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

rainman · 01-13-2005, 01:59 PM

Noticed today that the coolant level in my 95 I4, is just below the "low" indicator. My questions are

Can I drive for a few more days before adding the coolant, as I have to go for the regular service in a couple of days anyway?

If dangerous to drive, whats the coolant make and type that I should buy and add.

Should I remove the existing coolant before adding the new one, or just pour it on top of the existing one in the coolant container?

Appreciate any inputs and help....Thanks

bowlofturtle · 01-13-2005, 02:05 PM

um.. that bottle of coolant is actually extra. kinda like a dump off valve. you can drive it with no problems. hell most ppl i know with camry's drive with that tank bone dry with no issues. If it worries you a lot just add water to the tank untill its at max. No biggie. Coolant in your system is a blend of 50% coolant and 50% water anyways. So adding a little more water wont really hurt.

Coolant wise is really all pending the person kinda like oil. The main thing is if you have the toyota red stuff. then you need to get the red stuff. If its green stuff, i'l pretty sure you can just top it off with any coolant at the store.

rainman · 01-13-2005, 02:10 PM

Thanks!! for the info. I get the car serviced at the Toyota dealer so its always the Red stuff.

anuthaCamry · 01-13-2005, 02:47 PM

if it's has TOO much water the green stuff will magically turn red

500KCamry · 01-13-2005, 03:09 PM

The tank needs to be kept between the cold/warm levels, because coolant gets added to it and removed from it while you drive. If it was filled before and it is dry now, you've got a coolant loss somewhere in your cooling system. It could be a very small leak, that takes days or weeks to remove the fluid from the resevoir.

***Eye8Pussies*** · 01-13-2005, 03:14 PM

its better to add water than to let it go dry, but depending where you live, if the temperature gets too cold, and you have too much water in ratio to coolant it may freeze over night

CraigW · 01-13-2005, 06:15 PM

I always check mine when hot, I took a Sharpie and highlighted the Full mark and it makes it easy to check and top off if needed. The level will vary some between winter and summer. As long as there is SOME in the bottle you are o.k.

ArmyofOne · 01-13-2005, 06:18 PM

i drove mine through a few 100 degree days with ZERO cooolant in the tank and half a radiator full. the temp needle never went over half.

500KCamry · 01-13-2005, 06:28 PM

Also, and I'm kind of guessing here, but if your collant resevoir is empty and the coolant in your cooling system is low, filling the reservoir likely won't get coolant into the system. You'd have to take off the rad cap when its cold, and fill the system first.

I think it kind of works like a siphon, if the line between the rad cap and the resevoir is air locked, and enough fluid cannot be moved from the cooling system to the resevoir during the engine warm up, the air lock will not be broken, and no coolant transfer will take place.

Maybe someone else knows more about this.

ArmyofOne · 01-13-2005, 06:54 PM

get toysrme in here, he can tell you. i couldnt get my car to overheat if i tried.

coolant systems are pressurized. if there is an airlock, it usually doesnt affect transfer of fliud all that much unless there is a BIG one (over 1PSI of air would do it). there is a hole in the cap on your resivoir for a reason, to vent excess pressure and coolant.

BullMarket · 01-13-2005, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 500KCamry

Also, and I'm kind of guessing here, but if your collant resevoir is empty and the coolant in your cooling system is low, filling the reservoir likely won't get coolant into the system. You'd have to take off the rad cap when its cold, and fill the system first.

I think it kind of works like a siphon, if the line between the rad cap and the resevoir is air locked, and enough fluid cannot be moved from the cooling system to the resevoir during the engine warm up, the air lock will not be broken, and no coolant transfer will take place.

Maybe someone else knows more about this.

There should be a 50/50 mix in the resevoir tank. The level should be between the min/max lines. To ensure the rad is filled up start a cold car take the cap off and add 50/50 mix until full. Turn car off...let cool...take ra cap off again and top off with 50/50 mix. You are now full. The resevior tank can be an "early" warning to a coolant leak. I wash my car weekly and check all fluids. You will notice if it has dipped below the low line on the resevior that you have a leak somewhere and should address the issue. COOLANT is VERY IMPORTANT...DO NOT NEGLECT THIS!

BULLMKT

rainman · 02-02-2005, 07:46 PM

Guys, Thanks!! for all the info.. I had the car serviced at the dealer and topped of the coolant reservoir to FULL. Now 2 weeks later, the reservoir is below the low level - noticed it yesterday. As I get it serviced it at the dealer, the coolant is always the RED stuff, but my questions are -

Should I buy the full RED stuff or the 50/50 Pink fluid (with pre-mixed water)?
If the RED stuff, should I mix water or not, if Yes how much water?
Should I be adding the stuff to my reservoir or the rad cap?

Also, after topping it this time, I' would be looking out for any leaks... How much coolant does get used in 2 weeks time..?

Toysrme · 02-02-2005, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Also, after topping it this time, I' would be looking out for any leaks... How much coolant does get used in 2 weeks time..?

0 should be used... With the car cold, take the cap off the block, radiator and coolant reserve. Fill the block and radiator to the brim, fill the reservoir to the full-cold mark.

Quote:

Should I buy the full RED stuff or the 50/50 Pink fluid (with pre-mixed water)?

Whatever is in it, keep using that. DO NOT swap between Toyota red, and any silicate formula like found in good 'ole generic green. Not only will it produce an enzyme that will eat ferrous (iron containing) metals, it will turn into a very hard gel, clogging everything. (hard gel... As in hammer and chisel, not flush it out with cleaners)

If it were warmer weather, there would be no consequence to adding water only to the over-fill tank. However... It's cold enough in Alabama (as of late) to freeze water. That means it's defiantly freezing everywhere else. Water expands as it freezes, and many a cooling hose, and reservoir tank have burst as water freezes. The absolute bare ass minimum should be a 33% ratio of A/F to water.
Ratio of A/F to water _ Freezing temperature _ Boiling temperature
20% _ 16F _ 253F
33% _ 0F _ 256F
50% _ -34F _ 265F

rainman · 02-02-2005, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Fill the block

I know whats rad cap and coolant reserver, but which one is the block

Quote:

Whatever is in it, keep using that. DO NOT swap between Toyota red

I would have to fill the empty space with the new coolant, coz I dont have a clue of how much is left. Also, I shall only use Toyota OEM coolant, both the 50/50 Pink fluid & RED stuff are from Toyota, but confused which one to add. Should the RED stuff be diluted with water, or can it be added as is into the rad cap?

Quote:

If it were warmer weather

Its definelty freezing out here in the North East.

I'm a 1st time DIY, so any additional details would be of great help..

Thanks...

anuthaCamry · 02-02-2005, 09:11 PM

whatever you do don't mix the different brands,

BUY A COOLANT CONCENTRATION GUAGE, and learn to use it. You MUST maintain a %% between 51% and 70% if you live out in snow country.