Major Antifreeze leak

[Philz]

Hello fellow 4-runner owners
I own a 96 limited with 194 Thousand miles that has major coolant leak.

Now to a sad story,
Yesterday morning I let it warm up , turned on heat finding cold blow.
Engine temp was norm for a short time then started increasing slowly so I turned off engine fast.
I then Checked fluid finding low so I topped off = 1/2 gallon & drove my 78 Land cruiser to work.
After work I did the at home cooling system flush with Toy 50/50 red & all seemed well till this morning.
I warmed her up ,engine temp normal & heat blowing hot so I took her for a spin.
Shortly after arriving home I noticed major drips so I pulled skid plate & there it was , My 1/2 gallon fluid hitting pavement.


No misfire or milkshake are present.
Timing belt was replaced at 98 thousand miles....not sure about water pump

Pics of round about area fluid is exiting

General area

Close up

I have a strong feeling water pump is the culprit.
Any Advice , Help.....heck anything positive would be much appreciated.

Thanks
Phil-

 

[hawaiian05]

Not the best angle pics, but if it was me I'd be doing the water pump. The water pump seep hole is at the bottom, which causes the fluid to run down towards the crank pulley, as it appears in the picture. You can take a flashlight and a mirror (preferably one attached to a handle) and view the bottom side of the water pump where the seep hole is to verify. I've also seen ones leak from the gasket between the pump and the block.

 

[Philz]

Not the best angle pics, but if it was me I'd be doing the water pump. The water pump seep hole is at the bottom, which causes the fluid to run down towards the crank pulley, as it appears in the picture. You can take a flashlight and a mirror (preferably one attached to a handle) and view the bottom side of the water pump where the seep hole is to verify. I've also seen ones leak from the gasket between the pump and the block.

Right on.
Yeah current pics are not so good, I will post up more detailed pics taken with better camera in coming days.


Thanks for your feedback


Phil-

 

[Koch13351]

That looks right around the thermostat housing. Try pulling the thermostat housing off, cleaning off both sealing surfaces, and replacing the gasket with a thin layer of RTV on each side of it.

 

[LittleCaesar]

+1 with the water pump. My guess is that it is original, and the RTV used between it and the block from the factory is gone.

Time for a TB/water pump change.

 

[jreask]

That looks right around the thermostat housing. Try pulling the thermostat housing off, cleaning off both sealing surfaces, and replacing the gasket with a thin layer of RTV on each side of it.

These trucks have a rubber gasket that fits around the thermostat. There is no gasket between the housing and the block. The rubber gasket seals against the block and the housing. NO RTV is necessary. Bad idea.

 

[hawaiian05]

OP- Without confusing you, there are two gaskets that are being mentioned, aside from the fact that the water pump itself is leaking. One gasket is the one between the water pump assembly and the block- this gasket is a metal, shaped gasket. The second gasket is a rubber one that fits snug around the thermostat, as jreask mentioned.

You can try to see if the thermostat rubber gasket is leaking, though with that kind of mileage and known history, your best bet is to change the timing belt and water pump.

 

[Koch13351]

Yes I know there's the o-ring type gasket that fits around the thermostat. But I always add a thin layer of RTV on the machined surfaces to ensure there won't be any seepage.

 

[Run 4 Fun]

Maybe I'm not seeing things right cause its too early in the morning, but doesnt it look like you have a huge crack in your hose?

 

[jgue467]

Maybe I'm not seeing things right cause its too early in the morning, but doesnt it look like you have a huge crack in you hose?

1st thing i noticed too but that would be a gusher!

 

[Run 4 Fun]

1st thing i noticed too but that would be a gusher!

Agreed, it looks like there is corr
on it like its been leaking for some time. Maybe a tiny pin hole, then just finally blew spilling out the half gallon. I know when I had a tiny hole leak in my radiator on my scion, temps went sky high and could smell coolant but was barely misting. Didn't even drop on the ground, but temp went up quick.

Edit: though I guess it would spill more than just a half gallon, more like it would empty most of the radiator.

 

[Philz]

Thanks for all the feedback.

Yes pic does give busted hose look but that's not the case. Camera used was junk lacking detail providing lots of shadow.
An ASE buddy looked it over finding water pump at fault.
Hes charging me 400.00 labor which I find fair & I'm supplying kit seen here - Amazon.com: Genuine Toyota Timing Belt Kit with OEM Aisin Water Pump for 3.4 V6 5VZFE Engines: Automotive.

To those viewing this get together,
In 2014 Water pump replacement crossed my mind many times but I slacked getting it done.
Prevent maintenance is the way to go, Don't be a Philz.




Phil-

 

[Philz]

Water pump failure was present.
The mechanic that replaced timing belt at 98 thousand mile installed after market water pump.
Such stupid move can make really bad things happen.


Phil-