99 toyota corolla - stuck in snow - coolant issue?

Hi,

I have a 99 toyota corolla and I got it stuck in snow this afternoon.
I was clearing snow away from near the tires to try and get out, and
noticed that I had some flourescent yellow/green liquid (coolant) on
the snow underneath the car. There didn't seem to be a lot. I did
have my defroster and heater on, so I"m not sure if this would cause
it, but I'm concerned.

I since have it parked in my garage and will check on it, but is this
normal at all? I"m concerned.

Thanks so much.

Sam

"toyota owner" <mindfulsilence@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1140129499.146680.221280@g44g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...[color=blue]
> Hi,
>
> I have a 99 toyota corolla and I got it stuck in snow this afternoon.
> I was clearing snow away from near the tires to try and get out, and
> noticed that I had some flourescent yellow/green liquid (coolant) on
> the snow underneath the car. There didn't seem to be a lot. I did
> have my defroster and heater on, so I"m not sure if this would cause
> it, but I'm concerned.
>
> I since have it parked in my garage and will check on it, but is this
> normal at all? I"m concerned.
>
> Thanks so much.
>
> Sam
>[/color]

Coolant under the car is indicative of a problem.

First of all, Toyota's the factory coolant fill is red so unless you have
had the coolant changed at someplace other than a Toyota dealer, the color
should be red. If someone other than a Toyota dealer has changed the
coolant, then it would be green.

The most likely cause for seeing coolant under the car is a leak. The other
possibility is a bad radiator cap or overheating although these are
generally accompanied by high temps shown on the temperature gauge and steam
from under the hood.

Using the heater and defroster will not cause a leak unless the leak is in
the heater core or hoses leading to and from the heater core.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

Thanks, Ray!

I bought the car back in December from a used car place, that also is a
Toyota Dealership, although the car isn't Toyota Certified. I'm not
sure what other fluid might be that color. If there is a leak, will it
show up under my car in the garage, or will it only leak when it's
running (ie, if it's a hose)

What would something like a hose generally cost, or is it too vague of
a problem to deal with? We're in a near blizzard here and I can't get
it anywhere until Monday, at the soonest. If there is a leak, would it
be safe to drive it to the dealership then? (which is about 15 miles
away).

Thanks again,

Samantha

"toyota owner" <mindfulsilence@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1140130647.069462.298000@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...[color=blue]
> Thanks, Ray!
>
> I bought the car back in December from a used car place, that also is a
> Toyota Dealership, although the car isn't Toyota Certified. I'm not
> sure what other fluid might be that color. If there is a leak, will it
> show up under my car in the garage, or will it only leak when it's
> running (ie, if it's a hose)[/color]

No other fluid used in a car is yellow/green like coolant.

Depending on the size of the leak, some hoses will leak without the engine
running although having the engine running generally accelerates the leak.

Possible places to leak in order of likelihood and approximate costs

Lower radiator hose, upper radiator hose, heater inlet hose, heater outlet
hose, - each DIY <$40.
Water pump - DIY <$200, professional replacement approx. $400
Coolant overflow bottle - DIY < $50.
Hose leading to coolant overflow bottle - DIY for <$8
Radiator cap - DIY for <$20
Thermostat housing gasket - DIY for <$12
Radiator - DIY for <$250, professionally approx. $400
Heater core - DIY for <$200, professionally approx. $500.
Freeze plug - DIY <$20, professionally approx. $150
Head Gasket - DIY for <$250, professionally approx. $1,000
Cracked block - professionally approx. $5,000
Cracked head - professionally approx. $2,000

If there is a leak, it should show up in your garage. Note the location of
the stain and look above it to identify possible sources.

--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

As noted, probably coolant.

Odds are it will be no problem to drive until you can get it checked
out. Do you have one of those clear "bottles" under the hood that hold
the coolant, or is it strictly "in the radiator."

Check the level and see how far down it is...this website should help

[url]http://autorepair.about.com/library/glossary/bldef-089a.htm[/url]

Thanks again, Ray.

That was an awesome breakdown. I will check to see if there is
anything under the car tomorrow morning. Hopefully it's just a hose.
I was turning into my driveway and was trying to go fast. I know I
didn't hit anything hard, just got stuck in a buncha snow. The only
possibility was that I coulda hit something with the shovel trying to
dig myself out. Sometimes I just loathe having a female brain - guys
don't tend to dig under the car with a shovel. :)

Thanks, again.

