The 3rd Gen All Questions Allowed Thread

[Devbot]

1) anybody know what this part of the power steering is? It's the culprit of my leak and I'm curious what involves fixing it. I assume there to be a gasket of sorts that's gone
2) if that's not feasible without replacing the rack, could I potentially use ATF with stop leak to hold off for the time being?

 

[Skulking]

1) anybody know what this part of the power steering is? It's the culprit of my leak and I'm curious what involves fixing it. I assume there to be a gasket of sorts that's gone
2) if that's not feasible without replacing the rack, could I potentially use ATF with stop leak to hold off for the time being?

Where exactly do you think it is leaking from? How sure are you that leak is coming from the power steering? From what I can see, it looks like you have fluid above the high point of the rack.

 

[Devbot]

Where exactly do you think it is leaking from? How sure are you that leak is coming from the power steering? From what I can see, it looks like you have fluid above the high point of the rack.

Right where the shiny spot stops at that bolt/flange. Pretty certain its coming from there, I have a valve cover leak too that was making the rack dirty but I also noticed a constant, slow loss of PS fluid (ATF) too - so I cleaned and dried everything, and after a day or two I found a drip leading back up to the flange pictured. Color is hard to tell since it gets dirty but seems to be reddish.

 

[Skulking]

Right where the shiny spot stops at that bolt/flange. Pretty certain its coming from there, I have a valve cover leak too that was making the rack dirty but I also noticed a constant, slow loss of PS fluid (ATF) too - so I cleaned and dried everything, and after a day or two I found a drip leading back up to the flange pictured. Color is hard to tell since it gets dirty but seems to be reddish.

No fluid runs up that high. I'd be looking for something above that point dripping down.

 

[diverscale]

Looked like this when my driver side valve cover was leaking. Check bolt torque

 

[JUICE222]

1) anybody know what this part of the power steering is? It's the culprit of my leak and I'm curious what involves fixing it. I assume there to be a gasket of sorts that's gone
2) if that's not feasible without replacing the rack, could I potentially use ATF with stop leak to hold off for the time being?

I had a leak that look similar to that on my 4runner. I found the leak was coming from the rubber piece area with yellow paint mark below the flange. Its part of the rack and pinion. I was not able to find any repair kits for it at the time. I ended up replacing the rack and pinion. I never tried adding any type of stop leak. Hope this helps.

 

[Devbot]

Looked like this when my driver side valve cover was leaking. Check bolt torque

No fluid runs up that high. I'd be looking for something above that point dripping down.

Thanks, I'm thinking I'll start with my valve covers and see if anything changes. I can see directly above the flange is some oil and how it could technically drip down. Probably better to eliminate one thing at a time anyways

 

[jsluse]

Please help. My truck has been idling real rough. I started working on different issues but noticed the coolant reservoir was empty. I put coolant in and it ran better. Next day it was empty again (not sure how low it was, there wasn’t a puddle under the truck) and it was again running poorly, especially in reverse. Tach didn’t vary, it was pretty consistent but it was a very rough idle, I added fluid (truck was cold this time) but noticed the VSC/TRACTION light was on as well as check engine. I know there is a small leak from radiator to transmission coolant, working on getting it fixed.

Would this cause the issue? I’m getting ready to do the timing belt and water pump.

2001 Limited with 252k miles.

Any help or recommendations would be great.


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[Endlessblockades]

I'd stop driving and pause all other work until you investigate this further:

I know there is a small leak from radiator to transmission coolant, working on getting it fixed.

 

[jsluse]

I'd stop driving and pause all other work until you investigate this further:

I know there is a small leak from radiator to transmission coolant, working on getting it fixed.

It is from a shit job of being installed. The clamp is too big and loose. Replacing it tonight. I assumed Firestone installed it correctly but clearly they didn’t and don’t feel comfortable with them doing it again.


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[Endlessblockades]

It is from a shit job of being installed. The clamp is too big and loose. Replacing it tonight. I assumed Firestone installed it correctly but clearly they didn’t and don’t feel comfortable with them doing it again.


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Oh, OK - I read that to possibly mean that engine coolant was leaking into the transmission cooling tank at the bottom of the radiator.

 

[Devbot]

Please help. My truck has been idling real rough. I started working on different issues but noticed the coolant reservoir was empty. I put coolant in and it ran better. Next day it was empty again (not sure how low it was, there wasn’t a puddle under the truck) and it was again running poorly, especially in reverse. Tach didn’t vary, it was pretty consistent but it was a very rough idle, I added fluid (truck was cold this time) but noticed the VSC/TRACTION light was on as well as check engine. I know there is a small leak from radiator to transmission coolant, working on getting it fixed.

Would this cause the issue? I’m getting ready to do the timing belt and water pump.

2001 Limited with 252k miles.

Any help or recommendations would be great.


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I would check your oil immediately if you havent. Do you notice any smoke from the exhaust? The intake manifold gasket could've corroded away between the coolant passage and intake port

 

[Bad Luck]

It is from a shit job of being installed. The clamp is too big and loose. Replacing it tonight. I assumed Firestone installed it correctly but clearly they didn’t and don’t feel comfortable with them doing it again.


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What does your transmission fluid and engine oil look like?

 

[jsluse]

What does your transmission fluid and engine oil look like?

Engine oil is clean, transmission fluid is clean. No smoke.


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[jsluse]

Engine oil is clean, transmission fluid is clean. No smoke.


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Also, when I put more fluid it, it runs smooth and the idle clears up.


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[jsluse]

I would check your oil immediately if you havent. Do you notice any smoke from the exhaust? The intake manifold gasket could've corroded away between the coolant passage and intake port

No smoke at all. Oil is clean and looks good.


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[Bad Luck]

Engine oil is clean, transmission fluid is clean. No smoke.


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What color is your engine oil and transmission fluid? Does the transmission fluid smell burnt?

 

[jsluse]

What color is your engine oil and transmission fluid? Does the transmission fluid smell burnt?

Fluid smells fine, looks a little dark but doesn’t smell burnt at all.


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[Bad Luck]

Fluid smells fine, looks a little dark but doesn’t smell burnt at all.


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This is like pulling teeth here... If you had to pick a color from a color wheel or paint chips at your local Lowes/Home Depot, what color would the engine oil and transmission fluid be?

 

[HiLife]

I started working on different issues but noticed the coolant reservoir was empty. I put coolant in and it ran better. Next day it was empty again (not sure how low it was, there wasn’t a puddle under the truck) I added fluid (truck was cold this time) but noticed the VSC/TRACTION light was on as well as check engine. I know there is a small leak from radiator to transmission coolant, working on getting it fixed.

It is from a shit job of being installed. The clamp is too big and loose. Replacing it tonight. I assumed Firestone installed it correctly but clearly they didn’t and don’t feel comfortable with them doing it again.

Maybe Firestone didn't properly burp the cooling system and that is where your coolant went? Before you begin your day, remove the rad cap and top off the radiator, and fill the rad reservoir to the cold fill line. Then continue to monitor for coolant loss.

If you want to pressure test the system, you could find coolant dribbling from loose clamps through this. Pressure tool could be rented from Autozone (sku-449951, 940427T). Or Orielly (67085).