coolant leak

on my 97, 2.7l i have a slight coolant leak on the upper, passenger, rear engine block. a while ago i replaced the tempture sending unit that is roughly in the same location....so i checked and rechecked the sending unit and it looks dry. the coolant level in the resevor is at the full line and the level in the radiator was full not quite to the cap....it is now out of eyesight. could it be possible that when i refilled the coolant i overfilled?

 

thats very possible.

best way to check for a coolant leak...that i have found.....drive around for a while then park...and put some clean carbboard under the engine compartment. that way, you'll see if you have any leaks, and you can go from there.

 

Or even a white peice of paper, shows up easier!

 

^^^ Cardboard won't blow away super easily though. Tape the paper if you're going to use it instead.

 

found the coolant leak, however it's not what i expected so i still need guidance....please look at the picts and tell me what am i looking at and how to i fix it.......www.tacomaworld.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/135682/cat/500][/url]www.tacomaworld.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/135684/cat/500][/url]

 

what part is that? i cant really tell....

 

the fsm says it's the water valve control cable....

 

maybe its the cable fitting that has gone bad. what i would do is clean it off really well and dry it up, and let truck run and see if it is coming from a hole in the cable...or from the fitting and then get what you need. im gonna bet the fitting has gone bad.

 

i cleaned it, let it run.....it you look at the picts above the arrow there's a small screw, i believe that's where i'm getting the leak.....i've looked in fsm and haynes and did not find a how to fix or take apart...i did try and tighten the screw but it was tight....i'm just checking to see what is now involved with replacing that part or if anybody has done this job....thanks

 

Thats the valve that regulates the coolant to the heater core. Its leaking from the saft inside the valve under the screw that you see.

 

makes sense....ever have to replace it??

 

that looks like a easy remove and replace. the 2 lines and valve switch. then the mounting bolt.

Then just the coolant bleed..

 

yes....i'm checking on the price of the valve switch from toyota.....any advice on the coolant bleed?

 

take off the rad cap and run your heater on high for about 15 mins.. rev the eng every few mins to get out the air bubbles..

 

will do....thanks for the help.