Toyota Camry: Mysterious Coolant Leak Location -- V6 Camry

"Ken Hall" <rr.com> wrote in message
news:com... 

This type of leak can occur if the old cap was not holding pressure and with
the new cap and higher pressure, a leak has developed, or one of the heater
hoses is weeping at its clamp and the resultant drops of coolant are running
down some part or the engine and dropping on the floor well away from the
source.

In general if a car has had plain water as a coolant for an extended time
(years) corrosion can pock-mark/rust various coolant fittings making it
difficult to attain a good seal. Was this the case? If so I would seriously
consider using a lower pressure cap,....has worked for me numerous times
with very old cars which have been abused in this area. I hope its not one
of the head-gaskets!

One way to sussout a mysterious leak is to put the car up on stands and run
the engine at idle till you see the first drop on the floor (use your new
radiator cap so pressure is highest). A bright light may just allow you to
see where its coming from. Look everywhere as the leak maybe coming from
quite a distance from where it actually drops to the floor.

Jason

On Mon, 24 Nov 2003 20:05:20 GMT, "Jason James" <com>
wrote:
 

Thanks for your reply.

The cooling system was pristine clean when I changed the hoses and
coolant -- the old coolant was clear and there wasn't a hint of
corrosion at the hose connections.

The replacement hoses are not leaking at the connections. I am sure
of this.

I know where the leak drops onto the floor and was able to trace it
back up in the engine compartment until it disappears under some
obstructions. That's how I know it's origin is in the vicinity of 6"
- 10" below the forward/front edge of the intake manifold. This would
be something like 12" - 20" inches up from the bottom of the engine
compartment.

Ken

Check the weep hole on the water pump.

george

Did you use/have Toyota anti-freeze (the red stuff) in it? I have seen
a few times when people change to other types (the green stuff), the
water pump goes shortly after (check the weep hole on the water pump).
The Toyota antifreeze is about $11. a gallon, but experience has
taught me that it is really a bargain.

Bob

On 25 Nov 2003 04:10:29 GMT, com (Pakgeorge) wrote: