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pre-purchase inspection - low coolant?

Discussion in 'Newbie Forum' started by timinfl, Jul 2, 2013.

  1. timinfl

    timinfl New Member

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    So I had a 2006 with 86k mi inspected today as due diligence before potentially purchasing. Unfortunately, the mechanic was not a specialist, but I went with him because he was vouched for by my girlfriend's family and as a bonus he is located conveniently close to the dealer. Anyway, he said almost everything looks great, no issues driving, super clean, the previous owners were good about maintenance.

    However, he raised two issues:
    1. Standard concerns about the longevity of the battery. I've just read up on this here (again), and I'm more or less convinced it's a small risk that I'm willing to take, on par with the risk involved buying any used car.

    More importatntly...

    2. The coolant reservoir appeared to be empty, but there was no leak that he could find. Indeed, at the dealer's, I did not see evidence of a leak underneath the car. I'm puzzled about this one. Could this just be dealer negligence? Or a hidden leak somewhere? Both? If the coolant were low, shouldn't an alert have appeared?

    Any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated, thanks!
     
    #1 timinfl, Jul 2, 2013
  2. rdgrimes

    rdgrimes Senior Member

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    The service records should be available if it was seen at a dealer.
     
    #2 rdgrimes, Jul 2, 2013
  3. JMD

    JMD 2012 Prius 4 Solar Roof

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    #3 JMD, Jul 2, 2013
  4. timinfl

    timinfl New Member

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    It's an independent dealer. I have the carfax, and it's actually available by googling the VIN. Can't post links yet, but for those who are enterprising: JTDKB20U067538893. It's the fourth entry down. Unfortunately the maintenance details are a bit lacking.
     
    #4 timinfl, Jul 2, 2013
  5. timinfl

    timinfl New Member

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    Ah, thanks, will check this out.
     
    #5 timinfl, Jul 2, 2013
  6. timinfl

    timinfl New Member

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    Other Hybrid
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    Seems about a year/20,000 mi ago they replaced the following:

    HOSE, RADIATOR, N TO16571210801
    HOSE, RADIATOR, N TO16572210601
    HOSE CLAMP TO501064
    ANTIFREEZE GALLON TO002721LLAC011
    THERMOSTAT TO90916030931
    GASKET, WATER INL TO16325620101

    Also, about 3 years ago, the check engine light came on. Here's the description:

    CUSTOMER STATES CHECK ENGINE LIG HT ON WARNING LIGHT ~|~CODE P0A93 TSB ~|~R/R INVERTER WATER PUMP//CLEA R CODE

    And parts replaced:
    SUPER LONG LIFE C TO00272-SLLC2 1
    PUMP ASSY, WATER TOG9020-47031 1

    Apparently 'Super Long Life C' is Toyota's coolant. So looks like coolant issues have appeared previously. This is giving me serious pause...
     
    #6 timinfl, Jul 2, 2013
  7. SteveLee

    SteveLee Active Member

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    Was the low coolant engine coolant or inverter coolant? Any codes now? The inverter coolant pump having been replaced is a good thing, not unusual. Any chance of contacting the previous owner to ask about the low coolant and any issues they had with the car?
     
    #7 SteveLee, Jul 3, 2013
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