Leaking radiator or front end

Hey guys first off let me state I'm a newb at fixing things! But am eager to learn. So I was attempting to flush my radiator yesterday. I drained the coolant out, flushed with distilled water, then added the zyrex flush cleaner along with more distilled water until it was full the bottle says to run your truck for 3-6 hours for a complete flush. Yesterday I noticed leaks but I figured it was just my a/c. I drove again today and noticed it was leaking again way more then an a/c ever should. I inspected the leaks and its leaking from both driver and passengers sides of the truck. Like both corners of the radiator. The peacock valve appears to be tight and secure. I have no idea what the issue is and I need help! There are no leaks on the Upper radiator hose... Could it be a thermostat leak? Any help would be appreciated.

 

was is leaking before you flushed it?

 

No, everything was fine.

 

I looked at the front of the radiator where the grill is and the bottom 1/2 inch of the grill has water across the entire grill...

 

you could have flushed some sediments out of the radiator that was keeping it from leaking

 

I should have just left it! I was trying to be MR. Preventative maintenance and look what happens! What do you suggest I do?

 

Here are the pics where it is leaking and how the radiator grill has water on the bottom.

 

This.


But before you jump to conclusions, hose the radiator and frame area off, then take it for a drive to get it all warmed up. If there is still antifreeze there, I would guess the radiator is leaking. Changing one isn't that hard.

I plan to replace my radiator when the first coolant change is due. This has bit me in the ass a couple of times already.

Edit: You say water. Is it really water, or it is coolant? Coolant should be red or green depending on what you put in it. You know you can't run straight water in the cooling system, right?

 

I haven't taken a look at my radiator, so not to familiar. Is there a bottom hose? Is there any leakage from the hoses or clamp area? While its running Try to see where the fluid is seeping from. You could try some radiator stop leak but if the issue persists I'd recommend a new radiator. Shouldn't be to complicated to replace.

 

Other than the drain-cock and the radiator cap, what else did you open up?

Is the rad cap back on properly?

 

Yes I know it cannot be ran with just water. I have the zyrex deep cleaninng chemical in there with water. The bottle says to run the truck for 3-6 hours with it under normal driving conditions. I have checked the upper hoses, and the lower radiator hoses with no apparent leaks. The water is actually dripping off of the clamps on the hoses, but the water is coming from above the hoses which appears to be the radiator! Is it hard to take the radiator off?

 

So water is seeping from the gills? If that's the case I would suggest replacing it with a new radiator. You could try the stop leak if you can't afford to purchase one right away, but wouldn't drive for too long with a busted radiator.

 

unbolt fan shroud then unbolt the radiator and unhook the hoses top and bottom and pull it out

 

2000gttacoma how many bolts are supposed to be take off? I have the fan cover over but I'm having a hell of a time getting the radiator bolts off...

 

I think I had to take my grill off.. There are two bolts you get at from the engine bay, and two from the front

 

Okay so I took the radiator out and I cannot find any cracks or anything anywhere....

 

OK,

Back-up a minute....Did you find the definite source of your leak BEFORE pulling the radiator ????

Being the weekend I doubt you will find a shop that can "pressure test " that thing BUT if you DO NOT find the source...slow down and CALL your local Parts store and see if they "Pressure test" cooling systems...

This will be a P.I.A. BUT until you find the "LEAK" ...PLEASE stop just "pulling parts"....

IF anyone can do a pressure test you will have too remount the radiator back in your Tacoma and drive it too them...

Good luck finding,fixing and LEARNING about your Tacoma...

 

Having coolant in it should make it easy to see where its leaking. You can always catch the coolant and reuse it later.

X2 on the pressure test. Some of the better stocked parts stores have pressure testers in stock. I would think most would have a radiator in stock also. But yeah, to pressure test it yourself you're going to have to put it back in the truck.

If you have a local radiator shop, they could test it out of the truck, I'd imagine.

I don't advocate buying parts without a diagnosis, but a 10 year old radiator is old enough to be replaced as a preventative measure, in my opinion. I've seen them blow out and cause overheating, that's not a good thing.

 

First off, I'd like to say thank you for all of your prompt responses, and knowledge. I really appreciate how willing everyone here is to help. Alright guys so here is where im at. after pulling the radiator out last night, I couldn't find any cracks, leaks on the radiator or the hoses either. I called up my mechanic back home in Oregon and followed his instructions. he said put everything back together. fill it back up with distilled water take it for a spin around the block with the heater on high. I currently live in phx az, let me tell you how enjoyable that was! I got home and to my astonishment my truck wasntt leaking a drop of anything. so I drained the water and filled it back up with coolant and took that hotter then hell spin around the block again. I just woke up and my garage is squeaky clean. my guy says he thinks water may have been caught in the fins of the radiator.he says they can hold alot of water, and when I initially poured water into the radiator I did spill a fair amount. I hope that's what it is but im not letting my gaurd down. if I have any further issues, pressure test it is! thanks again men!

 

So here I am again coolant all over my garage floor. I said screw it I'm going to have a mechanic check it out! The did a pressure test and I had a hole in the phins on the fan side ;S So I'm getting that replaced now... Along with new hoses. The mechanic seems great, has very good reviews on garagefly and has only had his business open for about 7 months. I'm also having him do my water pump, and timing belt at the same time. $$$$$