Heater core!

Found a few drops of ante-freeze on my passenger floor mat. Looks like I'll be doing a heater core. Anyone have any tips???

 

Are you sure it's antifreeze?

 

Sadly yes! It's orange... Owned the truck for about 6 months and nothing but this morning found a few drops on the pass floor mat. looks like it's dripping from the heater box above.

 

I don't think tacomas really ever have issues with that. Has coolant ever been changed?

 

Fluid is clean and orange! Only had the truck for 6 months, but seems to have been well maintained

 

Are you using Dexcool in the system? It shouldn't cause this type of failure, but nonetheless you should be using the proper OEM coolant from Toyota.

Well start taking the center dash apart so you can get a better view of the problem. Like it was said before, its not really a common issue. The FSM hopefully should have a article about this.

 

orange antifreeze is either conventional long life, or GM's dexcool antifreeze btw.

toyota has a pink antifreeze. which may turn orange when rust is present. rust is noticeable. if not rust in droplets and its orange, you probably have the wrong coolant.

 

I'd call it red rather than pink. VW/Audi uses pink coolant.

 

Sounds like GM coolant (Dexcool is generally orange), get some green universal or pay for the Toyota swill it doesn't really matter just get the Dexcool out. I changed the heater core on my Taco and it was a 6.5hr job with no manual and limited light/cold garage. So I imagine one could probably do it faster, it was rather easy overall though and dismantling the HVAC system is pretty easy too.

Just a heads up if you want to do it the easiest and fastest you have to disconnect the A/C lines (if your truck has A/C) and remove the evaporator core box first to get to the heater core box easier as it was designed to come out that direction. This is after you remove the whole dash cover and such...not as hard as it sounds. If you get hung up on any part of it gimme a PM or post in here and tag me, I did mine right around this time last year and it is still working great and blowing hot as hell.

Also I got a Spectra brand heater core from Rock Auto, the OEM heater core at the dealer was too much money and weirdly it is made out of copper (just strange because the radiator is aluminum and when the two are present in a system galvanic corrosion can occur). The Spectra brand one was aluminum though and it was a direct fit for 50ish dollars. Gimme a holler if you need more info!

 

Thanks for the tips! I am planning on using that same heater core and will dump all that orange anti-freeze. Hope our NY weather holds out cause this will probably happen outside!

 

Got it mostly apart but the dash cover is being stubborn on the passenger side. Is the airbag supposed to come with it or stay behind?

 

If the heater hoses clamp on the inside of the fire wall it could be one of them dripping. ??maybe?

 

Wishful thinking! The clamps are under the hood, and dry

 

Yes, wasn't it! My Tacoma is in my shop & I didn't want to walk out there. One thing I do tho when I install a new heater core. First thing, set your air compressor at 15# pressure Then pressure up the new one & hold it under water & look carefully for a leak. You don't have to ask me why...I put one in a Corvette & it leaked. You have to completely remove the dash, it was a S O #@$%&.

 

Pressure test is a great idea and will do that!
They built the whole truck around the heater core!!!

 

unfortunately, while its not an extremely hard repair, its a very involved job.

this should help
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSM3OyeMlWg

 

Got it done today!!! Was able to get it out on the drivers side. Didn't have to remove the A/C evaporator box. What a PITA!!!

 

Yowza!

 

Jesus christ.

 

Looks about as bad as doing the heater core on a Volvo 240. Jeez I really hope mine never goes. Nice job getting it done