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Coolant Problem...

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by crazyasu45, Jun 3, 2009.

  1. Jun 3, 2009 at 9:21 AM
    #1
    crazyasu45

    crazyasu45 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    So I go to leave work yesterday...fire my truck up and drive 3 min down the street...noticed at the lights smoke was comming out the engine bay...it smelled sweet so I knew it was coolant...pulled over immediatly and shut off my truck...popped the hood coolant was pouring out the bottom of the truck...before I left work I checked the overflow tank and it was at full...when I pulled over it was almost at low...I just put a thousand dollars into this truck a month a go for regular maintence tune up...Timing belt...Water pump...Thermostat...All belts...Oil change...etc...any ideas what it could be...?
     
  2. Jun 3, 2009 at 9:24 AM
    #2
    98tacoma27

    98tacoma27 is going full "SANDWICH" Moderator

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    Some stuff. Not a lot, just some.
    Where exactly is it leaking?

    It could be a blown hose, a leaking water pump, cracked radiator, etc.
     
  3. Jun 3, 2009 at 9:24 AM
    #3
    bobwilson1977

    bobwilson1977 Well-Known Member

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    Hard to tell without seeing it in person. It could be a leaky hose, a hose either going from the radiator to the block, or the hoses coming from the heater core or throttle body, or perhaps even the water pump. If you can fill it back up and run it at idle until it warms up, see if you can pinpoint where the coolant is actually coming from. It could be just as minor as a leaking hose, which would be a 5 minute fix.
     
  4. Jun 3, 2009 at 9:26 AM
    #4
    Jester243

    Jester243 all I wanted was a god dang picture of a hotdog...

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    some of this, a little of that
    Pray for a leaking hose or clamp, this will be a quick and cheap fix
     
  5. Jun 3, 2009 at 9:29 AM
    #5
    crazyasu45

    crazyasu45 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Didn't see any leaks from the rad...overflow tank...or hoses...seems like it was comming from inside the engine...could it be a cracked head...?
     
  6. Jun 3, 2009 at 9:38 AM
    #6
    98tacoma27

    98tacoma27 is going full "SANDWICH" Moderator

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    Some stuff. Not a lot, just some.
    Is it coming down the front of the engine? Did you lose a freeze plug?
     
  7. Jun 3, 2009 at 9:38 AM
    #7
    Jester243

    Jester243 all I wanted was a god dang picture of a hotdog...

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    some of this, a little of that
    ^^ Beat me to it :laugh:
     
  8. Jun 3, 2009 at 9:40 AM
    #8
    bobwilson1977

    bobwilson1977 Well-Known Member

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    Is it a 4 banger of V6?
     
  9. Jun 3, 2009 at 9:42 AM
    #9
    98tacoma27

    98tacoma27 is going full "SANDWICH" Moderator

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    Some stuff. Not a lot, just some.
    I was assuming 6 since he said timing belt was changed, but good question.
     
  10. Jun 3, 2009 at 9:49 AM
    #10
    bobwilson1977

    bobwilson1977 Well-Known Member

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    duh! My bad. I should have read it more carefully. If its a V6 and its the water pump, that's going to be a royal pain in the ass. Then again, if its the water pump and it was just replaced, then the shop installed it incorrectly and should re-install it.

    A 4 banger would be cake since the water pump is right there on the front.
     
  11. Jun 3, 2009 at 9:55 AM
    #11
    crazyasu45

    crazyasu45 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    It's a V6 3.4L...I didn't see any coolant spills around the rad...hoses...overflow tank...or the front of the engine...more so comming out the bottom near the back and seems like it only loses fluid when the engine is running...
     
  12. Jun 3, 2009 at 10:03 AM
    #12
    bobwilson1977

    bobwilson1977 Well-Known Member

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    Makes me think its the heater core since hoses run to it through the firewall. Get out a flashlight and do some more "research".
     
  13. Jun 3, 2009 at 10:04 AM
    #13
    98tacoma27

    98tacoma27 is going full "SANDWICH" Moderator

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    Some stuff. Not a lot, just some.
    Ah, I think (but not certain) there is a hose back there for the intake. Look and see if it is bust/loose. I have never owned a 3.4L so take it with a grain of salt.
     
  14. Jun 3, 2009 at 10:19 AM
    #14
    bobwilson1977

    bobwilson1977 Well-Known Member

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    98Taco is talking about several little hoses that connect to the underside of the throttle body. One or two of them connect to the coolant system.
     
  15. Jun 3, 2009 at 1:25 PM
    #15
    crazyasu45

    crazyasu45 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    We have a winner!!!

    Thanks guys...for all your input and quick replies:cool:
     
  16. Jun 4, 2009 at 2:49 PM
    #16
    crazyasu45

    crazyasu45 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Update...turned out to be the heater core plug popped out...is this a common problem on these vehicles?...i got it fixed...then drove it home...started leaking coolant again...looks like its around the same area but only a small puddle now as before it was pouring out the bottom near the back of the engine...
     
  17. Jun 4, 2009 at 2:56 PM
    #17
    98tacoma27

    98tacoma27 is going full "SANDWICH" Moderator

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    Some stuff. Not a lot, just some.
    It's the first that I have heard of it.
     
  18. Jun 4, 2009 at 3:32 PM
    #18
    crazyasu45

    crazyasu45 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I think my heater core is on its way out...the shop said they were going to replace it but couldn't find the part in town so just replaced the plug...
     
  19. Jun 4, 2009 at 7:38 PM
    #19
    crazyasu45

    crazyasu45 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    My mistake...it was the block heater plug...not the heater core...is this a common problem?...the shop said it rusted out over the years...
     
  20. Jun 5, 2009 at 1:10 PM
    #20
    crazyasu45

    crazyasu45 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Upadate...shop put a new plug in...drove my truck home started leaking again...took it back in the next day...they put another plug in...drove it to work...started leaking again...3rd time in the shop for the same problem...they said they were really sorry for the inconvience and are going to use a special sealant this time...what a hassle...
     

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