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Gen II Prius - Coolant - Does it Fluoresce?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by baumgrenze, Sep 28, 2017.

  1. baumgrenze

    baumgrenze Junior Member

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    There was a time when I would not have asked, I would have assumed that the antifreeze in my car contained fluorescent dye, probably fluorescein. I tried a search of the forum for "Prius + 2004 + coolant + fluoresc" and there were no hits. Therefore I'm asking this question.

    I had to replace the water pump on our 2004 Prius a year or two ago. My neighbor has been told that he has a coolant leak on his 2004 at his water pump shaft. I have a 'black light' flashlight. I checked my car and saw a few fluorescent traces but nothing powerfully conclusive.

    Does the pink coolant that Toyota used in the GenII Prius fluoresce under black light? If it does I will offer to check my neighbor's car to confirm the diagnosis.

    Thanks
    baumgrenze
     
  2. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    Not sure, but the usual leak sign is clumps of solid pink salts. I never replaced mine and the leak went away. Many, many Gen2 had this issue.
     
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  3. valde3

    valde3 Senior Member

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    I don’t know about the fluoresce. But like wjtracy say leak leaves pink crystals. If you just take a mirror and look under the water pump you can see the weep hole if pump is leaking it’s all cowered with pink.
     
  4. 05PreeUs

    05PreeUs Senior Member

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    No, but what a shop may have added over the vehicle's life may have a trace amount.

    Also, most dye is in the 400nm range, if the light is too far outside that, it will no produce an obvious result.
     
  5. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    There should be no trace at all really of the coolant in the belt area. I do not see one spot on my 10 year old car. If you see any flecks or spots its water pump time. Possible pump failure is not to be trifled with because the G2 has a problem with there design in that there is no temp gauge for engine coolant so if pump fails or it throws the pump belt you will never know till it throws a check engine light for overheat. That's usually way to late as the aluminum head will usually warp with severe overheat. Very poor design. So you have to be very proactive. If the belt is over 75,000 miles old replace it no matter what you think it looks like. No belt no water pump. Belts only like $15 and pretty easy to put on diy. Unless you have every big arms as space is limited.
     
  6. 05PreeUs

    05PreeUs Senior Member

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    Actually, the coolant temp light (thermometer looking icon) comes on with the exact same logic as with most other engines with what is termed "idiot lights", in plenty of time to avoid disaster, IF you pay attention to it and stop the engine.
     
  7. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    Who does that? Most posters here join the forum and post questions before they even open the hood.
     
  8. 05PreeUs

    05PreeUs Senior Member

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    The time to determine the strength of your barrel is BEFORE you ride it over the falls!
     
  9. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    Have no idea what that means but as far as overheating the car and being able to avoid damage after you see the overheat icon on the dash I have seen a lot of posters on this site in the last 11 years who incurred damage after turning the car off upon seeing that light. Doesn't take much to warp that little aluminum head.
    Some proactiveness on this issue could and will save your engine.
     
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