If the liquid is clear it is probably just water. The preferred coolant is Toyota Super Long Life pink. However if you are cash strapped there are some Asian pink coolants that are supposed to be equivalent you can use. My two recommendations if you go that way:
1). Completely flush out what you have in the car. When doing the final fill use distilled water if the coolant is not premixed.
2). Change the coolant about every 30 months or 30,000 miles.
The criteria for full coolant:
1). make sure the radiator is full to the neck when cold. NEVER open a hot radiator.
2). And the coolant in the overflow tank should be between the full lines when cold.
Ifyou do a drain and fill there will probably be air pockets. After you think it is full, let it warm up, cool down, and then check the radiator level and reservoir level again. Repeat until the the radiator level remains full. And top-up the overflow tank as needed.
HOWEVER, unfortunately using water as coolant is a bad sign. These engines are known for pulling out head bolts. Do a combustion gas check or a radiator bubble check for a head gasket leak before you put more money into it. You should be able to find instructions on YouTube
Just put hose clamps on the overflow tube unless it is cracked. If cracked, any auto parts store has replacement hose. On these cars it is not a pressure hose. No need to have a mechanic do it. Any handy person should be able.
A very hot left fender behind the headlight seems to be normal. My theory is that they designed the underhood airflow to direct hot air from the radiator flow towards the engine charge air intake to help ensure better fuel vaporization and economy.
1). Completely flush out what you have in the car. When doing the final fill use distilled water if the coolant is not premixed.
2). Change the coolant about every 30 months or 30,000 miles.
The criteria for full coolant:
1). make sure the radiator is full to the neck when cold. NEVER open a hot radiator.
2). And the coolant in the overflow tank should be between the full lines when cold.
Ifyou do a drain and fill there will probably be air pockets. After you think it is full, let it warm up, cool down, and then check the radiator level and reservoir level again. Repeat until the the radiator level remains full. And top-up the overflow tank as needed.
HOWEVER, unfortunately using water as coolant is a bad sign. These engines are known for pulling out head bolts. Do a combustion gas check or a radiator bubble check for a head gasket leak before you put more money into it. You should be able to find instructions on YouTube
Just put hose clamps on the overflow tube unless it is cracked. If cracked, any auto parts store has replacement hose. On these cars it is not a pressure hose. No need to have a mechanic do it. Any handy person should be able.
A very hot left fender behind the headlight seems to be normal. My theory is that they designed the underhood airflow to direct hot air from the radiator flow towards the engine charge air intake to help ensure better fuel vaporization and economy.
