Low Coolant Reservoir

Hello, noticed my coolant reservoir is a bit low. No leaks anywhere and no cooling/overheating issues. Wondering if this is somewhat of a common thing and should just top it off or if I should be concerned/paying more attention. Any input or previous experience would be greatly appreciated.

 

That's not bit low, that looks like very low to me. What was last time your truck was serviced?

 

Have you checked around the coolant crossover pipe for pink residue? Could be leaking but not pooling up on the ground.

 

6 months ago, fluids were topped off

 

I checked, a few drops around the top reservoir cap but nothing major from what I saw

 

You did it? or shop? They either didn't top it off, its leaking or you drove whole 6 months in real hot weather.

Also leak doesn't have to be major, it might be leaking way more during driving. If there is a leak, over 6 months its possible that's what happened.

 

I did. I'm in Phoenix so we did have a record breaking summer this year, over a month with temps over 110 in average lol. I'll keep looking to see if I spot a leak somewhere

 

The plastic coolant crossover pipe is on the back of the engine. Sometimes you can crawl under the passenger side and see pink residue without using a scope. See post #155 below for pictures of what to look for.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/check-your-3-5l-coolant-pipe.531758/page-8

 

I'd just top it off and check for leaks. Look for drops under where you park.

 

“Topping off fluids” is an often pencil-whipped customer feel good thing,,, notice I didn’t call it actual “service”.
If you went to the dealer for this, there’s a good chance some low paid under or uneducated “luber” was given the service ticket/your truck.
IF it was properly topped off, I’d be moderately concerned about that amount of use or leakage in 6 months. Of course mileage (unlisted in that timeframe) various greatly too.

 

Yea just fill it and check weekly or every 2-3 days.


Dont fill it up all the way, it only fills halfway. Rest is for when engine runs it expands.

 

@Azza2
Read a thread on this issue in one of the Tacoma forums that a very small leak can occur where the o'ver flow hose connects to the top of o'flow tank ( small flex line in your pic ). Solution was installation of small screw clamp over hose. Be careful not to over tighten clamp and crush plastic connector. Apparently leak is very small, like drops when engine was operated in high temp environment. That is a tell tale trail of pink discoloration from neck of connector straight down... Yes ?

 

Just a thought, my dealership said they topped off my fluids but in fact they never did, I would end up doing it myself, so if that's your case also could be just normal evaporation over the years, again just a thought.

 

That’s a lot of coolant. How low was it when you topped it off last? The bypass coolant pipe on my 22’ was cracked from factory and drained the coolant reservoir every 4500 miles or 4 months roughly. I documented it with pics each time and took it in to the dealer after the second time. They fixed it under warranty after doing multiple coolant system pressure tests. It looks like a giant pink fungus growing where it leaks if it’s small because the coolant solidifies quickly enough when evaporating in a hot spot of the engine. Makes it hard to find it like a mouse nest. It’s easier to see under the drivers side front cross member.

 

Looked there, looks clean without any residue

 

Looking at the reservoir itself, I noticed some solidified coolant on the cap. Thinking this is where is going, evaporation I guess?

 

No residue and no leaks is great news. I would just top the reservoir off and watch it.

 

but driving to the dealership also tends to heat up fluids. and then they check the level, it's good.

now he's checking when the motor is entirely cold, at the coldest time of the year.


it's low. refill it, keep an eye on it.

antifreeze is a combination of water and glycol products. water evaporates. water evaporating means there's less in there... not a problem until it exists outside of the things it should be inside.