Slow Dying Runner....suggestions needed

[4C4Runner]

I had a coolant leak recently and had it checked out. My mechanic replaced the water pump with an oem one and they pressure tested the whole system after. No problems, but then a few days later I notice the leak is still going on, doesn't leak everyday which I find to be weird because the reserve is holding fluid fine and then suddenly will be empty with a puddle of red mess on the floor. I brought it back in and we spent a good hour checking it all out, no signs of loose hoses or a direct leak...in conclusion, the mechanic told me it might be getting sucked into the head gasket and ending up out the exhaust....said I would be seeing it smoke in a few weeks/months. He said the best solution would be to do a complete engine rebuild or replace it with the v6 and since my tranny is just starting to slip do that as well...total cost is 4500. He also said he would work on getting the 4th gen v8 to go in it if the engine mounts could be adapted and it would another 1500 since the tranny and other parts would need to be changed out too. They checked out the rest of the truck and said everything is perfect and it would be a shame to ditch it, body has no rust and 4wd looks good...had my toyota dealer give me a second opinion and he pretty much said drive it until it dies which might still be a while and then do the rebuild which through them would be 10k plus for the engine (4 cyl) and tranny since they sell the short block only and have to build the rest up...and he said if i am getting rid of it to let him know because a couple of his guys have their eyes on it... its still running strong even though i can notice a slight loss of power and worse mpgeezels. it has not overheated or anything yet...so I am just looking for opinions/suggestions on it.
my options seem to be...

1) sell now as is
2) drive it until it dies and ditch it
3) replace engine/tranny (forgot to mention, family strongly hopes I don't do this, worrying other problems will come down the road...money better spent on something new)
4) down a bottle of jack and drive it off a cliff (which might kill me but it might still survive given that top gear video on youtube)

 

[JeremyH]

Before dropping that much money into a new engine and drivetrain, I would definitely find the reason why you are loosing coolant. It could be something as simple as a cracked hose that, on warm days, expands and the crack is sealed and cool days, the crack opens up. Those hoses dont last forever and should be changed every few years.

 

[Justin727]

YOU DO NOT HAVE BHG(blown head gasket) Or leaking HG

 

[psquared77]

Where is the coolant going? You are not seeing a puddle under the truck? What about spillage/drippage on any parts around the reservoir or hoses? I can't picture how it is getting into a HG, but then again, I am not a Toyota Certified Mechanic. Before dropping anymore money, I would suggest taking a detective's approach to your coolant's whodini act. I have learned alot using this site and purchasing a Hayne's manual. I'd hate to see you get rid of a good truck for something potentially minor. Good luck and keep posting updates. The members on here will offer options to consider.

 

[JohnsD90]

Check the rear heater lines.

 

[brian2sun]

Coolant will leave stains and trails, especially the red kind. Look around with an extendable mirror and you will probably find it. Where under the truck is the puddle when it happens, under the engine?, the middle? Like John said, those rear heater lines could be it.

 

[4C4Runner]

Firstly, thanks guy for all the suggestions/advice. This weekend I am going to spend sometime under the truck to figure out where its coming from. I am getting a puddle of coolant some days and some days nothing is going on so I am a bit surprised but the hose connections expanding in warmer weather makes that a possibility. I started driving the thing everywhere again and its not giving me any problems really, at least not overheating... I'll look into what all was suggested and hopefully it turns out to be something minor...thanks again for taking the time to help me out.

 

[JohnsD90]

Firstly, thanks guy for all the suggestions/advice. This weekend I am going to spend sometime under the truck to figure out where its coming from. I am getting a puddle of coolant some days and some days nothing is going on so I am a bit surprised but the hose connections expanding in warmer weather makes that a possibility. I started driving the thing everywhere again and its not giving me any problems really, at least not overheating... I'll look into what all was suggested and hopefully it turns out to be something minor...thanks again for taking the time to help me out.

Yeah, my rear heater lines leak and i just looped the system before the heater lines, so now i don't have any known leaks, but i wanna follow this to see if there is anything else i should check.