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Are you absolutely sure it really is the water pump? Just a lot of other things it could potentially be that are way easier to fix. Might want to put some UV dye in there and double check.
I've had service writers try all sorts of things. Definitely not a common repair for this vehicle to have a leaking water pump at 91k miles.
Hi all. I was changing my engine oil and while I was down there, I realized there’s a hole eaten through the front factory skid plate along the center line of the car (I just bought the GX used….☹️). When I took it off, I saw clear red fluid dripping from the engine. Help me identify it. Is this transmission fluid? Or is the the transfer case people talk about?
It looks coolant to me too but you need to identify if it is coolant or oil of some kind.
1. You can put some UV dye into the coolant in your radiator (I have dye in the coolant in all of our vehicles), then you can check for leaks with a cheap UV light.
2. Clean up the area with degreaser then apply baby powder with a brush. Check the next day to see where the liquid is coming from.
Possibly you have the coolant valley leak or one of the hoses might be cracked. Make sure you check your fluid levels frequently before it is fixed.
I thought the same thing. I’m wrestling with the idea that it’s been ongoing for such a while that the skid plate is eaten away at where it’s dropped onto it. So perhaps the dark is just dirt that the coolant has mixed with. Either way it needs to be looked at.
Time to get a really bright light and look at the top and bottom of the motor. I suspect that you're leaking coolant and it should be pretty easy to determine the source. For the oil, if it isn't dripping on the ground, it probably isn't too bad. I would suggest spraying down the underside of the motor and skid plate and get it really clean and then keep an eye on it. Sometimes an old oil leak can be tough to trace when the oil gets everywhere and then dirt clings to it.
How many miles on the GX and what year is it? As far as coolant leaks, it happens on these cars. Quite a few of us have either had to do the water pump or the radiator, though usually with those you get the pink crusties and not liquid-state coolant. For that, start with the obvious points like your hoses, clamps, and the expansion tank...
Time to get a really bright light and look at the top and bottom of the motor. I suspect that you're leaking coolant and it should be pretty easy to determine the source. For the oil, if it isn't dripping on the ground, it probably isn't too bad. I would suggest spraying down the underside of the motor and skid plate and get it really clean and then keep an eye on it. Sometimes an old oil leak can be tough to trace when the oil gets everywhere and then dirt clings to it.
How many miles on the GX and what year is it? As far as coolant leaks, it happens on these cars. Quite a few of us have either had to do the water pump or the radiator, though usually with those you get the pink crusties and not liquid-state coolant. For that, start with the obvious points like your hoses, clamps, and the expansion tank...
thanks for that.
it’s a 2014 with 93k. Sadly a completely unknown service history, which I regret, though this crazy market dictated that unfortunately.
I don’t see the classic red crusties like you and many other posts reference, which was why I was initially confused. I agree a deep cleaning and observe is in order.
Like others have stated, that's coolant. Shine around and find the highest wet spot...check your clamps, sometimes its as easy as just spinning the clamp 90 degrees around the hose. I could see that being spillage from a recent fill, if somebody recently filled it. You might get lucky...at least it isn't the valley plate leak that I just did.
Took it in and Toyota dealership said it was the water pump. It’s not horrible apparently but they quoted me to replace just the pump itself. Anyone have strong thoughts on this? I was thinking the thermostat and belt at least.
At that mileage and while they are in there, have them do the thermostat housing and the serp belt. For all that, hopefully you around $1000 or so at Toyota parts/labor.
08-06-21, 11:56 AM