Samatha



Ray O wrote:[color=blue]
> "toyota owner" <mindfulsilence@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1140130647.069462.298000@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...[color=green]
> > Thanks, Ray!
> >
> > I bought the car back in December from a used car place, that also is a
> > Toyota Dealership, although the car isn't Toyota Certified. I'm not
> > sure what other fluid might be that color. If there is a leak, will it
> > show up under my car in the garage, or will it only leak when it's
> > running (ie, if it's a hose)[/color]
>
> No other fluid used in a car is yellow/green like coolant.
>
> Depending on the size of the leak, some hoses will leak without the engine
> running although having the engine running generally accelerates the leak.
>
> Possible places to leak in order of likelihood and approximate costs
>
> Lower radiator hose, upper radiator hose, heater inlet hose, heater outlet
> hose, - each DIY <$40.
> Water pump - DIY <$200, professional replacement approx. $400
> Coolant overflow bottle - DIY < $50.
> Hose leading to coolant overflow bottle - DIY for <$8
> Radiator cap - DIY for <$20
> Thermostat housing gasket - DIY for <$12
> Radiator - DIY for <$250, professionally approx. $400
> Heater core - DIY for <$200, professionally approx. $500.
> Freeze plug - DIY <$20, professionally approx. $150
> Head Gasket - DIY for <$250, professionally approx. $1,000
> Cracked block - professionally approx. $5,000
> Cracked head - professionally approx. $2,000
>
> If there is a leak, it should show up in your garage. Note the location of
> the stain and look above it to identify possible sources.
>
> --
>
> Ray O
> (correct punctuation to reply)[/color]

Actually, when I have put wiper fluid in, I've looked to see if there
was a coolant resevoir, but haven't ever seen one. I looked again
today when I put wiper fluid in and noticed that I didn't see one.

So, I'm assuming it's only in the radiator. Which seems odd to me.
How do you know when to put more in and how the heck do ya do it?

Thanks for the response. It is greatly appreciated.

-Samantha

There should be a rubber tube near the radiator cap and if you trace
that it should end at the resevoir.

The best way to find a leak is while the engine is cool, use a radiator
pressure pump device which puts about 20 pounds of pressure in the
radiator. This will swell the hoses up and pinpoint hard to find leaks.

Don't have this device ? Something else I tried if you have an air tank
is to only put about 20 pounds of pressure in it and if it has a valve
to slowly leak air out attach it to the overflow hose at the resevoir
side. This will also show any leaks. Just be sure you don't go over 2o
PSI. Hope this helps.

J



toyota owner wrote:
[color=blue]
> Actually, when I have put wiper fluid in, I've looked to see if there
> was a coolant resevoir, but haven't ever seen one. I looked again
> today when I put wiper fluid in and noticed that I didn't see one.
>
> So, I'm assuming it's only in the radiator. Which seems odd to me.
> How do you know when to put more in and how the heck do ya do it?
>
> Thanks for the response. It is greatly appreciated.
>
> -Samantha
>[/color]

"Joey" <J_nospam_lancos@moultriega.net> wrote in message
news:11vabkb3b4jea95@corp.supernews.com...[color=blue]
> There should be a rubber tube near the radiator cap and if you trace that
> it should end at the resevoir.
>[/color]

Good advice!
[color=blue]
> The best way to find a leak is while the engine is cool, use a radiator
> pressure pump device which puts about 20 pounds of pressure in the
> radiator. This will swell the hoses up and pinpoint hard to find leaks.
>
> Don't have this device ? Something else I tried if you have an air tank
> is to only put about 20 pounds of pressure in it and if it has a valve to
> slowly leak air out attach it to the overflow hose at the resevoir side.
> This will also show any leaks. Just be sure you don't go over 2o PSI.
> Hope this helps.
>
> J
>[/color]

I am not a fan of pressure testing radiators because the pressure tester
itself can cause leaks. It is not so likely on a well-maintained cooling
system but I prefer to use my eyes, fingers, and nose. So far, that method
has worked 100% of the time for me, and I've looked at my fair share of
problem cars.


--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

"toyota owner" <mindfulsilence@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1140139407.717036.224670@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...[color=blue]
> Actually, when I have put wiper fluid in, I've looked to see if there
> was a coolant resevoir, but haven't ever seen one. I looked again
> today when I put wiper fluid in and noticed that I didn't see one.[/color]

As Joey mentioned, follow the small diameter rubber hose coming from the
radiator neck - it will lead to the coolant overflow reservoir, which has a
cap that looks almost like a radiator cap.
[color=blue]
>
> So, I'm assuming it's only in the radiator. Which seems odd to me.
> How do you know when to put more in and how the heck do ya do it?
>
> Thanks for the response. It is greatly appreciated.
>
> -Samantha
>[/color]
The overflow reservoir is translucent like the windshield washer reservoir
and has hot and cold marks on it. The coolant level should be somewhere
between the two marks.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

