Leaking antifreeze from rear of vehicle

[chinrv]

Our 2008 Sienna FWD is leaking antifreeze out of the back of the van, from inside the compartment accessed through the small door where the jack is stored. Evidently there is some boxy unit in there which must be a rear heater. The fluid is running down the boxy unit and then dripping out the drain hole for that compartment. Today being Sat., no dealer to call. Has anyone had any similar problems with the rear heater leaking antifreeze. Chinrv

[69Firebird400]

I also have a 2008 Sienna, and although I have not experienced a similar problem, ironically after about 150 miles of driving yesterday (two 75 mile trips), when I parked it in the garage, I smelled antifreeze. I was too busy to investigate further.

Let us know how things turn out for you.

[tkevin07]

are you sure its antifreeze or is it just water, when you run the ac the rear will leak water because there is a ac drain line back there, also if its an 08 take it back to the dealer for warranty

[chinrv]

The rear heater assembly has a crack and has leaked quite a bit of antifreeze. It's been in the dealership overnight because they had to order a new assembly, and hopefully it will all be done by this evening (Tues.). There was no mistaking the pink, slimy fluid for condensation, especially when I could see it coming out of the broken unit.

[tkevin07]

haha srry some people i met thought the water was coolant and coolant was oil

[chinrv]

With only 4K miles and a few months old, the repairs were covered under warranty. The unit that had to be replaced was a bit complicated, with its own little radiator, and AC connections as well as a heater core. The plastic box, about 5x5x5", apparently has a top and bottom with both glued together, including a gasket. The leak was along the glued joint. The service manager hadn't seen this problem before (I don't know if the '08 units are the same as previous years), but there was also a Toyota rep there today, soooooo, pictures were taken and the broken unit sent back to R&D in Calif. By the way, this was done at Boulder Toyota and everyone there has been SUPER NICE!
...keep your eyes open for similar leaks in your Sienna's rear heater. Chinrv

[toyota 08]

i AM HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM.bOUGHT THE CAR 2 WKS AGO AND SEE LEAKAGE OF FLUID FROM THE BACK AS WELL AS FROM THE BOTTOM AND IT LOOKS LIKE ANTIFREEZE.i HAVE NOT GONE TO THE DEALER YET.
ALSO MY VAN ALSO SEEMS TO HAVE A TRANSMISSION DELAY.IT TAKES AWHILE (2-3)SECS WHEN I PRESS THE GAS PEDAL TO REACT AND SOMETIMES WHEN I HIT THE BREAK, IT LOOK LIKE THE CAR ACCELERATES ITSELF...DO YOU HAV E THE SAME PROBLEM???
LET ME KNOW WHAT THEY DID FOR YOUR LEAK

Originally Posted by chinrv

Our 2008 Sienna FWD is leaking antifreeze out of the back of the van, from inside the compartment accessed through the small door where the jack is stored. Evidently there is some boxy unit in there which must be a rear heater. The fluid is running down the boxy unit and then dripping out the drain hole for that compartment. Today being Sat., no dealer to call. Has anyone had any similar problems with the rear heater leaking antifreeze. Chinrv

[chinrv]

See the 3/11/08 post. The repair was covered under warranty, so you might want to get it to the dealer ASAP. It's been fine since then. CHINRV