Coolant leak issue

I'm starting to think I'm cursed when buying trucks. I just got my 2023 TRD Sport back from the dealer after they fixed an oil leak at ~600 miles. They replaced the oil cooler assembly (didn't know I had one of those). I crawled under it yesterday when I got it back, and yeah, it looked dry, so oil leak fixed. Case closed, or so I thought.

Today I open the hood to look around. I see a number of concerning issues. First, the coolant overflow tank is completely empty (and the hose out the bottom goes nowhere and is plugged, is that normal??) Second, there is evidence of coolant being sprayed around everywhere in the engine bay. Third, I see a bunch of coolant puddling up on top of the skid plate, so that tells me there's likely a leak somewhere?

I realize they had to disconnect some coolant hoses to change out the oil cooler, but it feels like there is something else going on. I'll take it back to the dealer eventually, don't have time at the moment with everything else going on - dealing with my local dealer is turning out to be a giant hassle as far as time in the shop, getting a loaner, etc. I ran it for a few minutes and didn't see any obvious leaks. Waiting for it to cool to check the level in radiator.

Thoughts? Is the hose going nowhere on the bottom of the coolant overflow normal?

 

Yikes, time to document everything.If life gives you lemons make ..

 

That is the recovery tank drain- check to be sure it’s plugged correctly as that could be the source of your leak. From there you will have to check the other lines but you need a pressure test to be sure. Also, be sure to check your fluid level in the radiator when it’s cold, and refill your reservoir bottle up to the hot line on it when the engine is hot.

Hopefully your service people remembered to refill the coolant else that’s why it was low…

- Don’t open the radiator when the engine is hot!

 

The radiator overflow hose should attach to the bottom of the coolant overflow tank so it constantly ''burps'' any air out of the system as the system heats up and the coolant expands and only draw back in liquid coolant from the overflow as the engine/radiator cools back down.

Someone fooked up, I'd look to see where the radiator/cooling system overflow hose goes and if it was reattached and assembled correctly.

PS, It can go into the top but must have a line/hose that goes to the bottom of the tank under the ''full'' line. It shouldn't be exposed to air or the system won't draw back in coolant to the radiator.

 

^the overflow pipe is a good culprit ^

The overflow pipe (small one) should attach to the radiator just under the radiator cap.

 

Just poor workmanship. Take it back and make them fix it properly.

 

The radiator overflow hose connects to the top of the overflow reservoir, and the bottom is plugged. Is that correct?

 

It’s a 2023 and I was told by corporate that Toyota work is covered for year.
But yea call dealer tell them to pick it up and drop off the loaner!
Did it get hot?
But yea start that paper trail on this.

 

the bottom of the tank?
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/coolant-expansion-tank-reservoir-plug.739981/

 

Yes, plug on bottom of reservoir is normal. it is my understanding that a radiator hose needs to be removed to access the cooler. They prob just shitty mechanics that did not care enough to clean up after their work and properly refill and burp your cooling system. Take it back to the stealership.

 

They probably pull hoses without draining the coolant and sprayed it onto the skid.
The empty tank could be cause by incorrect bleeding.
Stop by autostore and buy pink one -Zerex.
Fill it up and run engine until hot - 190°-205° and set air to max heat in the cabin.
Once gets to hot, squeeze radiator hoses a few times

 

I'm fairly certain that the coolant puddled on the skid plate would not have been residue from the oil leak work. It couldn't have stayed there on the hilly drive home yesterday. That and when I pulled out of the driveway this morning, I left a trail of coolant on the street so that was new since the dealership.

I have an appt to take it in tomorrow. Thanks for the feedback everyone.

 

UPDATE: dealer says bad radiator cap. Seems suspicious that a radiator cap goes bad at 800 miles at exactly the same time they are replacing the oil cooler. Looks dry for now after the drive home.

Not a great start with this truck - 3 trips to the service dept in the first 1.5 months, 800 miles. Hopefully it's smooth sailing from here.

 

Yes, luck of the draw. Hopefully nothing else for you.

 

think you nailed it! when i got mine back from getting the coolant pipe behind the engine replaced i noticed pink stains all over on the side where the fill cap is. i realized it was spillage when they filled the radiator. wiped everything up and no further sign of pink. they did burp it but after a couple of days i did add a slight amount of coolant to get it up to the line.