Coolant question - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Nuke209 · 12-19-2005, 07:21 PM

been filling up my coolant every 2-3 weeks [the reservoir]

is that normal or do i have a leak

cam gen 4.5

95WhiteCamry · 12-19-2005, 07:28 PM

sounds like a leak to me

***zoni*** · 12-19-2005, 08:43 PM

do you see a puddle under your car?? coolant in your oil when you change it?? if no to both, then no leak.

the reserve take is only for when the fluid expands and contracts due to pressure and temp, its OK if it is a little low... the real problem will be when your temp gauge goes up higher than normal.

skewe · 12-19-2005, 09:49 PM

if you fill it up every 2 weeks, then there is a leak.
it might not be a bad leak but as zoni said, check and see if there is a puddle.
or just run the car for 15 min and leave it on for 5min on the parking lot. if you see a puddle or some drips, then you might want to look into it.

my friend's solara leaked but as the water dripped, the engine's heat vaporized everything

Gary_602Z · 12-19-2005, 10:02 PM

All leaks do not have to leave a puddle!

If you are only going through that much it could be just a seep some place that is running onto something warm and evaporating. Look everything over with a fine tooth comb and pay real close attention to any damp spots under hoses or fittings.

Gary

***zoni*** · 12-19-2005, 10:23 PM

ok fine, all leaks done have a puddle, but you will see something... and with coolant you will SMELL something.

Dave's · 12-20-2005, 01:19 AM

Unless it's going out your exhaust and you're looking at the engine.

Hajoca · 12-20-2005, 01:03 PM

Rinse down the engine bay with water (if it is warm out)

open the hood after a drive that takes the cooling system up to pressure ( hot engine) and lean in and sniff for coolant.

Don't open the rad cap yet.

***zoni*** · 12-21-2005, 04:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave's

Unless it's going out your exhaust and you're looking at the engine.

and what would cause that???

Dave's · 12-21-2005, 04:15 AM

^ Head gasket leak between water jacket and cylinder. May see white smoke from exhaust. But that depends somewhat on the amount leaking. And not all white smoke is a bad head gasket. (It's typical to see some as the engine is warming up, etc.)

Hajoca · 12-21-2005, 07:36 AM

Head Gasket leaks... look at your spark plugs, and see if any are cleaner than the others.

Also... how does the oil look?

***zoni*** · 12-21-2005, 10:31 AM

true, but in the case of a HG leak, its normally not just that. possible, but not likely. especially on such a new car, in stock condition.