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Question: 1987 Toyota pickup with 22R, not fuel injected, significant coolant leak

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1987Toy22R, 3.0L V6, Freeport, ME, October 11, 2011, 14:48
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can't locate leak, although engine looks a little moist drivers side back, and front part of engine near belts (mostly in back). no visible hose leak, much pressure in return hose to radiator after car is stopped. no fluid is sucked into radiator from reserve tank when antifreeze is low. no water in oil, no abnormal exhaust. new radiator. changed thermostat and found a piece of rubber, perhaps part of a rubber gasket...found another piece floating in radiator. no leak when at rest or idling (that I can see)THANKS!

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  • Answer #1

    patrick mannion from Greg Solow's Engine Room, October 11, 2011, 22:21
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    I don't think there is a freeze plug in the back of that head, the leak may be from under the head gasket itself. The front leak sounds like possibly the water pump, the third problem is a bad radiator cap (suction valve is stuck in the cap). The way an automotive shop would locate the leak is by removing the radiator cap and attaching an adapter that screws on in place of the radiator cap. Something that looks like a bicycle pump with a pressure gauge attached to it is used to "pump up" pressure to simulate pressure generated when the cooling system is at operating temperature, the leak is then found sometimes it is obviously leaking from a coolant hose or cracked housing, failed gasket or water pump, sometimes the engines cooling system needs to be inspected from below or inspected using a mirror and flash light. If the coolant loss is still evasive dye can be added to the cooling system that may indicate the source of the leak. A mysterious coolant loss may even be a sign of a head gasket that is not sealing well.

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