I have a peculiar leak and I'm SCARED! - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

GregElliott · 12-08-2008, 07:30 PM

3S-FE 4cyl, 1991 base camry sv21 autotrans

Okay, I'm shaking in my boots.
I started my car again this evening and let it warm up... noticed some antifreeze on the ground and thought "please let it be a loose hose"
well it's not.. it looks like the coolant is dripping from the top of the oil pan on the end closest to the transmission.. it looks like it may be seeping out of the oil pan? maybe?

so what could this be? cracked block? I hope not!

Doctor J · 12-08-2008, 09:16 PM

If coolant gets into the oil the latter is gonna look like milkshake.
Possible places to leak: freeze plug
water pump cover to block seal[and coolant runs down over the pan flange to the lowest point next to tranny]
head to upper hose outlet gasket.
Pictures will be helpful

GregElliott · 12-08-2008, 09:21 PM

i'll try to get pics.. it was hard to see with the naked eye with the crossmember in the way
I kinda hope the water pump is leaking because that would be easier to swallow than having a shot engine.. i'd just hate to have to do that timing belt job alllll over again.
and where are the freeze plugs?

Doctor J · 12-08-2008, 09:42 PM

four of them on the fierwall side and at least two under exhaust manifold, the round flat plugs about 1.5 inch dia.

GregElliott · 12-08-2008, 09:43 PM

ohh ok I know what they are now... man, wouldn't the ones on the firewall side be a huge pain to access?

***new echo owner*** · 12-09-2008, 01:27 AM

Wouldn't that be where the coolant outlet and heater hoses are, the transmission end; the water pump would be on the front of the engine not the transmission end.

N.E.O.

GregElliott · 12-09-2008, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by new echo owner

Wouldn't that be where the coolant outlet and heater hoses are, the transmission end; the water pump would be on the front of the engine not the transmission end.

N.E.O.

Yeah but it doesn't appear that the heater hoses or outlet are leaking

***new echo owner*** · 12-09-2008, 09:48 PM

About the only thing left in that area is the head gaskets. Maybe we just wait until you have a chance to post some picture before speculating any further.

N.E.O.

blkdmnrcing · 12-10-2008, 01:29 PM

doctor j said about the water pump, if its a slow enough leak (not a steady stream) it will run down the the block and across the front of the oil pan. you can visibly look at the water pump weep hole, or on the block around the water pump. if it was a head gasket, you could just look at the block all the way across to see if there is any residue. if you dont see any residue, i think the best thing to do would be to start it up and wait until you see coolant leaking out the bottom of the car and then take a light to try and follow the stream and that should lead you to the point. i've replaced the head gasket and the water pump on my car so im sure my freeze plugs will be next. good luck.