6080prado

Like many, I had a mystery coolant leak with no symptoms other than coolant vanishing from the reservoir. I found some small leaks in the radiator and swapped it out with a Koyo unit and figured the problem was solved. Not so fast.

I was still losing coolant and thought maybe there was just some air pockets from the radiator swap. I was basically having to fill up the reservoir every couple weeks, but still no evidence of leaks. Even though the PO provided a receipt from the timing belt and water pump, I was starting to worry about whether the shop actually did it. Or worse, I started having nightmares about blown headgaskets or leaking heater cores.

So today I decided to find the leak. Turns out it is coming from the where the water inlet housing goes into the intake. There's an O-ring that I am assuming has failed or was damaged by the shop when they did the timing belt (I'm not sure if this part is removed during the timing belt R&R). I'll probably get both the housing and the O-ring since I can't be sure which is actually at fault.

Just a heads up in case somebody else is trying to track down a mystery leak. I don't think it is a common failure, so that's why I'm inclined to think it was FUBAR'ed during the timing belt service.

burny

what part of VA you in and which shop did your work?

6080prado

I'd have to check the PO's receipt, but I think it was some independent import place in Arlington or Falls Church. It was done about 10K before I bought it, but I wonder if it had been leaking ever since the timing belt service was done. It has been losing coolant ever since I bought it.

When I don't do work myself, I take my vehicles to Springfield Auto on Terminal Rd in Lorton/Springfield. Good shop with fair prices. I'll probably do this one myself though. Not looking forward to it, but I have to say I am relieved it isn't a headgasket or heater core. It should be easier than replacing the water pump, but I need to look into it more since I'm not certain it can be done without taking the water pump out.

6080prado

Does anybody have a link or images of the applicable service manual pages covering the waterpump removal and/or thermostat? I shouldn't need to go that far, but I'd like the torque specs and am curious what sealant they use on the inlet since it doesn't have a gasket. I think I'm also going to replace the thermostat while I'm in there.