06 losing cooling really fast

Just noticed that my 06 tacoma is losing coolant really fast I'm filling my coolant every time I drive the truck. Even on quick 5 minute drives. Check engine light came on and I noticed the temperature gage go almost all the way up so I had to stop and noticed I had an empty coolant reservoir. When stopped I hear a lot of gargling and notice a lot of spilling. Not sure how to go about diagnosing. Any thoughts? Thanks

 

Head gasket is probably shot. I’d put money on it.

 

Head gasket is toast. My condolences. It's a pricey fix.

 

Take your truck to a trusted mechanic and have him/her diagnose your issues.

 

Dam

 

Yup like others said head gaskets are gone. Common issue for that you Tacoma. You’ll have to decide if the truck is even worth the investment but maybe you know a trusted mechanic.

 

If you do end up doing the headgasket, consider replacement of timing chains and tensioners.

It's expensive but worth the investment.

DO NOT USE STOP LEAK

 

thanks for advice guys

 

Wait! Hold the phone! OP has a 2.7. Isn't there a coolant bypass line that goes on the 2.7?

 

Stop guessing and fill it up with water and go get a loaner radiator pressure tester (most auto stores loan them) and pressurize the system and find the leak location - anyone can do this simple and easy.

 

Riiiight... I'm sitting here picturing someone ripping their head off to do head gaskets "cuz the internet told me to!" with a cracked radiator tank... or a FUBAR water pump seal... or a rotten hose...

Maybe even start with the simple... fill it up with water cold, put the cap back on, squeeze the upper rad hose and see if you can see the leak...

 

Wouldn't a gasket leak that bad cause a lot of white smoke from the tailpipe?

 

Spilling from where?

Not being rude here. Seriously. But if you don't know, it's time to pay a pro. The diagnosis is fairly rudimentary in the mechanical world, even if the repair winds up being complex.

Want to try self diagnosis first? Good idea if you are wanting to learn. Do this

If you want to give diagnosis a shot, this is how ^^

All the folks shouting head gasket may be right. Or not. Sometimes we get a lot of exercise leaping to conclusions.

We don't know what engine you have, where the coolant spilling is coming from, etc etc. Don't start panic mode yet.

 

Could just be a radiator cap. That thing is like 10 bucks. Have someone get in the truck and rev the engine. If you see a bunch of white smoke coming from the exhaust, probably blown head gasket. Also open the coolant reservoir, you may be able to see it bubbling while the engine is running. 99% of the time that is a head gasket. Try running the truck and look for a coolant leak. Could be a loose or blown hose. Don't jump to conclusions and assume its a head gasket.

 

yup. and it's plastic. runs under the intake manifold.

 

sub'd for outcome.

 

if it was a headgasket it would be blowing white smoke like a damn chimney at that rate, you guys are always so quick so jump on the headgasket bandwagon lmfao.

 

I dont think it's been asked but is the coolant spilling out onto the ground or is it disappearing?

 

If there's a leak it should be trickling onto the ground pretty steadily at idle. I think we assumed he looked for a puddle in his driveway.

 

only other place for it to go other than the ground or exhaust is the oil. check the oil dipstick for coolant in it. a leak that big should be noticeable.