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Coolent leaking but reservoirs are full

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by George Green, Dec 11, 2012.

  1. George Green

    George Green New Member

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    coolant leaking . Very clean red coolant appearing , a few drops at a time are appearing on the garage floor , but the level in both reservoirs is full. The engine reservoir looks a little too full. I have not added any myself but the dealer serviced it in June. The only thing I can think of , is that they filled it too full . Any ideas ?
     
    #1 George Green, Dec 11, 2012
  2. usnavystgc

    usnavystgc Die Hard DIYer and Ebike enthusiast.

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    Over time, the dye in the coolant will stain the reservoir(s) causing it to look like its always full. Make sure you take the caps off the reservoir(s) and check them. If they are still full, check the "coolant" to make sure its not a petroleum product (aka transaxle fluid). Otherwise it just may be leaking too slow to be noticed at the reservoir at this point.
     
    #2 usnavystgc, Dec 11, 2012
  3. George Green

    George Green New Member

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    Good idea I'll check with the lids off tomarrow. The transaxle fluid has been there for over 30000 miles and would be very black by now , I think . Thanks , GG
     
    #3 George Green, Dec 11, 2012
  4. usnavystgc

    usnavystgc Die Hard DIYer and Ebike enthusiast.

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    Well, red sounds like transaxle fluid but my idea of red may be diff than yours. The main thing is to make sure you're not leaking tranny fluid. If you really want to find the source of the leak, crawl under your car and look directly up from the puddle (follow the trail so to speak). You will likely see a drip forming from the source of the leak.
     
    #4 usnavystgc, Dec 12, 2012
  5. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

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    One of the first parts to begin a slow coolant leak is typically the ICE coolant pump. It will start weeping around the shaft seal. If you can shine a flashlight around the front of the engine toward the bottom you may be able to see a pink "crust" if it is the coolant pump.
     
    #5 jdcollins5, Dec 12, 2012
  6. George Green

    George Green New Member

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    Out my hands for now .Wife has it. GG
     
    #6 George Green, Dec 12, 2012
  7. George Green

    George Green New Member

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    Checked early this morning , completely cold. Engine coolant level is about .5 inch above the low line . Inverter coolant is about 3/16 inch below the line . GG
     
    #7 George Green, Dec 13, 2012
  8. George Green

    George Green New Member

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    I just now saw the low level arrow on the Inverter coolant reservoir. The coolant is still above that level.
    Are there any Toyota appr0ved coolants other the Toyota super long life coolant ? Thanks , GG
     
    #8 George Green, Dec 14, 2012
  9. Britprius

    Britprius Senior Member

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    Toyota SLLC is the only recommended coolant.
     
    #9 Britprius, Dec 14, 2012
  10. George Green

    George Green New Member

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    Any difference between red or pink Super Long Life Coolant ?
     
    #10 George Green, Dec 17, 2012
  11. Britprius

    Britprius Senior Member

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    I am not certain on this as I believe there was a version for the gen1 prius, but you can buy it in concentrated form or ready diluted. Someone else will no doubt come in on this.
     
    #11 Britprius, Dec 17, 2012
  12. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Toyota Long Life Coolant has the red color and is good for 30K mile service intervals. It has to be mixed with distilled water. This was factory-fill until around the 2002 model year.

    Toyota Super Long Life Coolant has the pink color, is factory-fill for newer model years, and is good for 50K mile service intervals (100K miles for the factory fill.) It is premixed with distilled water.
     
    #12 Patrick Wong, Dec 17, 2012
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