Sudden coolant loss? No visible leaks... - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

kjarrett · 08-06-2010, 10:39 AM

Have had my '97 LE for 4 years, 27k miles, now pushing 210,000. (Bought from the original owner, fanatically maintained. Runs fantastic.) I never remember the coolant reservoir having an issue or needing to be topped off. I had the coolant flushed at the stealership about a year ago. The other day I noticed the overflow tank was DRY (car was cold). I opened the radiator cap and saw coolant was there. I filled up the overflow tank with some of the new-fangled Prestone (mixes with everything) coolant, all the way to the 'FULL' line. I've driven it around a bit and now the tank when cold is about 1/3 of the way below the 'FULL' line.

If it stays where it is I'm not worried. I'm more concerned the tank went dry in the first place. It's not dropping coolant. I do detect an ever-so-faint smell of coolant in the engine bay however, especially when the engine is hot. I'm going to keep my eye on it but was wondering if this throws up any red flags for you experienced Camry types.

TIA,

-kj-

BamZipPow · 08-06-2010, 11:12 AM

I would check that radiator...probably has a crack in the top tank.

I got a replacement at AutoZone fer my wife's 2001 Camry fer about $200 or so.

73sport · 08-06-2010, 11:12 AM

^^ Water pump comes to mind if you can't see it anywhere else. When was the last time the pump, pullies and timing belt were replaced?

Heed the warning, if you smell it, its there to tell you something so I suggest you find it before it finds you!

Also, you change the oil yourself? You might do that and poor it into a clear container to stand overnight and take a look. Not to worry you but just help you gather more information so you make an informed decision.

73sport · 08-06-2010, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BamZipPow

I would check that radiator...probably has a crack in the top tank.

I got a replacement at AutoZone fer my wife's 2001 Camry fer about $200 or so.

Could be. . .

but, once the system has a leak like permanent hole/crack, they have a hard time pulling a vacuum and sucking coolant in from the reservoir so it stays full.

kjarrett · 08-06-2010, 11:25 AM

Thanks everyone.

Timing belt has been done twice, once at 90k and again at 160k, I need to call the stealership and see if the RO has a record of the water pump being done either of those times.

If the tank has a leak, wouldn't it be dropping on the ground?

I just did an oil change and there is definitely some oil not where it's supposed to be:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kjarret...th/4866186460/

I've also sent an oil sample away to Blackstone Labs, my third on this car. Should have #s in about a week or two.

-kj-

97ToyCar · 08-06-2010, 06:03 PM

I took a look at those oil photos, looks to me like we have a rear main beginning to go, but I'm not totally sure. At those kinds of miles, it would be fairly common.

kjarrett · 08-06-2010, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 97ToyCar

I took a look at those oil photos, looks to me like we have a rear main beginning to go, but I'm not totally sure. At those kinds of miles, it would be fairly common.

I hear you. Would a mechanic be able to tell easily if it was on a lift?

And what's a rear main seal repair gonna run me?

-kj-

redtigerrocks · 08-06-2010, 07:35 PM

When your engine is hot, is the reservoir full?

Nebbuchanezzar · 08-06-2010, 07:37 PM

rear main sounds more likely, but another possibility is maybe blown head-gasket...your engine will begin to consume coolant and burn it off...see if someone can take a good look at it up on a lift, but you may need to have the gaskets/seals replaced...nbd for someone mechanically inclined and with enough time...but if you take it to a dealer or mechanic to do it, in my experience toyota of santa monica quoted me about $2000-3000 depending as a rough estimate... O.o then I ordered parts online and got some cases of beer and got'er done with a buddy...one weekend and like $100 total IIRC...

kjarrett · 08-06-2010, 07:40 PM

Um, wow.

I just spent some time browsing threads about rear main seals.

I'm pretty depressed. From the sounds of it, so many thing need to be removed, and the "might as well replace XXX while you have it apart" list really is wonderful. I was hoping a local trans shop or mechanic could do it but now I see the steering rack also is effected (I just had a 4-wheel alignment done).

Not sure what to do. Thinking about doing the valve cover myself, cleaning it off real good, and using some Auto-RX and calling it a day. This is our second car, wondering about the wisdom of dropping a couple of grand into the car at this point.

- all three seals, not just rear main (while you have it apart)
- water pump (while you have it apart)
- axles (while you have it apart)
- engine mounts (while you have it apart)
- timing belt (while you have it apart) [was done 50k miles ago at 160k]

I love this car. It's in great shape otherwise. It does have a rattle in the rear suspension that I think is a swaybar bushing but I have to check. Just trying to understand what my best options are here...

-kj-

kjarrett · 08-06-2010, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redtigerrocks

When your engine is hot, is the reservoir full?

yes

kjarrett · 08-06-2010, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nebbuchanezzar

rear main sounds more likely, but another possibility is maybe blown head-gasket...your engine will begin to consume coolant and burn it off...see if someone can take a good look at it up on a lift, but you may need to have the gaskets/seals replaced...nbd for someone mechanically inclined and with enough time...but if you take it to a dealer or mechanic to do it, in my experience toyota of santa monica quoted me about $2000-3000 depending as a rough estimate... O.o then I ordered parts online and got some cases of beer and got'er done with a buddy...one weekend and like $100 total IIRC...

I'm having the oil analyzed and we'll know for sure if there is any coolant or other stuff in there soon.

redtigerrocks · 08-06-2010, 07:52 PM

I think your coolant is fine IMO if your reservoir is full when warm

kjarrett · 08-06-2010, 07:52 PM

The coolant overflow tank I filled yesterday to the 'FULL' line is now 1/2 way between the 'FULL' and 'LOW' marks, and I didn't even drive much today. I have topped it off AGAIN to the 'FULL' line and will see if the rate of loss continues. I'm betting the oil analysis confirms we're talking about a blown head gasket. Joy.