2004 Tacoma 3.4 Fluid/Engine/??? Help. ASAP

[04 Rocko Taco]

Okay guys, was out and about today and everything was fine, I came out from the bookstore, and when I cranked it up, it made a strange noise, which we all know is never good.
Sort of clanking noise, almost like dry metal on metal or something, but there was no grinding or anything like that. I immediately shut it down and popped the hood, "fluid" all over the skid plate. Definitely not oil. 1/2 qt low on oil, pretty normal for me. Checked power steering fluid, but the dipstick looks pretty okay to me. Checked the trans dipstick and its full... I had it towed home, pulled it in the garage, still making the noise. Once turned off, if I try to start it it started then died, and then wouldn't start back. Haven't tried again, didnt want to push it.
Then I got to work, I took the skid plates off and no clear indicators of where its coming from. Fluid on most everything on the bottom from just behind the radiator all the way back to the cross member. Pulled the inspection plate off the front of the trans and to my delight everything in there was bone dry. I took a lot of pictures and will offer them up for you guys to review. Give me any and all thoughts. Need them, and need them, like, yesterday.

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/DSCN1236.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/DSCN1237.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/DSCN1238.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/DSCN1239.jpg

Reply here. If you have any SOLID ideas or think you have it NAILED, call me or text me.
404.four two one. 1487

[04 Rocko Taco]

More Pictures.

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/DSCN1240.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/DSCN1241.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/DSCN1242.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/DSCN1245.jpg

[04 Rocko Taco]

MORE pics.

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/DSCN1246.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/DSCN1247.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/DSCN1250.jpg

This one is first finger from power steering dipstick, second finger from under the truck. Looks like they match to me...
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k112/04RockoTaco/DSCN1252.jpg

[YotaFun]

Its coolant Chris.
Pull the top radiator hose off and take the timing cover off.
I am willing to bet that your water pump just seized on you.
and once it gets tight that starter can't handle it.

[slosurfer]

Yeah, I was just about to say, check your coolant and I bet it's your WP!

[Seanz0rz]

if it isn't coolant, check trans fluid. the power steering uses atf. could have burst one of the trans cooler lines.

the trans cooler lines run on the passenger side. check those lines, especially the pressure one. a split in that would spray atf everywhere.


what was the level of the ps fluid? could also be a ps fluid leak in the pressure line from pump to rack.

[YotaFun]

Only reason I don't think it is a trans line or power steering line issue is due to the fact he can't start the truck now.
If the pump was locked up on the ps it would just squeal the belt till it breaks.
I can't see that the trans went from just sitting in place so I don't thing the pump in the trans went either.

[04 Rocko Taco]

Looks to be water pump... WIll update in AM. Keep any more ideas coming!

[slosurfer]

Just by the pics of the fluid pattern, it really looks like wp. In one pic, the lower front of the engine is where it looks like the fluid starts, and the only thing down there that isn't super obvious like a hose or something, would be the WP

[CJM]

Whats it smell like? Obvious coolant smell points to WP imho.

[Seanz0rz]

chris confirmed its the wp. coolant everywhere, tasted the same (poor chris's kidneys!)

i pretty well figured it was the water pump, but if it wasnt coolant, then the other two options are possibilities. ive seen ATF shoot far and wide. then again, one usually knows that its atf.

good luck chris. im not looking forward to doing mine at 200k (im strongly considering an engine swap instead!) luckily i have about 17k until i have to do it. take pics and do a nice write up for us!

[04 Rocko Taco]

Didn't smell like much of anything, eventually I got around to the taste test as a confirmation of the theory of water pump, and it looks like WP locked up. GOnna do it and the timing belt.

Guess its not to bad for original WP and timing belt at 189K.

[Seanz0rz]

WOW! yeah you should have replaced it about 90k ago, at least! and with the towing, really should be every 60k.

[YotaFun]

Chris, Someone got a kit through e-bay that was all OEM parts.
Look it up and get the same kit.
I did.

Sean, it is a hell of a lot easier to do a timing belt with the water pump, idlers, tensioner and seals then it is to do a swap...

[rworegon]

The kit to get along with a new crank bolt from the local dealer:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Toyota-TIMING-BELT-WATER-PUMP-KIT-Genuine-OEM-Parts-4-Runner-Truck-3-4L-V6-/180729034728?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item2a144a37e8

[04 Rocko Taco]

I didn't go OEM, sue me. :)

Definitely overdue for the belt and WP.

[rworegon]

Some go OEM, some don't, but for parts like this I think OEM is the way to go. :)

[YotaFun]

Chris for a job like this I would go OEM, I have had 3 jobs last year come in that were timing belt jobs done with aftermarket parts, after 5k they failed...

[CJM]

Looking at those kits, oddly enough I cant really figure out a real difference between the kit linked and this similar one the seller has for 50 less http://www.ebay.com/itm/Toyota-3-4L-V6-Complete-Timing-Belt-Water-Pump-Kit-/190521450224?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item2c5bf69ef0

Sure one kit all is oem and the other has some parts that are trusted names but not oem thats it. I guess OEM is worth 50 bucks more..

Ill be purchasing one of those kits this summer myself.. ugh timing belt isnt fun.

[04 Rocko Taco]

If I had the tme to wait on the kit, I would DEFINITELY go OEM....

[04 Rocko Taco]

I'll justhave to kick myself in 5K and do it again, but right now time and money dictates this has to be done NOW, with the parts I have. :(

[04 Rocko Taco]

I should have known from the get go this was water pump. Freaking out like this is what you get with to little sleep and a LONG day followed by having to have your truck towed home. Sheesh.

[rworegon]

Looking at those kits, oddly enough I cant really figure out a real difference between the kit linked and this similar one the seller has for 50 less.

Sure one kit all is oem and the other has some parts that are trusted names but not oem thats it. I guess OEM is worth 50 bucks more..


CJM, good observation. I normally link both kits, but was feeling a bit lazy. For a few more Toyota labels, one pays $50 more.....the parts in the cheaper priced kit are the same brands as the Toyota labeled kit, but in the packaging of the brand. For myself, I use the lower priced kit and have never had any problems with it (4 or 5 times now).

[Erich_870]

This thread is probaly the one you want to read over: http://www.ultimateyota.com/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=26&topic=9490.msg95771#msg95771

Erich

[CJM]

CJM, good observation. I normally link both kits, but was feeling a bit lazy. For a few more Toyota labels, one pays $50 more.....the parts in the cheaper priced kit are the same brands as the Toyota labeled kit, but in the packaging of the brand. For myself, I use the lower priced kit and have never had any problems with it (4 or 5 times now).


Sounds good then, 50 bucks is some nice coin that can be saved.

Im going to be tackling this job sometime in the future, I luckily have the tensioner tool so I can get the belt off ez but its still going to be fun. Coming up to 100k on it very soon.

[04 Rocko Taco]

just dont wait till 189K when it makes funny noises and pukes coolant everywhere. :)

[rworegon]

....you were lucky it happened where it did, so you did not overheat and end up with a bigger problem. :)

[04 Rocko Taco]

....you were lucky it happened where it did, so you did not overheat and end up with a bigger problem. :)


100% true.