Logical explantion for low coolant level? - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

justthinking · 06-21-2010, 01:46 AM

07 Camry about 4 1/2 yrs old w/ 65k miles on it..never replace or even refill coolant until just now..

I just came back from a trip down to LA from SF and natually I checked all the fluid level after wash the car this morning..I was surprised to find the coolant level is below the L fill line..

Is there any possible explanation for low coolant level when engine is cold that not involve leaks, bad water pump, bad hose or loose/bad hose clamps?

Also, if I am to add coolant (going to get a gallon of Toyota Super Long ife from dealer tomorrow) should I add to F line when engine is cold? What will happen if there is too much coolant when engine get hot (and coolant expand and return to overflow tank)?

The coolant level when engine is hot is about half between the F and L which I thought was normal?

Roger R. · 06-21-2010, 10:44 AM

You don't say whether it's a V-6 or 4 cyl. Mine is a 4 cyl, and at around 45000 found the water pump leaking and noisy. The noise caught my attention first, but had occasions of low coolant before that. My fault, should have looked closer at water pump. Anyway, if it's a 4, look at the water pump very close and you'll probably see a pinkish crusty buildup under the pully. I changed mine with a NEW pump from Autozone and Prestone antifreeze after a extensive flush to rid the system of all the pink stuff. I know a lot of guys will say I'm crazy for going that way, but Toyota OEM didn't show me anything with a life of 45000 miles. And the Autozone pump was 1/3 the price of OEM and Prestone antifreeze 1/4 the cost of OEM stuff. Do your own investigation into parts and follow your gut on it. To me it was a pretty substantial savings. Good luck..........Roger R.

Donald E. George · 06-21-2010, 02:13 PM

Refill to full line when cold. Drive it several days. Check level again. IF you put too much coolant in the overflow tank,it will probably discharge coolant out the vent to atmosphere.

justthinking · 06-21-2010, 03:12 PM

It's a V6, I will take your advise and refill w/ Toyotal Super Long Life first and contiune observe the level.
BTW, where is the water pump located on the V6?

sxe-10 · 06-21-2010, 11:13 PM

my water pump went at 80,xxx kms, that caused my low coolant issue and loud noises, my dealer covered it under the powertrain warranty. But I am very upset that it gave out so fast, its not even 4 years since i've had the car

SIrMack · 10-05-2010, 11:07 AM

I just checked my fluid today and it was super low (like maybe half an inch in the reservoir).

I have a 03 4-cylinder XLE. So I am guessing it is the water pump?

Where is it on the vehicle so I can check for that pink residue?

Is it easy to change?

Thanks!

***arabianobsession*** · 10-05-2010, 12:00 PM

Water pumps are FAMOUS for going out early in life in both Camrys and Corollas. Always my first guess. Follow the serpentine belt down to the water pump. 4 cylinders aren't as hard to change as the V6, but still a pain in the you-know-what.

gdanaher · 10-05-2010, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justthinking

It's a V6, I will take your advise and refill w/ Toyotal Super Long Life first and contiune observe the level.
BTW, where is the water pump located on the V6?

The pump on the 2GR is on the front of the engine so it sees both banks of cylinders. There is no room to r&r the pump without pulling the engine out several inches. Huge job. Pump is cheap but the labor for lifting the engine out to get to the pump runs around a grand.

***arabianobsession*** · 10-05-2010, 01:16 PM

And most technicians will do just about anything over a 2GR water pump, too.

SIrMack · 10-05-2010, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gdanaher

The pump on the 2GR is on the front of the engine so it sees both banks of cylinders. There is no room to r&r the pump without pulling the engine out several inches. Huge job. Pump is cheap but the labor for lifting the engine out to get to the pump runs around a grand.

Wow! So what is the procedure for changing it on an 03 4-cylinder xle? What would the labor run for that? how many hours?

***arabianobsession*** · 10-05-2010, 01:30 PM

Like I said before the 4 cyl. isn't as much of a pain, but it's still labor intensive. I'd say it would still run you about 500-600 bucks.

fatngs · 10-05-2010, 01:42 PM

i had my water pump go at 45k on my 06 camry 4banger; for a few weeks i was hearing a grinding noise coming from something along the drive belt so i thought it was a bad pulley or something..... until one night on my way home from work i heard a different noise and i pulled over to find coolant pouring out of the pump and the belt almost completely off the pulleys; lucky for me it was covered under warranty but the belt tensioner somehow "broke" and cost me 300 bucks

mcdawgg · 10-06-2010, 11:57 AM

I noticed my coolant level getting towards the low line. I took a close look at the water pump and noticed the pink crystals at the bottom, indicating a leak. You could also see where the leak would hit the serpentine belt and the belt would throw it up on the hood liner. Replaced under warranty (I had about 25k miles on it, under 3 years old at the time). 2007 CE 5M.