help finding a coolant leak on my truck. There’s no evidence of a leak but the reservoir needs topping up every week or two. What’s more there is a sweet smell in the cab of coolant. I’m thinking heater core but the heat works pretty good so I’m wondering how to check that more accurately.

why do you believe the heat wouldn't work with a leak in the core? a leak doesn't plug the core, so the coolant still flows through it.

if you smell coolant in the cab, i'd be looking at the core, and any hoses connecting to it.

 

[Soulprogression108]

why do you believe the heat wouldn't work with a leak in the core? a leak doesn't plug the core, so the coolant still flows through it.

if you smell coolant in the cab, i'd be looking at the core, and any hoses connecting to it.

Good point! I was going off a checklist for bad heater core and one of the main things is that the heat isn't working.

I'll give it a good going over today. I'm hoping it's just a hose or something because I know the heater core is a PITA to get to.

Mahalo

 

[Soulprogression108]

Ok so it may not be the heater core we'll have to wait and see. I found a leak by the thermostat housing. It looks like it is not the thermostat housing though, but the small hose that connects next to it. This hose is clamped on with to a small thread on fitting size number 12. I'm going to let it cool down and then pull that line and see if the hose is shot or if the fitting is not sealing properly. It explains the smell and missing coolant though! It seems like it may be getting slightly worse. After a long drive this morning there was coolant actually leaking onto the ground which I have not seen yet. The truck does have an oil leak but it seems to be so slight that it never makes it to the ground. It doesn't loose oil fast enough to really bother with this. The coolant is the prime focus right now and replacing the leaking AC condenser when it comes in. They have Denso condensers on Amazon for close to 1/3 the price of the dealer.

Old truck.... always working on something. Gotta say the new TRD runners look so sick!!!