Leaking Lower Radiator Hose Connnection

Hey there Tacoma World,

New to the forum, I will run a seperate post detailing my beloved 2011 Tacoma, base model, regular cab 4 banger. I love this truck and have some great info and great photos to share about this model in particular as I am quite a fan.

For right now I need help with a small leak I've noticed coming from a part that I can't identify. I can best describe it as a black plastic connection that is bulbous in shape and bolted directly next to the lower radiator hose connection, or where the lower radiator hose meets the engine block. I will attach photos. Basically directly beneath the power stearing pump.

I noticed a very small puddle of fluid, not pink though, looks a little more clear / golden brown. No splatter or any accumulation anywhere just a little wetness coming from the bottom side of this black bulbous plate, the side I cant see. A one inch hose comes out of this black plate and runs in towards cab, I can't tell where to. This hose is also one of the few in my engine bay that doesnt have some sort of clip on it. Is that normal? Hopefully these photos can clarify.

Only thing I can really think of apart from a crack in this black piece or the hose running off from it would be power steering fluid seeping out at the cap and running down onto this piece? I checked all my caps and the power steering resevoir cap was only 90-95% tightened.. I guess that's what happens when you take it out of dealership for an oil change. This last idea might be a bit of a long shot though. The top of the resevoir did seem pretty gunky so I cleaned it off so I would notice if it that was the case. The cap is obviously now 100% tight but it seemed tight enough before.

Anyways, thanks for reading if you've made it this far, couldn't find anything else about this piece online. If anyone can identify this piece it would be on here! Thanks in advance!

 

That is the coolant bypass pipe and is plastic on the older generation 2 truck 2TR-FE Engines. They have since updated this to a steel pipe assembly that is better and doesn't have this leakage issue.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/heater-not-working.682883/page-2#post-24101227

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/leaky-gasket-on-coolant-bypass-housing.417873/#post-21439102

Downside is the intake manifold has to be removed to get at the pipe to replace it.

 

Thanks Jimmy H! That's exactly the information I needed, new stainless coolant bypass housing / line on the way. Suprising they didnt recall this plastic housing.. Thanks again man

 

Hey again Jimmy H and Tacomaworld..

I'm not 100% confident pulling off the intake / manifold. I'm sure I could figure it out but would hate to f__k something up in there. Wondering if I should just order another black plastic line, rob the new black plastic flange that connects to the thermostat housing and keep the original bypass hose in its place without having to remove the intake. Anyone know if that would be possible? Stock plastic line is also way cheaper, a POS clearly but hey it's made it to 175,000 with no issues until now. Also.. leak seams small for now, like a pinhole seap on that hard black flange piece somewhere. How dangerous would it be to drive 30 miles to the dealership under these conditions? Thanks to anyone out there for your advice!

 

Just make sure they give you the correct gasket to go with it.