should there b any coolant in the dump or is it reservor(sp?)

[alex86]

ive looked at the little tank in front of the batter that holds coolant which im guessin is the dump or the reservoir(sp?) for the radiator. but it looks to me doesnt have any coolant in it. would that b a bad thing and i would need to get coolant in it or is it not important. dont want my car to just die all of a sudden cause of it.

[MR2Jedi]

no, there doesn't need to be anything in there. it's just for overflow...does you car run hot?

[500KCamry]

You need to add coolant to it because the cooling system transfers fluid to/from it. Fill it halfway between the low/high marks, don't overfill it.

[Pineapple]

If its empty, you're losing coolant. The rad will have air in it. Open the rad cap, fill rad up and put coolant in overflow to "cold" line. You'll need to check it for a few days and fill it up if it run low.

[Toysrme]

^ what they said. Open then radiator cap and add, open the engine side cap and add (if you have one)

Then add to the over-flow tank, and check it after the next time you drive the car around. It will probably suck some of the water out, still trying to purge air out of the system (from being low).


Once it purges the air out, if it is still draining the tank, you most definately have a leak.

[500KCamry]

"Once it purges the air out, if it is still draining the tank, you most definately have a leak."

That's right.

Also on the 92-96 Camry, the reservoir tank has a weak spot on the u-clamp by the body fender. It can crack there, if you've been driving a lot on rough roads. If the tank is cracked you'll see coolant under it by the power steering resevoir or the ABS actuator.

[alex86]

well i had the radiator replaced not too long ago about a couple months ago so it couldnt b leaking or anythin but if i poor in some radiator fluid into the radiator how much should i put in?

[500KCamry]

Top 'er off.

[Toysrme]

Just make sure you're using a 50-50 mix of antifreeze to water. Always err to more water than antifreeze.


And don't mix Toyota red antifreeze with anything else, but Toyota red antifreeze.

[amerikim]

I am referring to a 50% distilled water and 50% coolant/antifreeze mix as coolant.
As a coolant in the cooling system heats up, it expands. Too much pressure in the system would cause ruptures, So it vents this excess fluid to the overflow tank. As the engine cools down, low pressure in the system will let coolant in the overflow tank to be pulled back into the system to fill the void. Of course there is extra coolant in the tank to compensate for bouncing around or temperature cooler then when first filled. Its important to have coolant in the overflow tank at the proper levels or you will have air in the system which causes more problems.

[alex86]

so wait i add 50% coolant and 50% of water and antifreeze. or is it a good amount of coolant then 50% of water and 50% of anitfreeze. this would all go in the overflow tank or the radiator?

[amerikim]

Alex86,

It depends on what brand you are using, some are premixed some arent. Directions on the back of the bottle will say. Typically it would be mix with 50% distilled water.
With car cool;
Top off the radiator first, then add to overflow bottle no higher than the high mark. Start car and wait about 10 minutes and add to overflow bottle if it drops. Never let it go below low or fill above high. You never top off from radiator, infact don't touch it all as it will draw more fluid from the tank if it needs it.