What is this leaking part?

See the attached picture: the rubber line that goes into the top left (drivers) side appears to be leaking. That side of the rad is quite wet. I'm told this might be transmission fluid? If so what's the most likely leak source? Line? Fitting? Threads? Radiator?

 

My ac line is leaking in tye same area it is the line that is close to the battery

 

Picture is too small for me to see.

 

Clean it thoroughly then dust the area with talc or corn starch. Drive for a bit to let the fluid seep then it will be easier to spot the leak source with the powder.

 

that is your auto tranny cooler line

get that fixed before it blows

it may be the line it may be the radiator fitting it needs to be
pressure tested to be sure

or just by a whole new radiator and toss it in much cheaper than a blown tranny

 

Uploaded a better pic.

Sounds like I gotta get moving on this fix. Been driving the truck for around a month with that leak!

Should I get some aftermarket transmission fluid or go OEM?

If I need to replace either the hose or fitting, how will I know the part number to tell the dealer?

 

Just called toyota dealer:
$4.73 for a new clamp
$97.35 for a new hose

Hose is kinda pricy but whatever. Here's the kicker though... the fitting is not available! The only way to get one through Toyota is to buy a new radiator!!!!!! $652!!

Gonna check it out tonight... hope it's just leaking from the hose or something!

BTW, here's a stock photo of a (supposedly) tacoma radiator. The leak I'm having is from the top left fitting:
http://www.carsteering.com/data/all_images/RAD-221-3139-1100-Map.jpg

 

Doubt it's the fitting, unless its the fitting that has an o-ring on it, in that case change the o-ring. I'd change the hose and clamp, clean it up and call it a day. Keep an eye on it for a few days. It seems to be weeping more than leaking. and yes, it is a auto trans. cooler line from what i can see.

 

Well I pulled everything off and both the hose and clip appear to be fine. I cleaned up the oil spills/sweat and then proceeded to drain/fill the AT fluid. Only about 1.75 liters drained out!

So after filling the transmission, as I started the truck to let it warm up and immediately I could see leakage. I took a photo which appear to show fluid leaking from the hose... I didn't notice any cracks in the hose so maybe it's just the clamp.

Gonna try a screw type clamp.

 

It appears that your picture is upside down yes? I would get a good screw clamp of the proper size and tighten it down, then clean it up and recheck.

 

Yes the orientation is kinda messed up. It should be turned 90 degrees counter clockwise. When I uploaded the attachment the picture was automatically rotated into landscape orientation. Not sure why.

Just waiting for Parts Source to open up now...

 

fyi you should be able to find an aftermarket radiator for around 200 bucks

but looks like you don't need one if it is the hose

 

Well, it's not the clamp. I got a screw type clamp, tightened it down as far as it would go and it still leaks. I ho early can't find anything wrong with the hose... But I guess replacing that is cheaper than the rad so I'll give it a shot. Is there another source for this part other than the dealer?

 

Looking at the pictures it seems that those fittings may be installed into the radiator in a fashion that is Not Removable. ( Think not threaded in ). That may be just the way it appears as it does have a hex on it, maybe it will still screw out. It could have an O-ring behind the flange that is leaking...

I was going to suggest that you disconnect the hose and screw the fitting out of the radiator and go to a hydraulics Shop where they make hoses and get a barbed fitting the same size or get an O-Ring and place it on the fitting where it screws into the radiator.

My only worry would be that IF you decided to unscrew the fitting and the housing breaks you will be stuck buying a new radiator. Remove the hose and gently try to unscrew the fitting from the radiator. I am sure someone makes a fitting that will work or maybe it is an o-ring seal.

 

I'm pretty sure the fitting is threaded into the rad. I will have to take it off, take measurements and then shop around since I can't drive my truck without it. I have a feeling there won't be anything available locally since its a metric part.

 

You don't have metric parts in Canada?

 

LOL! The whole country has been metric since 1971.

The Liberal federal government of Pierre Trudeau first began implementing metrication in Canada in 1970 with a government agency dedicated to implementing the project, the Metric Commission, being established in 1971. By the mid-1970s, metric product labelling was introduced.

Look a little harder, my friend. You can get fittings/fasteners/bolts at BROFASCO, FASTENAL, Granger, or any plumbing and a real auto supply. HH has a good selection of pressure fittings. Cheap too! Any tranny or AC shop will have them as well.

Forget CT, the clerk will ask you for the colour of your truck and if it has a steering wheel.

Good luck!

 

... and that fitting looks like it's threaded into a boss in the rad. It's leaking from the union. Like others, I believe their may be an O ring behind it.

How have you made out so far?

 

I would also make sure the tubing in the radiator itself is not plugged. Should not be a lot of pressure at that fitting since it is just flow through.....from tranny through radiator and back. That is unless the flow is blocked. I think I read that the flow is about a quart every 10 seconds...but that is flow. If you impede that flow with a blockage you can up the pressure greatly at the fitting.

 

I've gotten a chance to look into this a bit more and found a few things upon removing the fitting for the first time:

- The fitting is actually very soft, almost raw, aluminum!
- The previous owner stripped the hell out of the fitting
- The o-ring on the fitting seems to be in good shape
- The fitting screws into what appears to be a metal insert in the plastic rad housing
- The metal insert moves!!!

It seems that the entire assembly seals by using the threads on the fitting and the washer around the fitting to 'press' the metal insert against the rad housing to create a seal. Because the fitting threads are toast, its not possible to generate enough clamping force to get a good seal.

While the insert threads are fine (it's some kind of ferrous metal), I tried taking the fitting to a bunch of different places with no luck.... I'm kinda tired of looking and a new rad is about $100...... I've probably wasted more than $100 of my time looking around for the damn fitting.

*edit*

Here's another thought. What's REALLY frustrating is that someone CLEARLY designed the assembly so that if you crank down too hard, the aluminum fitting goes without damaging the metal insert... but then toyota won't sell the insert. WTF is that?!