2003 Tacoma 2.7l Coolant Leak…

My 2003 Tacoma with the 2.7l has developed a coolant leak that leaves a nice spot on the driveway once I park, which is how I noticed.

It looks like the coolant is leaking behind the water pump housing somewhere and the running down behind the A/C compressor mounting bracket all the way down to the oil pan area. I know there is some crud on the radiator hose in that area, but it is not dripping from that connection. See attached pics. This is on the passenger side of the truck. This is the highest point where I can see wetness.

 

Thats not the water pump....its on the other side....

first I'd try is replacing that radiator hose......it might be leaking from inner plys splitting on the end of the hose.....

there is not much there.....other than the temp sensor......and a hose...


UV dye would allow you to pin point quick.......

 

Isn’t that round piece in front of the leak the left side of the water pump housing?

I have some Dye coming tomorrow, that was my thought as well to find the leak quickly. I will report back what I find.

 

Kinda looks like seepage around that sensor......
but that could be the hose too.....

Thats the hot hose.....and wears faster than any other on the truck...

that one I replace every 3 yrs or so.....


no matter what....it wont kill you to buy a new gates radiator hose....
live a little....

if your hard up.....I can send u one of my left overs.......

 

There’s a drain for the block over there too, though it’s farther back.

Looking forward. Block drain is middle left, sensor is oil pressure

 

If you had a head gasket leak......it would be right there in that photo....
where the head meets the block............

uv dye would tell you right off......

 

Okay guys a bit of an update. I am definitely losing coolant. Here are a couple pics of the area and you can see the leak.



Now I took some brake cleaner and gave the area a good spray down. And after adding more coolant and driving it a bit you can see where the leak is beginning in the pic below, this area was completely clean:



I know there is a some crusty dried up coolant around the radiator hose, but it is not dripping or currently leaking. I did make sure of that.

The truck runs fine with the exception of a slight miss At highway speeds. Only happens sometimes.not sure if it’s related or not. No Coolant in oil and no excessive smoke etc. thoughts? Leaking head gasket?

 

If there's crud building up on the hose, doesn't that suggest the leak is coming from higher up? Are you sure there isn't a trail leading higher? It might spray around a bit more at speed compared to when the truck is sitting and build up in some of those other places.

I thought I remember from replacing my coolant recently that there's a block drain in that area, in kind of a hard place to see or reach. Maybe sneak your phone in there with video recording and see if it's coming from there?

 

Looks to me your could spring for a new hose and clamp.....
.....if those are not worth your time .......

wire brush it all off before you pull the new clamp/hose on....