Every single possibilities of coolant drop/ leak
Discussion
I have had a 2001 1.3 yaris for three months and the day after buying it the engine temperature light came on. Upon opening the coolant compartment showed that it was empty. I still dont know to this day how this occurred. Anyways I topped it with some anti freeze and have been monitoring the level every month ever since.
I have driven over 1100 miles since topping it up and today upon checking i can see it has dropped a little like may be an inch (see the pic) keep in mind the car was not used today and was completely cold
I have looked for any leaks and none whatsoever. I bet even if it was a tiny hole should have flushed out all the fluid within a month or so? such a small hole cant leak for three months continuously only for the coolant compartment to still have 80--85% still left?
I have also checked oil cap for any gooey milky stuff and nothing.
I also checked the exhaust for water or white smoke and nothing either.
So this has got me thinking ARE THERE ANY OTHER SCENARIOS for coolant drop? because no coolant loss is normal is what i have heard
Could it be because the radiator cap or something is faulty?
Can someone explain to me or point me at an explanation for the kind of cooling system that is designed to lose water?
For example, my online research shows “closed” system cars lose no coolant however “open” system cars to lose some to evaporation.
I dont know if my yaris has an open or closed system
i must admit when i had to top up three months ago, i didnt do the full drain procedure. i just added some anti freeze. could the addition of antifreeze to the mixture have any impact?
I just dont know how to figure this out.. I need all the help i can get. i am worried if it will drop flat suddenly during a long trip
I have driven over 1100 miles since topping it up and today upon checking i can see it has dropped a little like may be an inch (see the pic) keep in mind the car was not used today and was completely cold
I have looked for any leaks and none whatsoever. I bet even if it was a tiny hole should have flushed out all the fluid within a month or so? such a small hole cant leak for three months continuously only for the coolant compartment to still have 80--85% still left?
I have also checked oil cap for any gooey milky stuff and nothing.
I also checked the exhaust for water or white smoke and nothing either.
So this has got me thinking ARE THERE ANY OTHER SCENARIOS for coolant drop? because no coolant loss is normal is what i have heard
Could it be because the radiator cap or something is faulty?
Can someone explain to me or point me at an explanation for the kind of cooling system that is designed to lose water?
For example, my online research shows “closed” system cars lose no coolant however “open” system cars to lose some to evaporation.
I dont know if my yaris has an open or closed system
i must admit when i had to top up three months ago, i didnt do the full drain procedure. i just added some anti freeze. could the addition of antifreeze to the mixture have any impact?
I just dont know how to figure this out.. I need all the help i can get. i am worried if it will drop flat suddenly during a long trip
Edited by jerrin91 on Wednesday 12th September 01:00
Same as above really, were is the min marker?
1000 miles dropped by an inch = keep an eye on it.
If you want to go hunting then look for white dry residue on the coolant pipe joints, check how much the water expands when the car is hot etc it might just not be as pressure tight as new and under extreme conditions leaks/ bleeds a bit off.
1000 miles dropped by an inch = keep an eye on it.
If you want to go hunting then look for white dry residue on the coolant pipe joints, check how much the water expands when the car is hot etc it might just not be as pressure tight as new and under extreme conditions leaks/ bleeds a bit off.
Do you idle it regularly? I remember my last car would lose a lot of coolant while idling and while I never investigated it was a definite issue, requiring a minor top up of water & anti freeze every month. Could be the throttle body, idle air control valve, any bit of the pipework etc.
but also it's a banger and there's much more important things to worry about so just keep a bottle in the boot and keep an eye on it.
but also it's a banger and there's much more important things to worry about so just keep a bottle in the boot and keep an eye on it.
codenamecueball said:
Do you idle it regularly? I remember my last car would lose a lot of coolant while idling and while I never investigated it was a definite issue, requiring a minor top up of water & anti freeze every month. Could be the throttle body, idle air control valve, any bit of the pipework etc.
but also it's a banger and there's much more important things to worry about so just keep a bottle in the boot and keep an eye on it.
it's an automatic which means I leave the car on D when stopped at traffic lights and stuff. as I explained I haven't lost a lot of coolant like it happened to you nor has the light has come on.. its a slight drop but no drop is good. I was looking at pressure test kits but they are bloody expensivebut also it's a banger and there's much more important things to worry about so just keep a bottle in the boot and keep an eye on it.
Radiator is probably weeping along the bottom edge
If you can get underneath, look for white residue between the fins
Also, Any water marks on the underside of the bonnet? The tell tale hole on the water pump when the seals are failing sprays coolant onto the drivebelt and it sprays on the bonnet
If you can get underneath, look for white residue between the fins
Also, Any water marks on the underside of the bonnet? The tell tale hole on the water pump when the seals are failing sprays coolant onto the drivebelt and it sprays on the bonnet
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