Coolant Leak... :( Found it

Went to check Stonewall's antifreeze two days ago, found that there was nothing in the reservoir. I thought this was very strange, because when I checked it last week, it was within level. I bought some undiluted dexcool (what I already had in the system, of course) and diluted it myself. (I refuse to pay for 50/50 when I've got water at my house I can mix it with) Topped it off to the full line on the reservoir, let it burp down threw some more in until it was full again, and I've been watching it. In two days, it has dropped down to this:

Unable to find the leak because the coolant had been thrown everywhere, I cleaned everything off with a rag and drove around the neighborhood until my fan came on. Stopped on the side of the road, put on my hazards, and popped the hood. Couldn't see it. Turned the truck off, and still couldn't find it. Wasn't leaking yet, I guess. So I drive back to the house and park out front. Turned it off, gave it a bit, and lo and behold, I done found it.

 

Put some stop leak in it lol

 

Lol, wouldn't trust that anyways. I'll let y'all know what's going on with this as soon as I do more about it.

 

Old thread, but just found today had a bunch of little red drips in the fresh snow underneath the passenger side blinker. Tried to follow the path but couldn't really see a lot. Need to take it out and get it warm to see if I can spot it better.

OP did you have any luck with this issue??

 

Could be a tank seeping on the radiator or a hose leaking being on the passenger side. I had a tank begin seeping on me.

 

I'm still learning about how to fix this stuff and I'm not really sure what the tank is? You aren't talking about the overflow tank right? That's located on the oposite side...

 

I found what I thought to be the source of the leak- looked like the thermostat housing on the side of the block. I put a new gasket in right there, but the leak is still there. :/

 

That's too bad! Once this real cold snap breaks here I'm hoping to get out there and see if I can tell where it's coming from.

 

Man, it's nuts! It was 64 here earlier, now it's down to like 45, and is going to be 15 by the end of the night.

 

The radiator has 2 tanks. Either on top and bottom or side to side. A big hose connects to each one and then to the motor.

 

Thanks for the tip, I'll check this out hopefully within the next couple days.

Sounds pretty similar!! Woke up this morning and it was 5*.....doesn't make looking for a leak outside any easier!

 

And now there's snow everywhere... go figure!

 

Finally found the leak, and it isn't a coolant leak. With the new extreme temperatures here in Maine the leak had actually stopped. Today it actually hit 23*, heat wave, so things started leaking again. Followed up and actually it's my washer fluid, just looks very similar to the pink antifreeze in the snow (I use that orange rainex fluid).

 

Just a quick tip based on my knowledge of General Motors products, beware of using Dexcool in your Toyota's. It is know to be corrosive of Aluminum. That is a fact.
Sometime's it is worth using factory recommended products.
FYI.

 

For those of you with leaks.... when was the last time your water pump was changed??

The water pumps are held to the block via bolts & RTV. The RTV will break down and cause a leak. I had the same issue in my 96 (many years ago).

 

Really? I did not know that. I've been running Dexcool. Looks like I'll be switching over to regular after hearing this.

I did not replace the water pump when I rebuilt the engine. I just slapped new bearings in it, cleaned up the valves, etc. So water pump has just over 149000 miles on it. Seems like about time to replace it, but I can't do that until I can afford it.

 

I have radiator tank leaking on my 97 Tacoma. finally ordered a new one off of ebay. Question is: since it has a leak, the radiator cant pressurize correct? will this cause the water to boil? would it cause an issue with sensors and emissions? just asking cause it also wont pass smog! thanks for any info!