Coolant leak at the block heater

I own this 2016, SR5, 2.7L since almost 3 years now. The block heater I had originally installed at the dealership had to be changed since it was leaking coolant. The problem appeared to be solved when I noticed the coolant level was lower in the expansion tank. I had it checked and been told that there was no leak. Recently, we have had exceptionnaly cold weather (-25°C) over many days and pink coolant drip was visible in the snow under the vehicle. I had it checked again today and, this time, the mechanic told me that there was a small leak at the block heater. He also told me that the leak had previously been noted in the vehicle file !!! He said that the problem is well knowned with the 2.7L engine, that Toyota Corp is aware but is taking no action. My choices are to live with the problem, or have the block heater removed and replaced by a plug. At least, I now have the proper information...

 

Hmm, I thought the block heaters on these were just a receptacle on the back of the engine and didn’t actually penetrate into any of the fluids. Regardless I never bothered to install one, negative 40 and no issues starting.

 

Wow that’s super annoying. I’ve got a block heater in the V6, so I’ll have to take a look at mine.

So if it’s a well known problem with the 2.7L, is removing the block heater and plugging it going to solve the problem? If it’s instead a problem with the block heater, couldn’t you get a different aftermarket heater?

We’re getting mad cold weather here in Minneapolis next week, so I’ll be using mine for sure.

Also, guessing you’re in Canada with the Celsius? Haha

 

Of course, Canada ! The mechanic said that such problem was not encountered on the V6, so you should not worry.
I suspect that the metal from the engine block and the heater itself contract differently at very low temperature, thus leaving a small gap between those two parts. I had not noticed any leak during summer time.
So, I'll check this hypothesis first in the coming weeks before taking any course of action.
As for starting at low temperature, it performs well even when not preheated. It is said to shorten battery life though...
Thanks for the replies.

 

Hi bob87,
I just experienced this leaking block heater on my 4 cyl. 2.7 lt. Tacoma Access Cab. The Toyota mechanic in Penticton removed the leaking part with great difficulty and discovered that the part that was installed was an aftermarket block heater! This is the way the truck came to me brand new from the Sun Country Toyota dealer in Kamloops. After speaking to the dealership owner in Kamloops he denies that an aftermarket block heater was installed even though he did admit that they did put in the block heater. I've never had any work done on this truck since I bought it brand new other than oil change/filters every 6 months. I have the defective part and also a picture of the proper frost plug the Penticton Toyota mechanic was able to find and put in the hole. He said the aftermarket block heater was rammed into place originally to make it fit. I am trying to get to the bottom of this BS and Toyota Canada is trying to blow me off. The manager/owner of Sun Country Toyota in Kamloops is basically calling me a liar. His name is Rob Splayne. So my new truck came with an aftermarket part that didn't fit properly installed in my vehicle. Not impressed at all.

 

Following up to my previous post regarding my leaking block heater. The Toyota dealership put in a frost plug in place of the leaking block heater but couldn't guarantee the work since he said the original installation of the block heater at the Kamloops dealership where I bought the truck from was shoddy work and damage was done to the truck. Now a few months after the frost plug was put in it is leaking coolant from that area again. I'm very frustrated and tried to deal with Toyota Canada and Toyota Kamloops in BC but both entities are denying any knowledge of wrongdoing on their parts. I really don't know what to do now except go to the media and make a big stink over this.

 

Have an attorney send them a letter asking for correction of the problem. They know how to word things.