Coolant Leaking
#1
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Coolant Leaking
I just noticed over the past few days that our RX300 is leaking antifreeze. I had to do an oil change yesterday and clean out the PCV valve and while i was under the car is when i noticed the leak, while jacked up in the front, it was running down the backside of the motor on the passengers side and dripping off of the top of the oil pan directly above the drain plug. I cant pinpoint the leak nor do i have a vacuum test kit to put on the radiator to find out where its coming from, with 195k miles i'd say it could very well be that the coolant hose under the intake could be bad? Its a steady drip, about every 3-5seconds it will drip. Any and all help is appreciated, thnx in advance.
#2
Moderator
Just jack up the RX and get some mirror and light and look for the leak. Look for the crust whitish-pink (if you use Toyota Red).
If it is from the firewall side then it could be the hose leading to the heat-exchanger. If it is from the block side , you will have to do more searching. There is a cross over hose that goes from the left to the right bank ... [see the knock sensor diy]. That one is buried deep. Just trace the trail.
What you mention is called a pressure testing kit. The nice thing is that you dont have to have the engine running and hot and simply build up the pressure. Please dont ever go near the psi limit on the radiator cap. I would say stay 50%.
Salim
If it is from the firewall side then it could be the hose leading to the heat-exchanger. If it is from the block side , you will have to do more searching. There is a cross over hose that goes from the left to the right bank ... [see the knock sensor diy]. That one is buried deep. Just trace the trail.
What you mention is called a pressure testing kit. The nice thing is that you dont have to have the engine running and hot and simply build up the pressure. Please dont ever go near the psi limit on the radiator cap. I would say stay 50%.
Salim
#3
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Thnx, i use reg. green antifreeze. It's coming down the backside of the block, my fear is that its the hose under the intake manifold. I'll have to locate my telescope mirror and see if i can locate the leak. Is there an advantage to using Toyota's red coolant verses green?
#4
Moderator
Thnx, i use reg. green antifreeze. It's coming down the backside of the block, my fear is that its the hose under the intake manifold. I'll have to locate my telescope mirror and see if i can locate the leak. Is there an advantage to using Toyota's red coolant verses green?
The only place that I know of the coolant track would be to the IACV and the cross over [my limitation]. IACV is on the driver side, so ...
Harbor freight seels a mirror on flexible wand.
I have not done any comparative analysis and have stayed with Toyo Red ...
Salim
#5
Lexus Test Driver
Check around the thermostat housing as well.
Toyota Red & Pink offer much better corrosion protection than green coolant. Coolant passages look like new when using the Toyota stuff, but the cheaper generic garbage will end up making everything crusty and gross.
Toyota Red & Pink offer much better corrosion protection than green coolant. Coolant passages look like new when using the Toyota stuff, but the cheaper generic garbage will end up making everything crusty and gross.
#6
Red is a pretty old formula which has 30k replacement intervals. Pink is much better and good for 100k intervals.
Trending Topics
#8
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Is the bypass hose the name for the hose located under the intake, the one by the knock sensors? Also what brand is OEM Knock sensors, thermostat and timing belt and components?
#9
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Also, when i find the pink anitfreeze, do i need to do some sort of a coolant flush or just drain the green out and tighten drain plug back and add the pink or do i have to do a flush somehow? And where is the best place to go to get the pink antifreeze, toyota or autoparts store?
#10
Also, when i find the pink anitfreeze, do i need to do some sort of a coolant flush or just drain the green out and tighten drain plug back and add the pink or do i have to do a flush somehow? And where is the best place to go to get the pink antifreeze, toyota or autoparts store?
If you want specifically Toyota pink get it at your dealer parts counter.
A popular alternative meeting Toyota's HOAT compatibility is Zerex Asian formula. Can be found at NAPA and Advance Auto
Other compatible alternatives that can be found at some other auto stores and amazon..
Pentofrost A1 and A4
Beck/Arnley Red concentrate or Pink pre-mix
Recochem's "OEM Premium" Red concentrate or Pink pre-mix
Aisin Pink (50/50 pre-mix) "
#11
Moderator
Also, when i find the pink anitfreeze, do i need to do some sort of a coolant flush or just drain the green out and tighten drain plug back and add the pink or do i have to do a flush somehow? And where is the best place to go to get the pink antifreeze, toyota or autoparts store?
Salim
#12
Coolant Leaking
On other forums it is mistaken that mixed Toyota red with water equals Toyota pink. They are different formulas.
#13
Hey, manufacturers guarantee it to meet factory warranty for a reason(they don't like to fool with their money and reputation). I use it even on my Honda(their manual strongly warn not use anything else), same result when I changed my water pump and thermostat.
I use my cars as the lab rats, it prove the manufacturers just try to make more money.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
mtnman82
ES - 1st to 4th Gen (1990-2006)
2
02-21-10 10:22 PM