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Radiator Help: Leak?

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by ZachPrerunner, Jan 9, 2017.

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  1. Jan 9, 2017 at 3:20 PM
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    ZachPrerunner

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    ZachPrerunner [OP] Sometimes she goes, sometimes it doesn’t

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    Okay so today while under the hood I noticed my radiator over flow doesn't have any coolant. I had the dealer do the flush at my 100k mile service interval. There's no leaks in the garage where I park. I know I need to use distilled water to fill it back up. How will I know if it's leaking?
     
    ZachPrerunner, Jan 9, 2017
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  2. Jan 9, 2017 at 3:25 PM
    #2
    ZachPrerunner

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    ZachPrerunner [OP] Sometimes she goes, sometimes it doesn’t

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    Radiator Cap taken off, no coolant at the top. Oh, I'm at 120k if that helps

    IMG_0453.jpg
     
    ZachPrerunner, Jan 9, 2017
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  3. Jan 9, 2017 at 3:35 PM
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    Mush Mouse

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    Mush Mouse Club Soda Not Seals

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    its a Toyota truck and that's all the modifications needed
    when they did the flush they probably didn't burp it to get out the air pockets, they probably just drained the radiator refilled and sent it out to you unless they used a machine to flush it. I would just top off the radiator and resovoir and call it good if u a had leak you would be noticing it. you can probably use zerex import antifreeze to top it or better just take it back to the dealer with your receipt they might just top it off for free since you had the service done there
     
    Mush Mouse, Jan 9, 2017
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  4. Jan 9, 2017 at 4:01 PM
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    ZachPrerunner

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    ZachPrerunner [OP] Sometimes she goes, sometimes it doesn’t

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    If I went ahead and put distilled water in there, would that be alright? I just didn't want to chance anything since I drive 30+ miles a day
     
    ZachPrerunner, Jan 9, 2017
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  5. Jan 9, 2017 at 4:03 PM
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    Mush Mouse

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    Mush Mouse Club Soda Not Seals

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    its a Toyota truck and that's all the modifications needed
    I did that tomy Honda accord, I refilled the radiator with 1 gallon antifreeze and was short the amount for the resovoir, so I picked up a gallon of distilled water and used it and its been fine and it eventually mixed with rest of the coolant. id do it
     
    Mush Mouse, Jan 9, 2017
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  6. Jan 9, 2017 at 4:08 PM
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    KenLyns

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    KenLyns 8.75" Third Member

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    Can't tell from the pic how low the coolant level is in the radiator. How far below freezing does it get in TN? You can get away with water if there's no freezing temps.
    Only reliable way to check for leaks is with a pressure tester (may be able to borrow one at AutoZone).
     
    KenLyns, Jan 9, 2017
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  7. Jan 9, 2017 at 4:19 PM
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    ZachPrerunner

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    ZachPrerunner [OP] Sometimes she goes, sometimes it doesn’t

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    It doesn't normally get below freezing here. This past week it did, but only for a few days. I'm going to drive around and see if it gets lower. If so, I'll stop by the dealer and see if they'll top it off.
     
    ZachPrerunner, Jan 9, 2017
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  8. Jan 9, 2017 at 4:23 PM
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    Pickeledpigsfeet

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    Pickeledpigsfeet Well-Known Member

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    Go get some Zerex Asian coolant from any parts store. Dont put straight water in it. Then get under neath it when you get a chance and look up at the underside of the waterpump. Look for pink crud anywhere on the timing cover, pan , or block.
     
    Pickeledpigsfeet, Jan 9, 2017
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  9. Jan 9, 2017 at 4:33 PM
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    george3

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    george3 Well-Known Member

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    george3, Jan 9, 2017
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  10. Jan 9, 2017 at 4:47 PM
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    ZachPrerunner

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    ZachPrerunner [OP] Sometimes she goes, sometimes it doesn’t

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    I filled with distilled water already to see if it was leaking on the way home. Should I siphon it out tomorrow and put that in there?
     
    ZachPrerunner, Jan 9, 2017
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  11. Jan 9, 2017 at 4:52 PM
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    Mush Mouse

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    its a Toyota truck and that's all the modifications needed
    I would just leave it since you topped off, it will mix with antifreeze in the radiator, it shouldn't reduce the antifreezes effectiveness too much, just keep an eye on it to see if it goes down anymore
     
    Mush Mouse, Jan 9, 2017
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  12. Jan 9, 2017 at 4:57 PM
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    ZachPrerunner

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    ZachPrerunner [OP] Sometimes she goes, sometimes it doesn’t

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    It went down a few centimeters on my drive home which was around ten miles. I'm sure the radiator was a tad low as well, so I should be in the clear? I'll keep a check every few days. I figured if it were leaking, I would notice the marks in the garage.
     
    ZachPrerunner, Jan 9, 2017
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  13. Jan 9, 2017 at 5:03 PM
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    Mush Mouse

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    Mush Mouse Club Soda Not Seals

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    its a Toyota truck and that's all the modifications needed
    if your not seeing any antifreeze on your garage floor or anywhere inside the engine bay area leaking your good, there was probably a air pocket after the flush, once you start using the heater it opens up the reat of the system and purges out the air leaving a void of no antifreeze
     
    Mush Mouse, Jan 9, 2017
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  14. Jan 9, 2017 at 5:06 PM
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    ZachPrerunner

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    ZachPrerunner [OP] Sometimes she goes, sometimes it doesn’t

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    That's what I was thinking, let me grab some pics and post them on here
     
    ZachPrerunner, Jan 9, 2017
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  15. Jan 9, 2017 at 5:23 PM
    #15
    ZachPrerunner

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    ZachPrerunner [OP] Sometimes she goes, sometimes it doesn’t

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    Here's what I got so far

    IMG_0454.jpg
    IMG_0455.jpg
    IMG_0457.jpg
    IMG_0459.jpg
    IMG_0461.jpg
    IMG_0463.jpg
     
    ZachPrerunner, Jan 9, 2017
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  16. Jan 9, 2017 at 5:25 PM
    #16
    ZachPrerunner

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    ZachPrerunner [OP] Sometimes she goes, sometimes it doesn’t

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    Some more

    IMG_0466.jpg
    IMG_0468.jpg
     
    ZachPrerunner, Jan 9, 2017
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  17. Jan 9, 2017 at 5:29 PM
    #17
    ZachPrerunner

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    ZachPrerunner [OP] Sometimes she goes, sometimes it doesn’t

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    ZachPrerunner, Jan 9, 2017
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  18. Jan 9, 2017 at 5:33 PM
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    Mush Mouse

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    Mush Mouse Club Soda Not Seals

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    its a Toyota truck and that's all the modifications needed
    I don't see shit,
     
    Mush Mouse, Jan 9, 2017
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  19. Jan 9, 2017 at 5:35 PM
    #19
    ZachPrerunner

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    ZachPrerunner [OP] Sometimes she goes, sometimes it doesn’t

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    You mean like you can't see anything because of the pics or you don't see anything wrong? :oops:
     
    ZachPrerunner, Jan 9, 2017
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  20. Jan 9, 2017 at 5:37 PM
    #20
    Mush Mouse

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    Mush Mouse Club Soda Not Seals

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    its a Toyota truck and that's all the modifications needed
    nothing wrong, you can put old newspaper under the radiator area overnight if theres antifreeze stains, but I doubt it. just watch the resovoir see if it continues to go down
     
    Mush Mouse, Jan 9, 2017
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