What Have You Done To Your 2nd Gen Tacoma Today?

My truck sprung a leak on this pipe. Its in front of radiator. anyone know what it is? green liquid came out. can I just patch and repair later on?

 

My morning...

 

I think that’s the AC refrigerant line. The black cap is the refill port. Don’t use the defrost setting or AC to keep the compressor from running and take it to an AC repair shop.

 

oh crap that sucks. I assume everyone is ok?

 

Resurfaced my headlights. Made a HUGE difference in visibility

 

Looks Great.
Best,
Brandon

 

Yes everyone is ok...thanks!

 

Before you do anything else try to pinpoint and mark the leak area. Sometimes they get damaged simply by rubbing against something. Sometimes they can crack by simply bending them. Once you pinpoint the leak you can just unplug the connector on the compressor. When you get a replacement line make sure you get the o-rings with it. Simple job just swapping lines. Unplugging that will stop pressurizing the a/c and give you time to deal with it. When you replace that line would be a good idea to replace the receiver/dryer at the same time. Anytime you have an opening in the a/c system, for a long period, it is wise to replace that r/d as it accumulates moisture (basically a bag of rocks inside of it). You will have to purge and refill the a/c system with freon-oil mix anyway. Being in warm CALI you may want to get it done soon and maybe save the receiver/dryer. Sometimes, although rare, the schrader valve under the black cap gets stuck. If that is where it leaks take something and push on the valve and see if it pops up enough that is closes off the leak. Wear safety glasses. Freon is blinding.

 

No no no, don’t listen to this guy. Don’t just open up the system. The refrigerant has to be evacuated properly. Since OP had to ask what that line is, he should definitely take it to a shop. It doesn’t break the bank.

 

Not telling him to open the system. Just check that the Schrader is not leaking. I have worked on car a/c since the 1970's. Replacing that line is easy after the system is evacuated. If it already leaked there is probably nothing much in the system. You don't have to spend hundreds at a shop to replace a $50 line or a receiver/dryer. If system has leaked out then it is cheap and easy to make the repairs yourself.

 

You can see where the leak most likely is coming from, after you fix/get it fixed, put a piece of rubber hose over it to protect that spot in the future

 

I don't understand the "O God you gotta take it to a shop" mentality. I taught my kids to fix and repair things yourself. Take the labor money you saved and buy yourself something like tools. Don't pay shops $180-$200 an hour for something that you can fix yourself. It is not rocket science.
My neighbor is like that. Takes it to the shop to replace a battery. He doesn't have the skills to change a license plate. So some unskilled or non-mechanical people should take cars to a shop. The rest of us enjoy saving the labor money.

 

Only took 250K miles, but I finally flushed my brake fluid

 

Here's the corollary. You buy a $20k motorcycle and decide you should learn how to change the oil. You buy all the components required to do the oil change. You drain the oil, clean the drain plug, install a new crush washer, remove and replace the oil filter. Then ride off to check your handy work only to seize the engine a couple blocks down the road. You have the bike towed to the dealership and tell the service department "idk what happened. It just stopped!". But since you bought all the supplies at that same dealership, they ask and sheepishly, you're forced to admit the oil is sitting on the bench where you left it nullifying your warranty claim. The motor replacement cost for a short block is not cheap.

I can tell you similar stories about valve adjustments, battery replacement, brake and wheel work, shotgun parts replacement. All things people have done to save money that in the end, cost them more than had then taken it to a mechanic.

Not everyone feels comfortable or even should work on their vehicles.

 

I feel personally attacked!

 

it leaked so I can assume its been emptied. already ordered new line. gonna take to shop to refill, gonna look at new receiver/dryer,<- is this same as a/c condenser?. Thanks folks

 

I can tell you similar stories from shoddy repairs at dealerships. 1st hand experiences with dumbazz "mechanics" at my local Toyota dealer. Seems like most mechanics have less experience than most of us doing our own repairs. Forgetting to put oil in after an oil change. Seen it happen at both Walmart and a car dealer. There is a huge difference in cutting corners and competent repairs. 75% of shops use the cheapest parts with less warranty than you get buying your own parts. I say buy quality parts and do it yourself and take the savings and buy a nice meal for the family. Never heard of anyone, in my 60'some years, forgetting to put oil in their vehicle during an oil change. I am sure there is that 1% idiot that has done it somewhere.

 

Jesus these things are way more beefy than I thought!

 

Check your local laws. Here in MN the light from fogs needs to be 4 inchs lower then the center of the lamp at 25 ft FIRC.

 

Did you do cerakote? If you didn’t, I highly recommend it and encourage you to do it! Cheers!