HELP! Water Leak - What to look for?

[SanDeggo]

Hey guys, not entirely sure if this is the correct forum. But wanted to see if anyones has had a similar issue.

Preliminary diagnosis: Getting out of my vehicle at work I noticed that there was a fairly large water leak coming from the control arm passenger side area. I have done a bit of a search and a lot of issues were referring to water pumps and possible head gaskets. But not really referring to this issue.

Heater was on, but not the A/C. Which I am very familiar with the compressor creating condensation but it was quite a puddle in the matter of 1 minute (About 7-8 square inches. Wasn't sure if this was something to worry about as it is clearly water, but it seemed like quite a bit for the A/C not being on.

Has anyone else had this? Any help on what to look for would be great. I am fairly certain it isn't head gaskets because of the lack of smell.

Cheers!

 

[DC runner]

You can still have condensation pick up.

Was it coolant? It should be pink if your running original or green/yellow. If it isnt either of those, and your not running straight water in your cooling system (duh!,right) then it is water and there is NO system on your truck that uses water other than the coolant and if you put water in your wiper reservoir.


Your aware that the 4runner will occasionally automatically turn on the ac compressor with heat on when you select defrost and in other conditions. It does this to help pull moisture out of the air. You sure it wasn't just this? Because that is, word for word, where the condensation water drip tube is and if the air is saturated with water; it will drip A LOT. Kinda just sounds like your car turned the compressor on.

 

[SanDeggo]

You can still have condensation pick up.

Was it coolant? It should be pink if your running original or green/yellow. If it isnt either of those, and your not running straight water in your cooling system (duh!,right) then it is water and there is NO system on your truck that uses water other than the coolant and if you put water in your wiper reservoir.


Your aware that the 4runner will occasionally automatically turn on the ac compressor with heat on when you select defrost and in other conditions. It does this to help pull moisture out of the air. You sure it wasn't just this? Because that is, word for word, where the condensation water drip tube is and if the air is saturated with water; it will drip A LOT. Kinda just sounds like your car turned the compressor on.

You know, that is the answer I was looking for! It does sound like my A/C is kicking on (With the heater on). It is definitely water, I am not afraid of dying from malaria, so I did the third world thing and did a quick taste.

I did notice that my defrost was on. So your post was the perfect response. Something that I didn't know that with the heater on that the A/C compressor kicks on. I very much appreciate your time. While it seems like I'm a dumbass (Likely true), I would rather start looking for parts now before it gets worse if it is a bigger issue.

Since I have people checking this out. Does anyone know where to look for 50-state legal cats? I can't find them anywhere and I work for a very large parts dealer. haha

 

[Troymclure]

You know, that is the answer I was looking for! It does sound like my A/C is kicking on (With the heater on). It is definitely water, I am not afraid of dying from malaria, so I did the third world thing and did a quick taste.

I did notice that my defrost was on. So your post was the perfect response. Something that I didn't know that with the heater on that the A/C compressor kicks on. I very much appreciate your time. While it seems like I'm a dumbass (Likely true), I would rather start looking for parts now before it gets worse if it is a bigger issue.

Since I have people checking this out. Does anyone know where to look for 50-state legal cats? I can't find them anywhere and I work for a very large parts dealer. haha

Ive had good luck finding universal cats that are 50 state legal at places like pepboys and autozone. You can just pull it off the shelf. Mostly they only have one or two in stock, but when my old mercedes was blowing through them at an incredible rate while trying to smog, I was always able to find one there. Theyre not even too expensive at about $80. Hope that helps

 

[DC runner]

You know, that is the answer I was looking for! It does sound like my A/C is kicking on (With the heater on). It is definitely water, I am not afraid of dying from malaria, so I did the third world thing and did a quick taste.

I did notice that my defrost was on. So your post was the perfect response. Something that I didn't know that with the heater on that the A/C compressor kicks on. I very much appreciate your time. While it seems like I'm a dumbass (Likely true), I would rather start looking for parts now before it gets worse if it is a bigger issue.

Since I have people checking this out. Does anyone know where to look for 50-state legal cats? I can't find them anywhere and I work for a very large parts dealer. haha

You don't need to lick it... coolant will smell. You shouldn't lick it because it shuts your kidney's down. You didn't lick enough to do damage, but it is very bad for you and pets. It can't be broken down by the body and starts to crystallize in the kidney until it shuts it down.

So.. you know. Don't make a habit of it.. just look at it, or smell it. It will smell sweet.

 

[SanDeggo]

You don't need to lick it... coolant will smell. You shouldn't lick it because it shuts your kidney's down. You didn't lick enough to do damage, but it is very bad for you and pets. It can't be broken down by the body and starts to crystallize in the kidney until it shuts it down.

So.. you know. Don't make a habit of it.. just look at it, or smell it. It will smell sweet.

I was confident it was water, just wanted to make sure. I don't go licking fluids from me vehicle often.

 

[SanDeggo]

Ive had good luck finding universal cats that are 50 state legal at places like pepboys and autozone. You can just pull it off the shelf. Mostly they only have one or two in stock, but when my old mercedes was blowing through them at an incredible rate while trying to smog, I was always able to find one there. Theyre not even too expensive at about $80. Hope that helps

I will check them out. I have done a search on AutoZone but they don't even show universal. If it isn't direct fit I will have to take it to a shop. Thank you Troy!

 

[Troymclure]

I will check them out. I have done a search on AutoZone but they don't even show universal. If it isn't direct fit I will have to take it to a shop. Thank you Troy!

Yeah one thats direct fit is gonna be solely from the dealer. I believe both v6 and v8 4runners have them built into the headers, so you will have to buy new headers to get the new cats.

 

[SanDeggo]

Yeah one thats direct fit is gonna be solely from the dealer. I believe both v6 and v8 4runners have them built into the headers, so you will have to buy new headers to get the new cats.

If there is one thing I hate about Toyota... it's this. Yeah, I have the 4.7L. They have a cat on both manifolds. PITA. But the sulfur smell is only getting worse, have to take care of it soon.