"toyota owner" <mindfulsilence@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1140139304.702060.128410@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...[color=blue]
> Thanks again, Ray.
>[/color]
You're welcome!
[color=blue]
> That was an awesome breakdown. I will check to see if there is
> anything under the car tomorrow morning. Hopefully it's just a hose.
> I was turning into my driveway and was trying to go fast. I know I
> didn't hit anything hard, just got stuck in a buncha snow. The only
> possibility was that I coulda hit something with the shovel trying to
> dig myself out. Sometimes I just loathe having a female brain - guys
> don't tend to dig under the car with a shovel. :)
>
> Thanks, again.
>
> Samatha
>[/color]

The trouble with looking for a coolant leak on the garage floor is that if
the car is dripping water from snow, it is difficult to find the source of
the leak. You should look when the car and garage floor are relatively dry,
or you can put cardboard or newspaper down.

By the way, depending on the severity of the leak, the engine can overheat
so watch your temperature gauge closely to avoid engine damage. Also, if
the leak is bad, your coolant level will be low so make sure you top with
the proper coolant mix.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

Sorry for the late reply. Things have been hectic. I haven't had it
checked yet, but my temperature guage looks good. I haven't seen
anything under the car in the garage.

I'm taking her in for an oil change next week to my dealership, so I'll
tell them about the situation and see if a hose was tweaked. Thanks so
much!

Samantha

Ray O wrote:[color=blue]
> "toyota owner" <mindfulsilence@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1140139304.702060.128410@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...[color=green]
> > Thanks again, Ray.
> >[/color]
> You're welcome!
>[color=green]
> > That was an awesome breakdown. I will check to see if there is
> > anything under the car tomorrow morning. Hopefully it's just a hose.
> > I was turning into my driveway and was trying to go fast. I know I
> > didn't hit anything hard, just got stuck in a buncha snow. The only
> > possibility was that I coulda hit something with the shovel trying to
> > dig myself out. Sometimes I just loathe having a female brain - guys
> > don't tend to dig under the car with a shovel. :)
> >
> > Thanks, again.
> >
> > Samatha
> >[/color]
>
> The trouble with looking for a coolant leak on the garage floor is that if
> the car is dripping water from snow, it is difficult to find the source of
> the leak. You should look when the car and garage floor are relatively dry,
> or you can put cardboard or newspaper down.
>
> By the way, depending on the severity of the leak, the engine can overheat
> so watch your temperature gauge closely to avoid engine damage. Also, if
> the leak is bad, your coolant level will be low so make sure you top with
> the proper coolant mix.
> --
>
> Ray O
> (correct punctuation to reply)[/color]

"toyota owner" <mindfulsilence@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1141245156.505918.176880@t39g2000cwt.googlegroups.com...[color=blue]
> Sorry for the late reply. Things have been hectic. I haven't had it
> checked yet, but my temperature guage looks good. I haven't seen
> anything under the car in the garage.
>
> I'm taking her in for an oil change next week to my dealership, so I'll
> tell them about the situation and see if a hose was tweaked. Thanks so
> much!
>
> Samantha
>[/color]

Good luck with whatever the problem is!

--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)
[color=blue]
> Ray O wrote:[color=green]
>> "toyota owner" <mindfulsilence@gmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:1140139304.702060.128410@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...[color=darkred]
>> > Thanks again, Ray.
>> >[/color]
>> You're welcome!
>>[color=darkred]
>> > That was an awesome breakdown. I will check to see if there is
>> > anything under the car tomorrow morning. Hopefully it's just a hose.
>> > I was turning into my driveway and was trying to go fast. I know I
>> > didn't hit anything hard, just got stuck in a buncha snow. The only
>> > possibility was that I coulda hit something with the shovel trying to
>> > dig myself out. Sometimes I just loathe having a female brain - guys
>> > don't tend to dig under the car with a shovel. :)
>> >
>> > Thanks, again.
>> >
>> > Samatha
>> >[/color]
>>
>> The trouble with looking for a coolant leak on the garage floor is that
>> if
>> the car is dripping water from snow, it is difficult to find the source
>> of
>> the leak. You should look when the car and garage floor are relatively
>> dry,
>> or you can put cardboard or newspaper down.
>>
>> By the way, depending on the severity of the leak, the engine can
>> overheat
>> so watch your temperature gauge closely to avoid engine damage. Also, if
>> the leak is bad, your coolant level will be low so make sure you top with
>> the proper coolant mix.
>> --
>>
>> Ray O
>> (correct punctuation to reply)[/color]
>[/color]