2001 Coolant leak - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

outofwork · 12-07-2010, 10:28 PM

My 2001 camry is leaking coolant. You can see coolant all over the front inside of the hood, on the top of the rad and on the bottom cover. But i can't find a leak any where, it only does it if you drive it for 25 or 30 miles on the hwy. Even when idling hot and reving the engine I can not find any leak. You can see lot of spray on the manfold, but I can't find he leak. I am considering replacing the rad. Does this seem like a good step, the new one is less than $100.

***JohnGD*** · 12-07-2010, 10:32 PM

Maybe it's a hairline crack on the top plastic tank of the radiator? That's a common spot for rad failures.

Also check for pin-hole leaks on rad hoses. it's also time to change out the rad hoses, radiator cap and thermostat. Use Toyota Red with distilled water.

Some here say get a TYC rad from rockauto.

But verify the problem first before throwing money at parts.

Quote:

Originally Posted by outofwork

My 2001 camry is leaking coolant. You can see coolant all over the front inside of the hood, on the top of the rad and on the bottom cover. But i can't find a leak any where, it only does it if you drive it for 25 or 30 miles on the hwy. Even when idling hot and reving the engine I can not find any leak. You can see lot of spray on the manfold, but I can't find he leak. I am considering replacing the rad. Does this seem like a good step, the new one is less than $100.

outofwork · 12-07-2010, 10:57 PM

Thanks for the quick response, I checked all the hoses for any leaks and while I know they need to be replaced, I can't find any leaks in them. If the plastic tank has a fracture why dont I see coolant coming out? It looks pretty wet under the front of hood area. Thanks for your help!

***LynchburgCSI*** · 12-07-2010, 10:59 PM

I'd like to clarify that the hairline crack is on the plastic part of the radiator right next to the rad cap. NOT on the reserve tank.

edit: If the engine is cool, start the engine and wait for it to slowly come to temp WHILE WATCHING IT. Then check for steam leaks. BE CAREFUL as the vapor is toxic.

outofwork · 12-07-2010, 11:01 PM

also, what do you mean by toyota red, it has always had green coolant in it and we've had it for over 8 years.

***LynchburgCSI*** · 12-07-2010, 11:02 PM

^ Toyota OEM coolant is red. Someone may have switched it over to green before you bought it. Just use green if you have green in the system.

outofwork · 12-07-2010, 11:05 PM

Ok, Thanks, I"ll give that a try. Later

***JohnGD*** · 12-08-2010, 12:38 AM

If it's worked for 8 years it's probably not too bad. But what brand of "green" exactly?

BTW, the toyota "red" is the red colored "Long Life" coolant. It's silicate-free. This is not the new pink "Super Long Life" they have now that's not good for iron block engines or brass/copper radiators or heater cores.

Quote:

Originally Posted by outofwork

also, what do you mean by toyota red, it has always had green coolant in it and we've had it for over 8 years.

***fenixus*** · 12-08-2010, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by outofwork

it has always had green coolant in it and we've had it for over 8 years.

was it ever changed in 8 years? if no then your is highly corrosive already and most likely the Water Pump will be next to fail if it hasn't been changed over that time ...

drain the cooling system completely and refill with fresh coolant ... either your green mixture if it worked well for you or the red TLLC (Toyota Long Life Concentrate) with distilled water (mix it 50/50).

as mentioned above, changing hoses, thermostat at same time will be an inexpensive addition to this repair/maintenance. rad cap is not too expensive either, but please get it from dealer, same about thermostat (online is cheap) to avoid unnecessary trouble.

***JohnGD*** · 12-08-2010, 10:45 PM

hehe yes I meant when changed every 2-years using the silicated coolant for 8 years without ill effects on the pump is not bad. But leaving the 2-year coolant in there for 8-years would be bad.

JDw/aCAMRY · 09-30-2011, 06:57 PM

I had a similar problem, if not the same problem. 2001 camry was over-heating. I tried topping off coolant, but that didn't help. I tried flushing the radiator and system, that showed me the coolant was leaking where the hose came off the engine or pump (right under the alternator). I took that apart and found the thermostat. It turned out to be the O-ring on the thermostat needed replacing. $5 solution. I'm so happy I didn't bring it to a mechanic.

ty**20 · 09-30-2011, 10:38 PM

^as said. its prob. be the o-ring. when i had a leak on mine, i put some high temp RTV gasket maker around the o-ring to seal it tight.