Upgraded bypass pipe solution for coolant leak?

Of course he can do what he wants, I never suggested otherwise.

But, when giving that as advice to other people, I feel it is prudent to ask why someone would differ from the manufacturer recommended plan. I didn’t get a great answer honestly, was hoping for at least for some sort of measurement to tell me why one should cut the schedule in half and spend twice as much on maintenance than is probably necessary.

 

Is yours leaking?

 

Personal preference for me. Plus I do my own work and get discounted pricing from local Toyota dealers. I’m a collision repair tech. I don’t have any data to back up my opinion but it’s just what I do

 

It literally only takes 10 seconds to check on it with a flashlight.

Lay under the passenger side, look up toward and pass the catalytic converter, above the bellhousing. If you see pink residue, you got the leak, if not, move on.

 

The Toyota Extra Long Life(pink) coolant is good for 100k, many goes for 200k. Mine occurred at 40k.

Plastic doesn't care about the ever so slightly acidity in the coolant. This is not a chemical problem rather a mechanical. The different thermal expansion/contraction rates between aluminum heads and hard plastic bypass manifold causes stress fracture.

 

So a fluid that is designed and stated to last 100K miles (or more) is turning to acid at 50K miles and eating the engine from the inside out? Where did you source this nugget of internet wisdom from?

 

Here is fact:
There is only one standard of maintenance for the Tacoma... the Owners Manual. However, the manual is ambiguous in several places, stating normal vs severe duty, etc.
If people do their maintenance at shorter intervals, good for them. It is not required nor is there any evidence that shorter intervals lead to longer life.
On the contrary, as evidenced by thousands of oil sample results have shown, Toyotas maintenance schedule works just fine. In addition, there are numerous vehicles that are over the 300K mark using the Owner's Manual maintenance schedule, while there is absolutely zero proof of extended life or better oil samples from the shorter intervals crowd.
I don't care how often you do maintenance, just remember that Toyota schedules are proven with evidence, nobody else has any facts.

 

Nice FPI check.

 

It’s my own personal belief in early preventive maintence

 

Another way to see the pink is to pop a few buttons and lift her skirt from the passenger side wheelwell. I was doing a tire rotation so decided to take a peek.

That was at 156k miles





And that was at 145k miles.
It wasn't there at my 140k mile inspection.

 

I'm not challenging your 50K versus 100K frequency, who freaking cares! I'm balking at your "it turns to acid after 50K" statement which is causing this failure. That is downright false. But then again, what the hell do I know!

Carry on

 

As a general rule I agree with the manufacturers service recommendations with consideration to the type of service the vehicle falls under.

However I personally feel the 100k/5 year coolant interval is too long if one intends to keep the vehicle for many years.

Freeze protection is what gets the most attention however corrosion protection is what is most important.

The only thing protecting the head gaskets is the inhibitors in the coolant which become depleted over time.

Also, they have a much tougher job in this all aluminum engine compared to the more forgiving cast iron engines of days gone by.

The block drain is easy to access and has a nipple for a 5/16" hose so the job is very clean, the cost of 2 gallons of coolant from the dealer is very modest.

 

I test my coolant annually. If the pretty little balls float, we are good to go! Antifreeze has come a long way!

 

If you’re worried about electrolysis from coolant degradation here’s a simple test you can do .
Read down to the part on testing coolant.
https://www.rockauto.com/Newsletter/archives/6-4-15.html#tomStory

 

I thought this was moreso on the 2016, and 2017. Think The Car Nut and techs said that but maybe it’s more of a mileage thing ?

 

It’s what the Toyota tech also told me. It’s only a matter of when. It will eventually happen . Unfortunately for me, I’m past the 6 years /100t warranty. I’ll just have it fixed when it happens though . Still cheaper than new car payments .

 

Absolutely not a matter of when. It might never happen. More likely will never happen.

 

I have a 16 with 56k and no coolant leak yet. I do have a seeping timing cover I am keeping an eye on, so hopefully I won’t have both issues later

 

Wasn’t there someone on here that was able to replace theirs just by taking the whole intake manifold off? I know it’s still a pain in the ass that way, but seems a lot more DIY friendly. Not that dropping the transmission is a huge deal for some.

 

Dropped the tranny to fix mine. Thankfully not a 4x4 but it was still a solid 2 long days in the garage to get it all done. 2016 and started leaking around 85k. I changed my coolant at 60k as well with oem Toyota coolant.
Sometimes you just have bad luck on things while other trucks are problem free.