Loosing Coolant But No Visible Leak?

[@alext8828]

It might be important to mention (as I'm doing here) that the leak is "intended" to alert you that the seal is failing and in some cases, the next level of failure is coolant entering the oil system and destroying the engine. In this case, the special sealant was working against that goal by drying and crystallizing and keeping the leak a secret. It's fortunate that this vehicle had surrounded itself with intelligent keepers and not with less attentive individuals that might miss the subtle signs presented here.

[@462ANIMAL]

Yup , and if ignored eventually they overheat the engine. The guy must have a good nose, you can usually smell it.. I’ve warned people before that they had a coolant leak, a few months later their vehicle is on the side of the hwy and towed for an estimate and also told they badly overheated it.

[@1973sonofodin]

My 765,000 mile Tundra had a bad coolant consumption problem that was causing bubbles in the expansion tank. I was 100% convinced it was a head gasket leak. I do some work on the truck myself but I'm not a mechanic. I took it to this amazing mechanic shop by my house in Houston called G&S Auto and he fixed it. It was something under the intake manifold. Problem is completely gone.

[@johnshanker82]

Wow!! Impressive miles. Is it the 4.7? I have an 06 tundra.

[@1973sonofodin]

@@johnshanker82 4.6

[@GuitarGuru9939]

Any more details on what the issue was? Having the same problem on mine. Thanks

[@frankponte4031]

Good call there Petr. I've done a couple of 4.7L / 2UZFE coolant pump & timing belt services that looked just like that. Previous 2004 & 2008 Lexus GX470's in the family fleet.

[@hunterharison]

Amazing, what an investigation and no one could find that especially leaking right in the front of the oil pan.

[@walter.bellini]

Thank you Peter Loved the submarine camera technique, very cool. What a nice find, and agree with others that the crystallization is preventing owners from seeing an antifreeze leak, and taking measures to address it right away. Thank you

[@Charlie_Crown]

Thank you Peter, much appreciated 👍

[@donaldallison]

Another good one Peter.

[@timdavis6088]

Weep holes are best utilized when one can see them weep. I had a mystery once on my 22R. It would blow coolant into the cylinders every once in a blue moon. It took me forever to figure it out but the head was cracked. Not just one crack, but every single cylinder had a tiny fracture running between each valve seat. Installed a new head.

[@jaspercats]

I bought a 2006 with 4.7 with 42,000 miles and started leaking soon after, was pretty disappointed it was leaking with that mileage, had to to pump and belt, sure hope the next one last more than 40,000 miles.

[@mikeb.7068]

Sadly, your vehicle may have been clocked. The Toyota water pump should be good for 180,000 miles, i.e. two timing belt change intervals.

[@stephenriddell8376]

Great Detective work Petr.. I had an intermittent water leak on my 2001 V6 3.4L Tacoma.. This leak was where the lower hose attaches to the engine. It would slowly drip antifreeze when it was cold in the driveway. But it would not leak when it was running or warm... This part was contracting a small amount when cold to let antifreeze slip thru onto the ground. Once this part was replaced it never leaked again... Very tough to find.

[@daveg2113]

Very good video Peter. I had the exact same thing happen, disappearing coolant, buildup of pink fluff. I assumed it was the gasket . Didn't notice the weep hole.

[@jonathanratliff4780]

Very interesting and informative Petr. . .thank you! Do you normally use OEM parts, like in this repair here?

[@MING26]

Very good question because I'm active in the 1st gen Sequoia pages and I've noticed lately a lot of posting from members having coolant leaks from aftermarket water pumps ... Is OEM the only way ?

[@SpicyMcGeezak]

@@MING26 I’d go oem. Don’t want to skimp on something as important as a water pump.

[@BakedRBeans]

Not a Toyota product, I know, but the Ford Taurus has a similar engine, except it uses a chain, not a belt. Equally difficult to see the water pump leak, and a huge amount of labor to replace. You need special positioners to hold the camshafts in place.

[@dalephillips8250]

thanks for showing this sir.

[@LAactor]

Be careful with timing or coolant jobs, guys, ALWAYS it drops into the coolant bucket!! Protip, I use an enclosed oil drain container with the small hole in the top so I don't drop my camera in it while filming. Bet thing thing could go to 150 160 if it was left. Toyota quality. But good to catch it now. Than EOL..

[@wolfeadventures]

Great job! Peter, have you ever seen a Toyota timing belt break?

[@heavilypeted]

I was told the timing belt on my 2002 Sequoia broke at 290k km (before I bought it.). It’s still rolling at 370k

[@janpur1417]

An engine (toy) fully built in Japan will have a zero leaking water pump even at 175K miles.

[@undrdog5204]

I think I might have this exact problem on a 3URFE. Magic coolant leak but all hoses are okay. Engine valley was resealed. Coolant still leaks but only if the external coolant tank is filled. It won't empty past the highest level of the radiator. So I'm never actually low on coolant in the radiator but I can smell the leak whenever I fill the external tank. It looks like its leaking from above the bell housing but maybe the fan is blowing it back from the bottom of the water pump. I will look into this, thanks!

[@rm5902]

GREAT VIDEO GREAT ANALYSIS More Please

[@aaronscott2278]

I got a coolent leak in my 97 4runner 3.4 believe it’s coming from a freeze plug behind the exhaust manifold behind the motor even pulled the tranny still couldn’t find where it’s coming from noticed just leaks when sitting not running it’s very minor but when it’s running and warm doesn’t leak

[@Hurlburton]

Good video Never seen one leak like that

[@mdharrisuiuc]

Good thing it wasn't a valley plate leak!

[@RenegadeX2112]

I think I may have the same problem with my 2002 Tundra. I keep putting coolant in but can't find leak. Last time the timing belt and water pump was changed 89k miles, it is now 252k and is way past time.

[@BOSS-xy8op]

Question: Can replacing the coolant at proper intervals prevent this problem?

[@gvi341984]

This is why you never touch V6 Toyotas especially the trucks. If it's lifted probably off-road once and hot engine in cold water makes for micro fracture

[@bikerz3857]

I hope you cleaned the throttle body...

[@gregorysperry2016]

Peter I would fix the leak and put new water pump on it

[@LAactor]

PS, did someone without knowledge chastise you about saying water pump? Water pump is correct! All the dealer techs and everyone say wp. Whomever said to you this is a bad person. We all know it is coolant/antifreeze but it has always been called water pump no matter what is inside the system!

[@jdesmo1]

what is the purpose of this channel and the small weep hole?

[@jimcharb4230]

Peter you deserve an extra potion of sauerkraut.

[@LAactor]

PS, did someone without knowledge chastise you about saying water pump? Water pump is correct! All the dealer techs and everyone say wp. Whomever said to you this is a bad person. We all know it is coolant/antifreeze but it has always been called water pump no matter what is inside the system!