coolant level in overflow resevoir

Hello forum

Getting some miles on my 09 that I just bought a couple weeks ago. Poking around under the hood, I noticed that the coolant level in the overflow resevoir is only just showing up in the bottom on the tank.
This is when the vehicle is cold. Do I have to add some coolant????? There is a low and high level indicator on the tank. Im not even close to the low side(once again, when the engine is cold).

Any heads up on the proper levels of this that I should be seeing would be awesome!!!!!

be good, and plumbing is not a hobby.

09 base model, 4cyl, manual, 38,000 miles.

 

Should be at the upper level when cold

 

X2

 

THANKS!!!! so it should be o.k. to add coolant to the overflow to the high side(when the engine is cold of course)??????

be good, and plumbing is not a hobbie

 

Yes, add coolant to resi. Make sure its the same coolant and mixture as what's already in the truck.

Continue to monitor the level... Sounds like you've got a leak somewhere. Check all hoses and ground for any leaks.

 

It should NOT be on the high side with the engine cool. It should be anywhere between low and full. Coolant levels rise as it gets hotter, give that shit a place to go and don't fill all the way to the full line.
Read your owners manual.

 

I agree therealscuba....

Not thinkin' that I have a leak.... but I would like to get the level to where it belongs just to make sure. no owners manu. with the truck. I plan to stop by the local dealer to get a gallon and fill the resevoir to the low side when cold.

thanks for the heads up!!!!!

be good, and plumbing is not hobby

 

Coolant can evaporate. I wouldn't worry about it.

 

Is there white-ish residue around your radiator cap?

My resevoir was very low and I found my radiator cap was leaking. In fact...I'm on my 3rd cap in 5 years.

The first 2 Toyota (factory replacements) leaked. I'm currently running an aftermarket cap.

 

My 2006 TRD Sport was kinda like that too. It was just under the low line when cold, I just added some more coolant until it was in between high and low and its been fine ever since and I think that was like 3 or 4 years ago.

 

This ^

temperature goes up, pressure goes up.

 

Thanks for all the replies.... I did add some to the overflow..... we will see what happens. The fella at the dealer did inform me of alot of the toyota vehicles will "burp" some air out of the system over time right outta the factory. So I guess its not to unusual to have to add a little to the system.

No white residue around the cap.... but thanks for that heads up!!!!

be good, and plumbing is not a hobby

 

My '06 (4 cyl) was on the bottom line too when I bought it at 18,000 miles. After pulling the skid plate off and checking under the water pump I found a thin white crusty line leading from the weep hole to the bottom of the engine block. Turned out to be a very slow leak caused by bad seals, and the water pump was replaced under warranty.

The dealership technician said that coolant leaks have become more common recently and that he thinks is because the seals are poorly made.

Also, it wasn't fast enough to cause any dripping. I couldn't see any signs of it until I pulled the skid plate and looked under the water pump with a very bright flashlight.

 

Hi all.

The coolant level in the overflow tank can be up to the full line when cold. The tank has room above the full line for fluid expansion when the engine gets up to operating temp.

Cheers

 

On many Toyota truck and SUV additives in coolant will react with oxalic acid formed form glycol oxidation to prevent aluminum/metal corrosion what produces small amount of precipitates.

Temporary small Leaks near weep hole around water pump is normal

If debris becomes trapped between the mating ring and seal ring a small gap is formed. This allows coolant to bypass the mechanical seal, flow into the fluid catch pocket, and drain out of the weep hole. This condition is temporary and will no longer be present once the debris is crushed or works its way out of the seal. Water pump replacement is not necessary.

NOTE

The seal and mating rings are lubricated by the surrounding coolant; a small amount of coolant leakage is normal.

Here is a link to Toyota technical bulletin, including photos

http://www.rav4world.com/tsb/2011/T-SB-0117-11.pdf