Coolant Leak

Mekanecman · 10-01-09, 06:56 PM

I have a 93 4Runner. It is leaking coolant out from behind the timing cover. I have been told that it could possibly be the head gaskets. I haven't noticed any white smoke indicating that the coolant is getting into the cylinders. The part that I don't understand is that it only leaks after it has been parked for a while. I don't want to put a lot of money into it because I want to sell it. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

hardontoyotas · 10-01-09, 07:06 PM

it could be the water pump

Rix86 · 10-01-09, 08:14 PM

water pump, upper coolant inlet, or head gasket(s)
could be any of the above.

KLF · 10-01-09, 08:21 PM

You're gonna have to take it apart anyway. My bet is on the water pump.

aprice2pay · 10-02-09, 05:20 AM

I had a water pump go out recently on my 1995, and the leak was coming from almost the exact spot you described. Not sure about the milage but mine finally went at about 140K. A good indicator of whether or not it's the water pump is how fast the leak developed. If it came on suddenly then it's a good chance it is your water pump. If it took time to develop, like one drop here, one drop there, it's probably something else. Mine leaked for a day or two, then it just poured like my truck was raining. I had it replaced by Toyota and it cost me $525. If you plan on replacing it, you may as well do the timing belt at the same time.

Mekanecman · 10-02-09, 11:42 AM

Thanks guys. I figured it was the water pump. Luckily I can do it myself. Looks like I'm making a trip to Carquest.

KLF · 10-02-09, 12:25 PM

I hope your trip to Carquest is to get rags and brake cleaner for the job. There is NO WAY IN HELL I would trust anything but Toyota OEM quality for something as important as a water pump. It's not a quick easy job to get to that thing behind all those belts and covers, you don't wanna be doing this again in a year.

Call CDan, get the parts from him.

raydouble · 10-02-09, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KLF

There is NO WAY IN HELL I would trust anything but Toyota OEM quality for something as important as a water pump.

x a billion.

Rix86 · 10-03-09, 10:23 AM

And X a billion more

black95 · 10-05-09, 12:30 AM

It's the water pump.

Water pump is driven by the timing belt, (another not-so-great aspect of the 3.0) so you might as well replace it too, and while you are there, replace the thermostat.

I would normally be the one to tell you to just get the water pump from the local parts house, but it something happens on that engine and the water pump locks up or the bearing comes apart, your timing belt goes too........very bad for the engine.

Mekanecman · 10-08-09, 06:50 PM

Getting ready to get started anyone have pics or a write up on how to do this?

missouriman · 10-08-09, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rix86

And X a billion more

times 11venty billion more.

raydouble · 10-08-09, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mekanecman

Getting ready to get started anyone have pics or a write up on how to do this?

What are you planning?

2ndGenToyotaFan · 10-08-09, 10:54 PM

It's a good solid day worth of work... Remove things in this order:

Drain coolant

Intake hoses and air filter box

fan shroud and radiator

the thing that sticks through the timing belt cover and goes to the upper rad hose (double nut the studs to remove them)

Fan

upper timing cover

middle timing cover (has idler bearing thing on it) You will have to loosen a couple bolts on the power steering pump to get it off.

Use starter and a breaker bar with 1/2 drive 19mm socket to remove crank pulley

Lower timing cover

timing belt

water pump

then put it all back together.... you'll want a FSM handy to check on torque specs etc.

The timing belt tensionor is a hydraulic thing that you need a press to push in. You might be able to do it with a jack under the truck...

Pile everything up in a row with it's bolts so you don't loose anything... this list may not be 100% complete on in the right order, but it'll get you close.

And remember, have fun!

Mekanecman · 10-09-09, 12:56 AM

Going to replace the timing belt along with the tensioners and pulleys and water pump.

hardontoyotas · 10-09-09, 06:15 PM

get you a repair manual. it shouln't take you maybe 3 to 4 hours from start to finish.

2ndGenToyotaFan · 10-09-09, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hardontoyotas

get you a repair manual. it shouln't take you maybe 3 to 4 hours from start to finish.

I think that's really optimistic... Things will take longer than you think they will. i just got done changing the brushes in a 22RE alt, and it took way longer than it should have, cause i could not get the alt plug back in... Had to pull the alt back out to figure it out....

Plan for a whole day, and don't do it on a Sunday.... nothing is open when you need it.....

KLF · 10-09-09, 10:54 PM

I've done a few, and I don't think I could do it in 3-4 hours. At least not do a good job.

hardontoyotas · 10-11-09, 07:57 AM

i have done several timing belts on v6 truck, cars, and vans. replacing all the seals and pulleys and the water pumps in less than two hours.

Rix86 · 10-11-09, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hardontoyotas

i have done several timing belts on v6 truck, cars, and vans. replacing all the seals and pulleys and the water pumps in less than two hours.

If they were toyota v6s..... you were doing it wrong.

cruiser88 · 10-11-09, 08:52 PM

That is pushing it even on a 22r including you do the timing

Quote:

Originally Posted by hardontoyotas

i have done several timing belts on v6 truck, cars, and vans. replacing all the seals and pulleys and the water pumps in less than two hours.

KLF · 10-11-09, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hardontoyotas

i have done several timing belts on v6 truck, cars, and vans. replacing all the seals and pulleys and the water pumps in less than two hours.

No offense intended, but I wouldn't trust the work of someone that told me they did a water pump and timing belt job on a 3VZ in 2 hours.

This reminds me of the time a guy posted in Pirate that he did a clutch job in an hour. He then tried to tell me he never removes the crossmember. Ya OK...

raydouble · 10-11-09, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KLF

No offense intended, but I wouldn't trust the work of someone that told me they did a water pump and timing belt job on a 3VZ in 2 hours.

This reminds me of the time a guy posted in Pirate that he did a clutch job in an hour. He then tried to tell me he never removes the crossmember. Ya OK...

Toyota master tech that did my 3.4L timing belt, water pump, thermostat, and crank seal in a hour fifteen.....while talking the whole time. Course he's only been doing it for 30 years.

Rix86 · 10-13-09, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raydouble

Toyota master tech that did my 3.4L timing belt, water pump, thermostat, and crank seal in a hour fifteen.....while talking the whole time. Course he's only been doing it for 30 years.

I believe that.
Not including cam seals.