Austin Area TW Chapter (all gens welcome, even T4Rs; heck, just make it a Toyota and we're good)

Hey yall, popped the hood yesterday for a little look around.

My coolant level is about an inch over the 'low' line and the reservoir looks pretty low...

Do I need to do the full job or can I just add some??

Thanks everybody

 

Add and keep track of it. If you keep slowly losing coolant you need to get your system checked.

 

Just add a bit should be fine. Check on it in a bit to be sure

 

Ok, will do. It's never leaked a drop of any fluid in its life...wondering why it would be doing this.

Sounds good, where do I get the toyota pink stuff? Also, what would cause it to be low?

 

Heat and an imperfect cap seal are usually the reason for coolant loss in vehicles around here. It you're concerned, put something under your engine when you're parked and check it for drop spots. If you're not dripping, check to see how well your coolant cap seals at the neck.

 

Yep this

 

You normally get excess exhaust smoke when that happens RIGHT BEFORE the head gasket says adios muchacho.

Been there, done that.

 

No bueno

 

The water in the coolant does slowly evaporate and fluid level goes down over time. You can add distilled water to bring the level up, or use toyota pink which is 50/50. This is very normal. Best way to check condition of the coolant is to check the pH of it. Between 6.5 and 7.5 pH is safe, anywhere outside of that is time to service.

 

Thank you Chris, you're a rockstar. I would like a poster of you to hang on my wall if possible (not even kidding)

 

Doesn't that suck? When we moved here in '03, we looked out at Steiner and dodged the 620 bullet, only to be hit recently with the Parmer/Ronnie Reagan slug.

 

When is that?

 

Weekend of the 20th

 

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This. You also might be able to get a hand tester (at AutoZone) to check system pressure and the cap's pressure, but most likely it's just evaporating over time.

 

@T4Rgurl has the perfect pic