I have begun to smell the faint smell of paper burning and a little coolant leaks out near the firewall. I thought it might be the heater hoses going out but I can't figure out what the paper smell is. Is this V-6 about to blow a gasket?

>>>*The leak can usually be isolated by using a radiator pressure tester to bring the system up to 15# or so, then simply watch for where the leak appears.

*The "paper burning" comment interests me, I noticed a similar smell from my old Camaro. I even looked around under the hood for insulation or something like that, finally I figured out the old engine (200,000+ miles is very old for a GM engine) was using a small amount of oil, the smell was actually coming from the exhaust.

Just a combination of oxygenated fuel with oil residue and the Cat dealing with it, I believe. If some coolant is reaching the combustion chamber, then this will increase oil usage some. That might be what is going on.....*EB

Any idea on where to get a coolant pressure tester? I can't seem to find one for sale or rent.

This is what you want:



http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002SRGWU/002-0328033-7158410?v=glance&n=228013

I have one and it really helped me with my cooling system probmels a few years ago.

-Jeff

That looks like the exact one Autozone rented me that didn't fit.

You may need an adapter like this one:



http://www.atoolcrib.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=707&language=1

I don't know if this is the only Toyota adapter. FWIW, I didn't need an adapter to use the Stant tester on my 1986 truck.

Nevermind. It was the stant MT-300. It doesn't matter anyway. I found the leak. It was (as I suspected) a heater hose. I couldn't see a leak so I starting pulling on all the hoses until I found one that gave way. Replaced it and eveything is good now. Thanks everyone.