3rd & 4th Generation (1992–1996 & 1997–2001)Toyota Camry Discussion for years: 1992-1996 & 1997-2001
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Why does my car leak a few drops of coolant around the thermostat/water pump area only when i drive my car for about 5 mins or more?
I'm thinking if its the water pump, i'd find a whole puddle under the car, and it would continue to leak when the car is cold, this only lleaks a few drops when the cars warm?
What could cause this?
I'm guessing the coolant leak is somehow connected to this?
Could it have something to do with thermostat?>
HELP!
Last edited by GRANDE,GRANDE!!; 03-19-2010 at 03:07 AM.
The water pump "weeps" coolant when the shaft seal is about shot -- that's a strong warning to replace the pump. There's a special "weep hole" on the pump especially designed so you can see that coolant escaping. Without pics, I can't say for certain that's your issue, but it seems likely.
Hill8570 is most likely right, probably the water pump weep hole, on my V6 anyway (2002 1FMZE) you have to remove the timing belt cover to even look at the water pump so that's a place to start. (I dont get how the thermostat would be part of the issue, since its located on the other end of the engine at least on mine. If its leaking you have a gasket replacement job to do.)
It seems like you're not sure exactly where the leak is coming from. In such a situation I would normally wash off the engine with simple green (there's plenty of posts ohere on how to do that) and look again for the leak, before spending money.
If you have to change the water pump might as well change the belt too unless its been very recently done.
Last edited by AlmightyCamry777; 02-24-2010 at 01:51 PM.
You need to change the water pump. Use Toyota Red coolant and distilled water. Might as well do a complete job by using:
(an older www.rockauto.com prices for 3/5SFE)
GATES TCK199 (kit of timing belt with two pulleys and instruction)
$84.79
GATES Part # K030295 PS belt $4.32
GATES Part # K050435 Alt/AC $12.12
FEL-PRO TCS45641 Cam seal $4.11
FEL-PRO TCS45920 Crank seal $6.04
BCA Part # 221820 Oil pump seal $2.71
AISIN (Toyota #16110-79185) water pump $58.79
FEL-PRO VS50304R valve cover gasket set $13.94
When it's cold, remove the radiator cap. Is the radiator full?
Quote:
Originally Posted by GRANDE,GRANDE!!
I'm thinking if its the water pump, i'd find a whole puddle under the car, and it would continue to leak when the car is cold, this only lleaks a few drops when the cars warm?
What could cause this?
Also if i drive my car too much it begins to overheat SLIGHTLY... no red zone, just needle moves up a bit.
I'm guessing the coolant leak is somehow connected to this?
Here is a photo. This is not taken off my actual car, as i cant get my camera working as yet to upload a photo but this is basically where i can locate white spots of coolant and where the leak is directly under this on the ground.
Worn seals behave differently under pressure. When you drive it longer it builds pressure in the cooling system and the seal applies pressure to the shaft stopping the drip.
Gaskets seldom fail in this manner so I think you nailed it with a bad water pump. These things don't tend to fix themselves and as mentioned, these are the warning signs.
If there are no other signs of it being hot, it may not be hot.
Do the fans kick on and stay on? Does it ping or detonate when you take off on steep hill (when hot). Is it full of coolant?
__________________
95 Cam, V6 1MZ, Auto A541E, LE >245,000 miles!
Here is a photo. This is not taken off my actual car, as i cant get my camera working as yet to upload a photo but this is basically where i can locate white spots of coolant and where the leak is directly under this on the ground.
You had me going for a minute there, but I looked it up, and sure enough, the '96 Vienta Grande still used the 3VZ engine.
Yup, that's the right location for a water pump leak. Could be a hose or gasket, 'tho, but it ain't likely unless someone has been down there messing with stuff.
BTW, your thermostat is on the other side of the car -- it's on the inlet side of the engine.
Do the fans kick on and stay on? Does it ping or detonate when you take off on steep hill (when hot). Is it full of coolant?
When the fans kick on, yes they stay on until i turn the car off and leave it for a few hours. but then the same cycle starts, if i drive for tooo long, or i drive at HIGH RPMS, the fans kick on and stay on, and since its a Hydraulic fan, as you know, it increases in speed and noise everytime i push on the accelerator.
However, if its a cold day, the fans wont come on at all no matter how far or high i rev/drive the car, but the slow leak is always there. hot or cold weather.
It does not show any ping or detonate signs when hot, but then again i never drive on hills. And yes it is ALWAYS full of coolant at the filler necks, both radiator and engine. The only thing that goes down is the over flow bottle, maybe 2cms every 3 days.
Last edited by GRANDE,GRANDE!!; 02-26-2010 at 12:56 AM.
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Intermittant Coolant leak on a V6
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