1. Welcome to 4Runners.com!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all 4Runner discussion topics
    • Transfer over your build thread from a different forum to this one
    • Communicate privately with other 4Runner owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Coolant Leak

Discussion in '4th Gen 4Runners (2003-2009)' started by 63Busman, Sep 8, 2022.

  1. Sep 8, 2022 at 8:00 PM
    #1
    63Busman

    63Busman [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 8, 2022
    Member:
    #28543
    Messages:
    3
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Andy
    Vehicle:
    2004 V6 2WD 4Runner
    Have a 2004 2wd 4.0 and have been dealing with coolant loss. The sucker has over 300K miles and the driver is notoriously hard on it. Figured out that the radiator was leaking on the side below the cap and had been for a while (big old crusty hole) so bought a new radiator and changed it out only to have another leak from the lower hose. Got that replaced and the beast runs really well. It doesn't overheat, the heat and AC both work well, and it still smells like coolant ... especially on the passenger side. I don't drive the thing much (94 Trooper driver), but I can still smell the coolant from 20 feet away. There is no coolant in the oil. There is no coolant on the ground. There is no coolant under the heater core. The coolant I drained from the radiator was beautiful red with no oil in it. You do not smell it inside. It is still losing 12 ounces or so of coolant every couple of days. Short of replacing the driver (don't go there) and car, I'm at a loss where to look next. This thing has been unbelievably reliable and still has way more power than my Trooper ever had. I check the coolant every day. I'm also out of work right now due to heart issues so major work in the heat is not a good plan. I'd appreciate any ideas.
     
  2. Sep 9, 2022 at 9:37 AM
    #2
    negusm

    negusm New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2019
    Member:
    #11745
    Messages:
    2,122
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2002 4Runner SR5 4WD
  3. Sep 9, 2022 at 10:30 AM
    #3
    BackOff

    BackOff New Member

    Joined:
    May 17, 2021
    Member:
    #21530
    Messages:
    9
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Derek
    Vehicle:
    2004 V6 4Runner
    Standard rabbit hole stuff
    The pink coolant has phosphors in it that will glow bright pink under a UV light.
    Dont need that dye marker/leakfinder.
     
  4. Sep 10, 2022 at 7:12 AM
    #4
    AuSeeker

    AuSeeker Old As Dirt

    Joined:
    Aug 4, 2018
    Member:
    #6604
    Messages:
    9,589
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Skip
    South Carolina
    Vehicle:
    2004 Limited
    Just an FYI the coolant should be "Pink" not red, Toyota pink coolant is "Super Long Life" coolant, and from 2004 own is what should be used, the red Toyota coolant is what was use prior to the pink coolant and is called just "Long Life" coolant, the 2 should not be mixed and the red should NOT be used in Toyotas meant to use the pink coolant.

    Ok now for possibly some bad news on your coolant lost, 4TH Gens V6s prior to late 2006 models have had some issues with blowing head gaskets, late 2006 models and onward have a redesigned head gaskets, not saying this is your issue but you need to do some testing, you can get a test kit for testing for exhaust gases in the coolant, you can also use a bore scope and inserting it into the spark plug holes to check for signs of coolant in each cylinder, hopefully you have other less costly issues but I would think you find the signs of the leak somewhere.
     
To Top