I recent purchased a 97 SR5 3.4l 5 speed 4 runner. I love it great power and everything. I noticed yesterday when replacing my belts that my reserve waater was low. I topped it off and the radiator to the desired levels. Oil looks good no grayness good color. When I checked it again this morning it used some. No white or grey smoke out the tail pipe I don't see any water leaks anywhere. This is the 2nd time I've put water in it. Temp gauge rest in the 1/3 to 1/2 after it warms up. Even letting it run I don't any leaks. Could it be leaking into the head but not changing the oil color or thickness? Confused cause I've probably added over a gallon. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciative. Thanks in advance.
Mysterious water leak?.?
- Thread starter Kotrin
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kball
New member
You say you've added a gallon but over what period of time? If a short amount of time you should see some smoke/steam out of the exhaust at least on start up. Check your interior carpets, like the passenger side below the dash and make sure it's not leaking on the inside from the heater core.
CharlotteFire
New member
Check around the water pump.
Probably a week..as far as adding the gallon of water.
On initial start-up it does have the vapor smoke then it goes away. I don't smell a sweet smell..ill feel the carpet and check that next.
I was really worried that it was the head...I just got it ...gofigure. I'm fairly mechanically savy just working a lot of hours atm. Am I looking at just the top end or thinkill be looking at rings too.
I haven't priced a new head but my friend who has had a few 4runners says I should go super charge conversion if I gotta drop a new head in..lol
How long would you give it if just kept putting water in it? And anyway to positively confirm its the head?
Thanks for the quick and informational responses.
On initial start-up it does have the vapor smoke then it goes away. I don't smell a sweet smell..ill feel the carpet and check that next.
I was really worried that it was the head...I just got it ...gofigure. I'm fairly mechanically savy just working a lot of hours atm. Am I looking at just the top end or thinkill be looking at rings too.
I haven't priced a new head but my friend who has had a few 4runners says I should go super charge conversion if I gotta drop a new head in..lol
How long would you give it if just kept putting water in it? And anyway to positively confirm its the head?
Thanks for the quick and informational responses.
If I don't run the heater would I still get a leak?
chris360hawks
New member
It could just be the engine had to warm up to suck in the additional coolant you added which made the level drop some. It is probably not a big deal at all.
I've done top end builds on pre efi vehicles...my old 87 toyota. Think its possible that I could do a top end myself? Right now I'm working out of town on oils rigs so I got internet on my phone and afew tolso. Don'tt hink I have enough tools and time till I get off my rotation..
If I did a compression check..would that tell me if it was head?
chris360hawks
New member
Seriously seriously seriously doubt it is the head gasket. Just keep driving the hoe.
I like your thinking ill drive it till I see actual issues keek an eye on the heat add when needed till I can actually take it apart thanks.
Checked the floor on the passenger side dry....
Could it be leaking from the hoses even though I don't see it? Can I pressurized the attempt and check it that way?
I do know that it has a new radiator..I figured they didn't top it off correctly. Ill keep an eye on it and hope it doesn't leek more
I do have rear heat!
So am I understanding that. TS leaking possibly through this line
So here is an update. Finaly got some time off..pressure heck showed no leaking. So they told me it could be seeping out of my water pump and it could be going out :-(. Otherwise everything looked good no signs of it goin into the head. Now I just Ned a free weekend to attempt to do timing and water pump.
I was actually having the same problem. I would smell antifreeze from outside my truck when it was running. No visual leaks any where. I was starting to get worried that it was my head gasket as well and brought it in to get it diagnosed. It ended up being the thermostat housing and gasket. Cheap fix. I also had the water pump done with my timing belt about a year ago which was also leaking. Usally if the water pump is leaking the antifreeze drips on the fan belts and you will hear a squealing noise coming from the belts. A sure sign the water pump is taking a dump.
brian2sun
Elite Member
If you get a small extendable mirror, you can stick it under the water pump and thermo and you should be able to see some coolant or dried up coolant trails in that area.
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