This is reminder that you should replace your heater Ts before it's too late!
The story: I parked in my driveway after a quick trip to the gas station (the 100 series' natural habitat) and smelled burning coolant. I popped the hood and started poking around looking for potential leaks as any fool would. In the video you see the resulting shock of when I inspected the heater hoses for leaking coolant. I got a face full of hot coolant as the hot-side heater T disintegrated upon my touch/wiggle inspection. I somehow managed not to get burned and immediately flushed my eyes without issue. I'm also lucky enough to discover this in my driveway and not up a mountain pass.
Don't be dumb/lazy like I was - just replace those Ts and put in good metal/brass ones with new clamps. My local O'Reilly's Auto had aluminum Ts for $18 in stock part 84543. There are many good write-ups here:
The story: I parked in my driveway after a quick trip to the gas station (the 100 series' natural habitat) and smelled burning coolant. I popped the hood and started poking around looking for potential leaks as any fool would. In the video you see the resulting shock of when I inspected the heater hoses for leaking coolant. I got a face full of hot coolant as the hot-side heater T disintegrated upon my touch/wiggle inspection. I somehow managed not to get burned and immediately flushed my eyes without issue. I'm also lucky enough to discover this in my driveway and not up a mountain pass.
Don't be dumb/lazy like I was - just replace those Ts and put in good metal/brass ones with new clamps. My local O'Reilly's Auto had aluminum Ts for $18 in stock part 84543. There are many good write-ups here:
DIY: Replacing heater hose pipe T's *important*
Today I replaced my Pipe T's for the heater hoses. This should be included in your 90k service, but most shops (even Toyota) usually don't do it. If your service was done at Slee, they are one of the few that do it. That should tell you something. It could leave you stranded and overheating...
forum.ih8mud.com
Heater Hose T's - Do NOT Wait!!!
After reading this: https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/diy-replacing-heater-hose-pipe-ts-important.610334/ I decided to change my heater hose T's today. I figured it wasn't completely necessary yet since I have a relatively low mileage 99 LX (125k on the clock). But it was a rainy day here in...
forum.ih8mud.com
Change Those Heater Tees!
Got around to changing the heater tees. I went with the stainless replacements, because I want something more permanent. However, word to the wise..if you choose the stainless replacements, be sure to get the worm clamps and replace those pressure clamps! The hoses won't seal on the metal tee...
forum.ih8mud.com