leak under passenger side

[maximilian]

i just bought a 98 4runner sr5 with 107k, i was hearing a clunking sound which i found out was the missing link bushings on the 4wd torsion bar and i just noticed a leak under the front passenger side right behind the wheel well, it leaks enough to be noticable. i did notice that my coolant was low so i put more in and its down to the low line again but its not empty and i put the coolant in like a week ago, it seems to fluctuate between completely empty and on the low line. this is an issue i hope is covered by the warranty, could it be coolant? power steering fluid? im not too sure what it is but its from the samw spot every time and its just drops, not a continuouse leak, any help would be great, thank you.

-max

 

[SchooBaka]

It might just be the drain hose for the air conditioning evaporator. Water condenses on the evaporator core when the air conditioning is on, much like how water condenses on the outside of a glass of ice water. It drains through a hose at the right portion of the firewall.
try rubbing you're finger in it and compare it to rubbing you're finger in tap water to see if it feels the same, also it should be clear.

Fluctuating levels in the coolant bottle is normal. It goes up when hot because the coolant is expanding and the radiator cap allows some if it back in the bottle to releive pressure. As the engine cools, the coolant contracts, creating a negative pressure and the radiator cap allows some coolant from the bottle back into the engine. As long as you are not having to constantly add coolant to the bottle you should be okay.

 

[maximilian]

excellent thank you, i wasnt running the air conditioner when i checked for it, i havent tested to see what it feels like, my dad suggested putting a piece of paper under it to see the color.

I used to own a 94 saab 900 se turbo and was plagued by a coolant leak for the 8 months that i owned the car before i totaled itbut the computer kept telling me 'coolant level low' will my 4runner warn me when the coolant level gets too low? the car isnt running too hot or anything but i still havent taken it on a long trip.

-max

 

[shootmymime]

hey again man... id agree with schoobaka it prob isnt the coolant... bit if it was there would be a big mess of dirt build up but the alternator... thats where the water pump is and mine was leaking and sucking coolant like CRAZY!!!

man that car is nice!!!! send me some pictures or something.... i wana see it.
-Patrick

 

[maximilian]

i wish i had some pictures, i loved that car, it had so much balls for 4. it was all black, black leather interior, 5 speed manual, it only had 75k, it had damn good gas mileage and it handled like a dream. it did give me alot of problems, i had to replace the turbo, i had to replace the radiator and the a/c didnt work. Oh well if i didnt total it i wouldnt have a 4runner now right?

 

[shootmymime]

man when did u total it?

 

[maximilian]

about 2 years ago, im in philly so i didnt really need a car

 

[GSGALLANT]

excellent thank you, i wasnt running the air conditioner when i checked for it, i havent tested to see what it feels like, my dad suggested putting a piece of paper under it to see the color.

-max

Your A/C button doesn't necessarily have to be pushed in with the little light on for your A/C compressor to operate. If your air direction button is selected to "Defrost Windshield" or "Defrost Windshield + Feet", then your A/C will be on, regardless of whether the A/C button is pushed or not.

 

[SchooBaka]

True, but the indicator will light up to let you know the ac is operating, wether the button is depressed or not.

 

[GSGALLANT]

True, but the indicator will light up to let you know the ac is operating, wether the button is depressed or not.

Not true on my 2002 4R. Light only comes on when button is depressed. A/C runs when any defrost setting is selected with no light on the A/C button illuminated (again, unless the button is pushed.)