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Check Your 3.5l Coolant Pipe!

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by Ruggybuggy, Jan 31, 2018.

  1. Jul 30, 2021 at 7:21 PM
    #221
    fxntime

    fxntime Well-Known Member

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    German plastics get brittle just looking at a slightly warm engine.

    The Japanese CAN make proper plastic but it sounds like this isn't one.

    My 93' Miata is still all original as far as the cooling system goes. [other then coolant] It's not hard to make good plastic parts that can withstand heat, the problem is that the chemicals costs more and some head bean counter ends up saying ''good enough.''
     
  2. Jul 30, 2021 at 8:36 PM
    #222
    Summitroad

    Summitroad Well-Known Member

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    This is one of the known issues with the 3.5 engine
    I think a plastic pipe was definitely a bad idea, eventually every Tacoma will need to have this pipe replaced. In the Lexus this pipe is made of aluminum. I guess they have a smarter chief engineer running Lexus
     
    Last edited: Jul 30, 2021
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  3. Aug 12, 2021 at 10:56 AM
    #223
    Summitroad

    Summitroad Well-Known Member

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    Update; Got the truck fixed. Extended Toyota warranty covered the repair just over 2K. However, it did take a few phone calls to get the repair aproved.
    To get access to the bypass, the intake manifold had to be removed.

    Repair.jpg
     
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  4. Sep 9, 2021 at 2:37 PM
    #224
    CrufflerJJ

    CrufflerJJ Active Member

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    I had my 2019 TRD OR (~35K miles) at the local dealership yesterday for the high mount brake light leak recall. Out of paranoia, I also had them check for coolant leaks, since the reservoir had dropped from the MAX to MIN level in the 9 months or so I've owned the truck. They found no leaks, and told me (no duh!) that the coolant level varies as the engine heats/cools. In any case, they added some coolant to the coolant reservoir. Almost as important.....my concern re: coolant leak was put on record before the original warranty expired. Both these pics were taken with a COLD engine....

    tacoma-low-coolant.jpg
    tacoma-coolant-topped-off.jpg
     
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  5. Sep 9, 2021 at 7:47 PM
    #225
    MannyS

    MannyS Well-Known Member

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    Get a small mechanics mirror and look for a pink crust on the bypass tube behind the manifold.
    Pink crust=fluid leak/seepage
     
    Last edited: Sep 9, 2021
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  6. Sep 9, 2021 at 9:22 PM
    #226
    o313

    o313 Well-Known Member

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    For the record I replaced my own radiator cap and it seems the coolant smell I had is gone. I think I mentioned the smell at least 6 times if not more and the two dealers were both about as useful as the hood scoop on a taco sport.
     
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  7. Sep 10, 2021 at 5:07 PM
    #227
    CrufflerJJ

    CrufflerJJ Active Member

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    I tried stuffing a small cheapie fiber optic camera behind various parts on my truck a week or so ago, but was too incompetent/unknowing to KNOW where I needed to look at. In any case, I spent $$$ for an extended warranty, so even if the dealership said "leak.....what leak?....coolant level variation is perfectly normal.....that being said, let's top it off", my financial damage should be relatively minimal should the bypass tube puke due to Toyota's engineering/design incompetence.
     
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  8. Sep 10, 2021 at 6:46 PM
    #228
    MannyS

    MannyS Well-Known Member

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    It only starts having a major leak at night or when you are vacationing
     
  9. Oct 13, 2021 at 6:50 PM
    #229
    tonered

    tonered bartheloni

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    Whew!

    I just upgraded my endoscope and checked the coolant pipe. It looks good for now.

    20211013181828306.jpg

    20211013182739959.jpg

    I might try fishing up from the bottom some other time.
     
  10. Oct 13, 2021 at 6:54 PM
    #230
    cryptolyme

    cryptolyme Well-Known Member

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    wow, really glad i got the 2.7L with all these issues the 3.5L has.
     
  11. Oct 14, 2021 at 3:34 PM
    #231
    CrufflerJJ

    CrufflerJJ Active Member

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    What endoscope did you go with? Those pics look pretty darn clear & sharp.
     
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  12. Oct 14, 2021 at 3:44 PM
    #232
    tonered

    tonered bartheloni

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  13. Oct 14, 2021 at 3:47 PM
    #233
    CrufflerJJ

    CrufflerJJ Active Member

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    Thank you, sir! I like that this unit isn't something that you need to plug into a cell phone or laptop. Less hassles all around.

    UPDATE - Amazon's estimated delivery date for this unit is DECEMBER 2021 for the "lightning deal" version. The normal version ($9 higher) seems to be in stock now.
     
    Last edited: Oct 14, 2021
  14. Oct 14, 2021 at 3:49 PM
    #234
    tonered

    tonered bartheloni

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    You're welcome!

    That was the reason for grabbing it.

    Their claims in the listing seem accurate also.
     
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  15. Oct 14, 2021 at 4:14 PM
    #235
    Skydvrr

    Skydvrr IG: @kalopsianick

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    With a strong focused light, u can see the crossover tube from the bottom driver's side. No scope needed. Kinda looking up from the upstream cat.
     
  16. Oct 14, 2021 at 4:19 PM
    #236
    CrufflerJJ

    CrufflerJJ Active Member

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    As to "claims" on Amazon & other sites, I HIGHLY like/recommend the browser plug-in FAKESPOT. Their website is fakespot.com . It gives you some insight into the "trustworthiness" of Amazon reviews, and also shows you pricing history over time. Quite handy.
     
  17. Oct 14, 2021 at 4:20 PM
    #237
    Stocklocker

    Stocklocker Well-Known Member

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    What are the other issues?
     
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  18. Oct 14, 2021 at 4:21 PM
    #238
    su.b.rat

    su.b.rat broken truck

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    thanks for mentioning this. i just installed it, gonna give it a try.
     
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  19. Oct 14, 2021 at 4:23 PM
    #239
    CrufflerJJ

    CrufflerJJ Active Member

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    I'm always glad to help folks spend their money. :)

    I've used Fakespot for years, and have found it a useful tool. Do your own do diligence, blahblahblah. Still a handy tool.
     
  20. Oct 14, 2021 at 4:46 PM
    #240
    tonered

    tonered bartheloni

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    Thanks!

    I take that stuff with a grain of salt. For this, I was okay with the wireless side. The res was good and seemed to have a better focus overall.

    Still, I need more time with it.
     
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