Toyota Coolant Leak

Eric Patterson

Eric Patterson

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I've got a strange issue maybe someone here has experience with. My 85 Toyota with a 22RE motor leaks coolant for a few seconds after being started cold. After dropping a couple ounces it stops. It only happens when the engine is cold started. I haven't pulled the skid plate off yet to get a good look of the leak source, which I probably should do, but thought maybe someone here is familiar with this particular sort of leak. Seems odd to me.

Eric
 
Given that it stops on e running, maybe an exhaust manifold lake that seals up once the metal heats up and seals it!
 
Eric where is it leaking from? Check the radiator cap after it cools, if there is lots of pressure when you remove the cap it's probably the head gasket. Does the the temp gauge go up past normal then drop quickly to normal after driving for a few miles?
 
Last edited:
lossie said:
Eric where is it leaking from? Check the radiator cap after it cools, if there is lots of pressure when you remove the cap it's probably the head gasket. Does the the temp gauge go up past normal then drop quickly to normal after driving for a few miles?
Click to expand...

I drove it earlier and just checked the cap. Opened it to virtually no pressure. Yes, the temp gauge briefly goes up after about 5 minutes of run time and quickly falls. Not positive but I think it only does this when coolant is routed through the heater core. I seem to recall reading this is normal behavior on 22REs based upon the thermostat location.

I suspect it is a low leak and will pull the skid plate and then start it when cold and look for the source. It isn't much coolant, but it seems to be quite repeatable.

Eric
 
Leaking when cold signals contraction in a component. Seen it several times with cars, boats, and even tractors we own. First thing to check are all the hoses. Radiator returns, radiator to water pump, etc. Check the clamps. I'm sure you have but check them again. Our boat diesels leaked coolant from them one time on the first really cold day. Next area to check would be your housings on the thermostat. Make sure it's not leaking at the manifold. A likely culprit as well could be the coolant/water pump. Sometimes the shaft journals/seals wear over time and leak when cold. Also, if you have a heavy duty alternator on for cold weather and/or an upgraded tensioner, they put excess pressure on the shaft and can cause a leak as well.

If you're SEEING coolant on the ground, that's good news. Likely rules out a head gasket or crack in the block.

Are you seeing any near the intake manifold galley?
 
No particular insight from me, except that in 1994 I was rear-ended at a stop light, totalling the lovely Mazda 323 I was driving at the time, and the same weekend became dis-engaged from the woman I was then living with. With nothing keeping me in Michigan, I decided to use the insurance from the car and a little cash I had saved to buy a truck so I could drive home carrying everything I owned.

I ended up with an '86 2WD 22-R Toyota. It seemed fantastic for the first 500 or so miles of the overloaded drive back to Maine. Early summer, 90+ degrees, no AC. Somewhere in western New York, I rolled up and stopped at a toll booth. Paid my toll, and the truck died on the spot--badly overheated and blocking the toll booth. Took an hour to get a tow, and 2 days to find and load a rental truck to continue on my way.

So pay attention to that leak!
 
So I dropped the skid plate and ran the engine for 10 minutes after sitting all night. No leak. This is the first time I've not seen coolant on the pavement in quite some time. I'll button her back up and wait for it to start leaking and repeat. I did tighten the hoses after the test for good measure. We'll see when if/when it starts leaking again.


Eric
 
There really are not many areas where it can leak. If you check these areas, I bet you'll find your issue:

Hoses where they meet the t-stat housing.
T-stat housing.
Intake manifold galley.
Coolant pump and hoses where they come in.
 
Does the water pump have a weep hole? Possible seal in water pump leaks when at a stand still and as it starts it dumps out a bit from weep hole.
 
Eric I have the same leak in an 87 4Runner
Once the thermostat opens it stops
The radiator has minor imperfections that leak when thermostat is closed
 

The 1988 4-Runner I had did the same late in it's life.

Had a very good mechanic that was fanatical about using the correct thermostat, and it often took more than one try to get it right.

Every time I took the 4-Runner in he would go over it with a fine tooth comb. Tell me what was what, and how much it would cost to repair.

Sure do miss my "Space Ship".
 
Look up someone with a pressure tester (goes on in place of the radiator cap). Check cold with system topped off. Should hold pressure or reveal leak. Good hunting.

Mike
 
Look up someone with a pressure tester (goes on in place of the radiator cap). Check cold with system topped off. Should hold pressure or reveal leak. Good hunting.



This will save you a lot of time, and you can check the spots Jay mentioned. If you do this and can't find the leak, get some coolant dye, preferably UV, that will tell you also. A pressure tester is a pretty common tool at a repair shop, and every radiator shop will have one.

 
You guys have given me some really good things to inspect and ways to do it. I've not had any other leak episodes since dropping the skid plate. I just got back in town last night from a hunting trip and will be driving the truck somewhat regularly in the coming weeks. Hopefully I can run it down because I'm certain it will start happening again.

Eric
 
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