I am putting a half a gallon of coolant in ever two weeks. I see no leaks or puddles. I flushed the radiator and replaced the lower radiator hose a couple of months ago. Where is all this coolant going?:banghead: Thanks.

Could be you have a small enough leak that it just evaporates when it hits the hot engine, thus no pudddles. Or you could have a bad head gasket, and the coolant is being burned. The 3.0 V6 and 22RE are known for hg problems.

Man, it better not be a head gasket:uhoh: . Can I do a compression check to verify?

I had the same problem on a NEW engine replaced the radiator cap and it stopped. Didn't make sense but it fixed it. (no overflow or traces)

If you do a compression check make sure the coolant system is not pressurized.

If you do a compression check make sure the coolant system is not pressurized.

I think he meant a compression check on the cooling system, since we're talking about a coolant leak.

Man, it better not be a head gasket:uhoh: . Can I do a compression check to verify?

He is talking about a compression check to test the head gasket.
How does the cooling system compress coolant? I know it pressurizes from heat expansion, not compression.

I meant to type a pressure check of the cooling system, to check for leaks.
It's an easy place to start. A cooling system pressure test is simpler than a compression test. But the easiest starting point is a new cap.

It's an easy place to start. A cooling system pressure test is simpler than a compression test. But the easiest starting point is a new cap.
fourwd1 is right, the first place to start would be to do a "leak down" test.
The same tester is capable of testing the radiator cap also.
Good luck, and let us know.

I would do the following:

1)Place a napkin/paper towel over the tailpipe for a few minutes and smell it or see it for coolant residue
2)Perform an cooling system compression check
3)Perform an engine compression check
4)Perform a leak down test
5)Perform a fluid analysis test by buying a fluid analysis kit for $15-20 at any local Caterpillar dealer or any heavy duty repair shop that repairs bulldozers,cats,backhoes,big rigs & more.
6)There is a headgasket recall on most of the V6 engines used in Toyota trucks & 4-Runners,see below

21 Toyota headgasket & oil sludge recall sites:

http://www.brian894x4.com/V6headgasketrecall.html
http://home.off-road.com/~kemanuel/V6-HG.htm
http://www.off-road.com/toyota/4runner/topqs.html
http://www.yotatech.com/~corey/4runner_faq.htm
http://www.off-road.com/toyota/4runner/topqs.html
http://www.babcox.com/editorial/ic/ic110028.htm
http://www.alldata.com/recall/make/Toyota_Truck.html
http://www.alldata.com/TSB/60/94601650.html
http://www.yotarepair.com/Campaigns.html (3.4L,V6,headgasket recall)
http://home.off-road.com/~bibelheimer/3.4v6_headgasket.html (3.4L,V6,headgasket recall)
http://home.4x4wire.com/erik/t100/3.4v6_headgasket.htm
http://www.jasperengines.com/pdf/5SFECoolantLeaksTB.pdf
http://www.nordicgroup.us/oil.htm#Toyota%20Sludge
http://www.toyota.com/about/news/product/2002/04/03-1-consumer.html
http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2002/04/04/toyota-sludge.htm
http://www.petitiononline.com/TMC2003/petition.html
http://groups.msn.com/ToyotaOwnersUniteforResolution/headgaskettsb.msnw
http://groups.msn.com/ToyotaOwnersUniteforResolution/headgaskets.msnw
http://www.babcox.com/editorial/ic/ic100052.htm
http://www.autosite.com/content/own/service/index.cfm/action/recalls

The dealership will give a free rental car for a day or two and replace other routing maintenance parts and only bill you for those parts.The headgasket & it's labour is of course free.

Sidney® ™
Repairs tv's,vcr's,home/car audio out of my home
E-mail:sidneybek@yahoo.com
Dartmouth,Nova Scotia
Canada
1985 Toyota 4-Runner,solid front straight axle,factory cruise control,sunroof,22R-E,W56,RN60LV-MSEK,rusted rear step/towing chrome bumper with 247 000 KM

http://groups.google.com/group/hfx.forsale/browse_thread/thread/43940ce83231ab85/4e4c696fbf04837f?q=sidney+tv+repair&rnum=1#4e4c696fbf04837f

http://www.iwaynet.net/~nesda/May02/May18.html
http://www.iwaynet.net/~nesda/SonyAudMod.html
http://www.newark.com/product-details/image/mcm/image/32-9495.jpg
http://www.tipsmaster.ca/hottips-1.HTM
http://www.tipsmaster.ca/1011-TV32C50-007.jpg
http://www.iwaynet.net/~nesda/June03/June0315.html
http://www.iwaynet.net/~nesda/Apr03/Apr033.html


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