Engine coolant leak
#1
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Engine coolant leak
Leaking of fluid
The picture is taken from crawling under the vehicle behind the front wheels and taking picture in the direction of the front.
Yesterday I took our 05 GX 470 for a trip and noticed the temperature gauge was reading hot. I've never had issues until yesterday. I bought some coolant and replaced 1 full jug to get it to the correct level. The next day a drove it for a short trip to the gas station. While fueling up I noticed engine coolant dripping on the concrete. The picture is where the drip occurs. I can't find and leaks on top of the engine. Any suggestions?
#2
Lead Lap
My guess would be one of 2 things leaking...
- the hoses that connect to your heater core inlet and outlet tubes(pictured)...
-your heater core is leaking and the coolant is coming out the evaporator drain and dripping onto the side of the engine. This may be why you didn’t notice a leak.. it could be mixing with the water that normally drips out.
Im guessing the clamp(s) on your hoses connecting the cooling system to your heater core is the most likely issue... since it appears to be coming from the upper left side of your engine bay and dripping down around the bell housing area.
The heater core would be more noticeable on the opposite side.
Check these clamps...
- the hoses that connect to your heater core inlet and outlet tubes(pictured)...
-your heater core is leaking and the coolant is coming out the evaporator drain and dripping onto the side of the engine. This may be why you didn’t notice a leak.. it could be mixing with the water that normally drips out.
Im guessing the clamp(s) on your hoses connecting the cooling system to your heater core is the most likely issue... since it appears to be coming from the upper left side of your engine bay and dripping down around the bell housing area.
The heater core would be more noticeable on the opposite side.
Check these clamps...
#3
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
It is dry as a bone on the hose connecting where you pointed out on the diagram. I would think that when I turned on the heater full blast I would smell antifreeze if the heater core was the problem. Are there any hidden hoses that could leak but pool down a low spot to the bell housing?
#4
Pole Position
Just to the left and back along the block from where you took your pic is a block drain, maybe it's come loose and is dripping, and blowing back onto the transfer case? It is the transfer case with the coolant collecting on it, right? Hard to tell for sure in your pic.
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MrJason (07-18-19)
#5
Lead Lap
I stand corrected on this. I believe IanB2 nailed it.
#6
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
I don't think it would be a block drain leak. No work has been done to the engine and only been on the highway. I'll try to locate to make positive.
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#8
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
The part store said the same thing about the green coolant. They informed me once the leak was detected that Asian red was to be replaced. I thought the universal green would at least not coagulate since it was leaking green in the first place. Thanks for everyone's input! I really love this forum. Great community of knowledge.
#10
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Here is better picture of where the dripping is on the front side if the bell housing.
This picture is from the driver side shot toward the front.
This picture is from the driver side shot toward the front.
#12
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
I took it for a drive this morning with the heater on for about 6 miles. The heater never blew hot and there was no leak. The temperature gauge stayed in the middle as well. I then took it for another 8.5 miles immediately after this 6 mile trip. The heater started blowing hot and after the 8.5 mile trip the drip started showing up again. The temperature gauge stayed in the middle both trips. I'm sure the coolant level had not be drained out enough to cause overheating issues. I'm pretty sure I know what's wrong but I'd like to hear other's diagnosis here for confirmation.
#13
Pole Position
The block drain and hoses on the firewall look dry to me. What's your theory?
#14
Pole Position
Loose freeze-plug?
Chip H.
Chip H.
#15
Question out of the norm; When was the last time you did the TB/WP job?