2010 Tacoma 2.7 l Coolant Bypass Pipe

Hi all. It's been a good while since I've posted on Tacoma World to say the least. I bought my Tacoma in 2010 new and now 12 years later have about 104,000 miles on it. No major issues (knock on wood) so far except for new tires, oil changes and regular maintenance. What I have been keeping an eye on is the plastic coolant bypass pipe. So far, so good on that issue. But I'm getting a bit leary of taking the truck on long trips. I haven't seen any pink crusting or leaks, but I wonder if I should get ahead of this potential problem or just wait and let it ride. I still don't understand why plastic of all materials for a pipe that runs hot coolant next to a hot engine block. But that's just me. I wonder if the design is good and Toyota had some defective bypass pipes get by or that the plastic design is a big mistake. Anyway, thought I'd get some thoughts on the subject.

TK

 

In my opinion using plastic for cooling system components is a terrible idea, all vehicles that do start having problems with deterioration when they get to be more than 5-10 years old.
I see vehicles all the time that aren't that old where plastic coolant fittings just crumble, Toyota stuff seems to use better quality materials than most but even they become brittle over time and can fail suddenly.

Fortunately the 2nd gen Tacoma's have very little plastic cooling system parts compared to most stuff but that coolant pipe on the 4cyl trucks is one of those weak points, I'd address it before it becomes a problem.

 

There are threads on this forum that lists the part number for the metal replacement part. Here is one: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...005-2-7-with-224k-miles.775372/#post-27714943

 

Yes, I agree totally that plastic is a terrible idea for cooling system components (and that includes radiators) in any vehicle. I'm leaning toward getting ahead of this potential problem. I do some of the DIY maintenance on my truck. Dropping the intake manifold to replace the bypass looks a bit challenging, but doable. There is a ton of information here to help in this project and that may help in my decision.

 

Hey, thanks for the information.

 

My truck is 14 years old and nearing 180k...I have been contemplating doing this. I took it in to have the water pump changed at the dealership almost a year ago, I asked if they would also change the pipe for me. They said it would be about 3 weeks to get one in and there's no reason to change it if its still working fine.

Sounds like they just didn't want my business?

I see it as a weak point on an otherwise bullet proof engine. Cheaper to replace a pipe than replace an engine but what do I know...

 

Yep. That bypass pipe is a weak link. But I agree that replacing the pipe is cheaper than replacing or repairing an engine and/or being stranded.

 

I've been going over posts here and looking at you-tube videos on replacing the coolant bypass tube. There seems to be several ways to work this problem. One way had the guy loosen the intake manifold and slide the old pipe out and sliding the new one in. Another video had the guy cut the new metal pipe and clamping on heater hose between the end pieces of the pipe before installing and didn't touch the manifold. And there are videos of the complete removal of the manifold before installing the new bypass pipe. Any thoughts on what method is best, or easiest or whatever. How pervasive is this coolant bypass problem? I'm sure some here have had this problem and I would be interested in their experiences. Right now, I haven't seen any leaks at the bypass pipe on my truck, but I do keep a watch on it.

 

I bought the metal pipe from my dealer, from what I read on tacomaworld it seems above my skillset so ill have to find a dealer or shop to do it (done all my work up to this point)

 

After checking my 2014 the pipe appears to be metal. So I am going to assume toyota remedied the situation at some point.

 

Glad this is one issue that you won't have to wonder about. In my opinion, this bypass pipe should have been made out of metal from the drawing board to the first engine using this bypass design.

 

It's possible the engineers intended it to be metal but once the bean counters at toyota got hold of it the pipe became a cheap piece of plastic.

 

Alright, I know what I’m doing in the next 2 months. 167k

 

I just discovered a coolant leak in my 2006 Taco. Took it to One Stop Care Care about a mile from the house. Didn't want to drive it 15 miles to the Toyota South Atlanta dealer. It has the original plastic coolant bypass pipe which is where the leak is. Right where it attaches to the thermostat housing. Went to the dealer to order a new one along with gasket. Trying to make sure they give me the right parts so I don't have to go back and forth between the local shop and the dealership every time the local mechanic says it's not the right part. Looks like they will have to remove the intake manifold and since they're going to be inside I'm having them replace the thermostat while they're at it. Labor is going to eat me alive but the parts were about $170. The replacement pipe is metal but I think the gasket type has changed. It's not a flat gasket with two bolt holes but just a small round rubber ring. Toyota parts website says it fits so here goes. I've got 105,000 miles on the 2006 and it's a great truck but between the local dealerships in Jonesboro and McDonough it's a nightmare when I have to get serious work done. They just don't have experienced mechanics anymore. TacomaWorld has saved my a** several times when I saw posts here with the same specific trouble. Keep those experiences coming.

 

Good luck and hope it turns out good without too much pain in the wallet. I've got 104,000 on my 2010 Tacoma. I do keep a watch on that bypass bugger for any hint of leaks in my truck.

 

Hopefully you bought the flat metal gasket, as that one goes with the updated metal coolant bypass pipe (the o-ring was the old gasket, made to fit into a groove in the plastic bypass pipe).

 

It takes the flat gasket. The o-ring is for the old plastic pipe.