Help with coolant leak

[moknys]

This morning I discovered a leak in a metal pipe that seems to go from the water pump and runs along the engine to the back of the chassis. The pipe has a cut around where it curves down towards the water pump.

I'm a newbie when it comes to car repair, I used to change the oil in my cars a while back, not anymore. The pipe seems like it would be easy to replace, but I would like to get some tips about how to go about it. Also should I get the part at the dealer or could I find it elsewhere.


any help would be appreciated..

thanks

 

[Rich]

Pipe will have to come from dealer or junkyard. Drain coolant. replace pipe. Flush engine. Replace coolant.

It's a bit odd that the pipe failed. If it failed due to corrosion, that would not be a good sign.

FYI, that pipe is the return flow from the heaters.

 

[RavenTai]

If it is the pipe I am thinking of then it is the heater return pipe, it runs along the passenger side of the engine above the exhaust manifold. Any idea how it became damaged? Could it happen again? Northern truck? Is it corroded (rusted through)? The coolant pipes on my 62 are rotting through, recently had to bypass the rear heat as those pipes were the worst.

what year? (put in signature) the early 1FZ's have the PAIR valve that may be in the way.

For parts contact CruiserDan @ American Toyota, he gets us the best prices on OEM parts, if it is outrageously expensive ( I have no idea how much it would be) you can try to find a used one, or possibly have it repaired, it is steel so you could have it welded If it just had a small damaged area and not generally overall rust.

As for changing it should just be drain coolant, unclamp the hoses and slip them off unbolt the pipe clean the gasket face, put a new gasket in, reinstall in reverse but check with the FSM. If you do not yet have the factory repair manual get one.

 

[RavenTai]

I have been way too slow lately.

 

[moknys]

The LC is a 1996

The leak comes from a small cut. I have no idea how it happened, it pretty small about an 1/8 of an inch maybe longer. The truck is from SoCal. If its rusting its probably from the inside out. If that is case is this a sign of more trouble down the road? Should I get the radiator checked?



Thanks.

 

[RavenTai]

Coolant pipes rusting from the inside out would indicate something very wrong, if it had anything even close to proper coolant in it then that is not likely at all. My 62 is from up north, the salt attacked the pipes from the outside. When I was looking at 80 series I had seen several from up north that had corrosion on the outside of that very pipe, especially at the front. Soca; truck should not have this.

Sounds like it was just plain physically cut by something (or someone) you could probably have it welded if a replacement is expensive, you will probably still have to remove it from the vehicle to do so though.

As for the rad no need to bring it to someone. Wile the coolant is drained look at the visible portion of the radiator from the fill cap, you should see clear unobstructed slots without much crap hanging around.

 

[moknys]

I'm thinking on getting my hands dirty with this issue. What kind of coolant should be used for this truck. The color of the existing coolant is brown and the shop I take it to said it uses a different kind, but I don't know which one it is.

The cut is pretty small and I know a guy that can probably weld it for me..

thanks

 

[RavenTai]

it originally came with Toyota red coolant, you can search for more info on this coolant.

you can use any coiolant you like except any "GM dexcool" aporoved coolant witch is to be avoided, dexcool is ushually dyed pinkish/orange in color. mix the coolant with distilled water only, do not use hose water or other drinking water.

brown is ushually red mixed with regual green coolant makes a nasty dark brown color.

but brown can also be the color of straight water in the cooling system, also known as rust water.

you want to make usre you get all the old coolant flushed out, there are several threads in the FAQ with info on coolant flush. a seach is a good dea also, wile you are reapiring this pipe and flushing the cooling system, you shoud replace the PHH (pesky heater hose) examine the other hoses and repalce as nesisary, and replace the thermostat.