3.4 water leak, Solved!

I picked up this 03 3.4 a while ago with 250k on the odo and recently developed a coolant leak from the front of the motor. You can’t see where it’s coming from with it all assembled it appears to be coming from behind the thermostat i have no knowledge of when the water pump was last replaced but judging by the threads on the studs they’re pretty rusty(i’m in the rust belt)it’s been a while. I was curious if this picture is enough evidence to replace the water pump and gasket along with the timing belt or if i should rent a pressure tester for the cooling system. Its really hard to see where the leak is coming from due to lack of space with everything assembled. Any advice is greatly appreciated!

 

My 04 just started doing the same thing. At about 250k. It's past time for a timing belt for me so I'm having the belt, water pump and thermostat done. Can't help you with where it's coming from but I figure it's either pump or thermostat and time to get them done anyway.

 

I figured it was about time for those anyway just haven’t ordered the kit yet and need to do some research on where i can find an oem kit. thank you!

 

Get the complete kit with all Genuine Toyota Parts from Aircabinman on Ebay. Can't go wrong.

 

thank you! I have the kit laying in my bed as we speak with the rad fan covers etc. My air compresser doesn’t have enough balls to run half inch impact so i’m going to bump the starter to try and get the harmonic balancer bolt loose. I don’t imagine that pully coming off without a puller though.

 

naw, once you remove crank shaft bolt, the pulley comes off easy.....with hands and lil wiggling

 

Somehow it did! i’m going to pick up some coolant today while i try to figure out how to torque the harmonic balancer bolt down. Has anyone successfully torqued that bolt with the trans in 1st and the handbrake pulled?

 

This bolt is a stretch bolt and has to be replaced and torqued to spec.

 

I know, I was going to put some thread locker and torque it to 217 foot pounds and I thought that should be fine. I do know I should replace it, but I mean should be fine..right?

 

…did some research I want to do this the correct way so I ordered the bolt…none of my local parts stores carry it

 

Understood, dealer only item. In my humble opinion, no, get a new bolt. Do a little research on this site to see what happens when the bolt loosens.

 

I’ve got everything off apart from the tb tensioner pulley, I need to borrow a 10mm allen from a friend. The idler pulley is torqued and tomorrow Ill scrape off the old wp gasket and most likely reinstall parts until the new bolt is needed. Thank you!

 

Really interested how you tighten CS bolt
Maybe like me

 

I’m thinking wrap an old belt around the ac tensioner pulley or something similar to that…if not maybe put the trans in gear with the handbrake engaged. If anyone has suggestions it would be much appreciated!

 

I re-read your initial post…5spd….lucky!

put in 5th gear
Parking brake on
Buddy on foot brake as well
Get CS bolt as tight as you can

I have auto….still bugs me time to time but I have been looking for wobble on HB pulley
I never bought the ‘CS pulley holder’

 

Thank you! I will have to update when the cs bolt comes in the mail.

 

I want to start off with thanking everyone that gave me advice! I am grateful for you all. She got put back together on wednesday of last week, then I go to start her up and see I’m pissing coolant from that little bypass hose so I pulled the old clamp and replaced that, it has been dry since. After that I ran it, I changed the oil since I feared I’ve contaminated the oil when the dipstick tube was out and I doused the block in coolant. I’ve put 90 miles on the new wp and tb so far and I’ve just tightened the radiator hose clamps and purchased a new one to replace the old constant tension clamp since it is visibly seeping coolant. Thank you all!

 

Awesome Update!