Coolant leak / fan clutch question

Hi All:

I have a 2000 with the V6 and an auto.

I noticed a spot on the driveway where I normally park it and it was antifreeze. I checked the reservoir and it was empty. I added antifreeze and checked it the next day and it was low again.

So I started troubleshooting where the leak could be and I can't tell exactly, but antifreeze is pooling on the lower chamber of the radiator. All the hoses are fine. So I figured it is a leak in the radiator somewhere.

I was all set to order the parts and I was looking through the Haynes manual to see how bad a job it is and something I read in the manual gave me pause. The manual was discussing the fan clutch and it mentions that the fan will spin faster the hotter the engine temperature. It also said, if you see "fluid" at the fan clutch, replace it.

So I looked and sure enough, I see antifreeze residue on the lower fan cowling.

So, my first question is: Does antifreeze get pumped into the fan clutch? Second question: How does the clutch sense engine temperature?

If the answer is that the fan does not have antifreeze in it, then I think I am back to a radiator.

The sad truth is that I don't have a pressure tester so I was letting the engine pressurize the system and then looking for leaks. It seems to me that I can remove the lower fan shroud to get a better view.

I don't see any antifreeze drips until the engine gets to operating temperature and then they appear.

Also, how much time and the difficulty for a guy like me to change the radiator? I have a lot of tools, and a desire to do the work myself, but I wouldn't call myself a mechanic. I basically do the maintenance items like brakes and O2 sensors myself to save some cash and also, quite frankly, I've seen the pros mess up too.

Thank you for your time and knowledge.

 

Sounds like a upper tank is leaking on the radiator and that leak is getting pulled or blown at speed on to the fan cowling.

If you see coolant pooling on the lower tank seam,,then it is usually a tank issue or a hose issue.

upper tank
radiator core
lower tank

A good radiator shop can replace those tanks and reuse those aluminum clamps you see there on the top and bottom. They get 1 shot at a reuse, but it can be done.

Also, a radiator shop can do a pressure test for you,,and isolate the leak a little closer with a trained eye,,before you lay out money or overspend on a guess.

I would recommend the proper pressure test to that end.

 

There is no antifreeze in the fan clutch (fluid coupling). I believe it is a silicon oil. I don't know if it adjusts based on temperature or if it just insulates the fan from sudden changes in engine speed or something.

Find links to a radiator replacement thread with pictures and the pdf of the service manual here:

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/1s...y-how-thread-compiled-list-helpful-links.html

 

If you have any doubts about where your leaks are emanating from, you can use this: http://www.tracerline.com/tags/tp-3900 & http://www.summitracing.com/parts/trl-tp-3900-0601

Ed