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Correct level of engine coolant?

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by bigmichaelkim, Oct 25, 2016.

  1. bigmichaelkim

    bigmichaelkim Member

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    first time car owner with a rather stupid question.

    I posted a picture of my prius 2016 engine coolant level.

    This was BTW a picture taken from a car that hadn't been driven for at least 2 hours.

    But I was just a little confused by the coolant level? To me it seems dangerously low to the minimum top off level but am I just being paranoid? 1477445054896.jpg

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  2. bigmichaelkim

    bigmichaelkim Member

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    Sorry for the left side up picture but as you can see on the right side the coolant seems totally fine but on the left it is near the min level not near the max that is the central issue I am trying to find out. BTW the car hasn't given me any issues at 825 odometer as we speak.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  3. bigmichaelkim

    bigmichaelkim Member

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  4. bigmichaelkim

    bigmichaelkim Member

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    Sorry for the repost but I just really wanted to know if my coolant level was too low. This picture was taken about 15 mins after shutting off the engine. On the right side of the reservoir the level looks fine but on the left it is only a hair above the minimum level. Please let me know if I need to stop by the dealership to pick up some Toyota coolant tomorrow

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  5. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    There's confusing pink tint up the wall on right side, maybe due to the return hose? I think the true level's near the top mark, looking near the middle. I would wait till it's at the lower line before doing a top up. The min you can buy is a gallon, the stuff specd in Owners Manual.

    I took the liberty, rotated the pic:

    IMG_5773.JPG
     
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  6. bigmichaelkim

    bigmichaelkim Member

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    ^thank you for the response and rotation of the picture! I guess I will wait for a top off as you said but its so confusing with that pink wall near the return hose. I wonder if anyone else had this issue and what causes it.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
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  7. Coast Cruiser

    Coast Cruiser Senior Member

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    image.jpg

    I rotated it, too.:LOL: My coolant level doesn't look like that. Very strange. The fluid in mine is straight across, regardless of how long the engine has been on, or off.
     
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  8. Coast Cruiser

    Coast Cruiser Senior Member

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    Forgot to add, even after driving awhile the fluid always seems to be nearer to the "minimum line."
     
  9. Coast Cruiser

    Coast Cruiser Senior Member

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    image.jpg


    That is sure odd. Were you parked on a hill or something??? :confused: Or is the top plastic part just stained?
     
  10. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Maybe there's an internal baffle on the tank where that hose enters, to prevent splashing, and it stains there?
     
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  11. Coast Cruiser

    Coast Cruiser Senior Member

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    I don't know, Mendel. I defer to your mechanical expertise. I will keep an eye on mine and see if it ever does that. (Sorry I posted the same pic as you. Yours hadn't appeared when I posted. PC glitch I guess. Thanks for straightening it out.)
     
  12. bigmichaelkim

    bigmichaelkim Member

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    Lol not parked on a hill! OK I am glad I am not going crazy and kind of sucks this is happening I guess I gotta go talk to the dealership at my 5000 mile check in. At around 1000 miles right now so hopefully this isn't an issue I need to address for the next 4000 miles and my baby will be fine

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
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  13. Coast Cruiser

    Coast Cruiser Senior Member

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    Now you got me curious. I'll take a look under the hood once a week, or every time I get gas. See what it's doing. (I need to check the oil anyway.)

    Have you noticed the water accumulating in your headlights yet??? Some guys even put Goldfish in there! :D












    (Kidding. :ROFLMAO:)
     
  14. bigmichaelkim

    bigmichaelkim Member

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    ^lol I honestly would have believed you! Can't make a new owner too paranoid. But yeah I'll see what the dealers say too and update everyone.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
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  15. Rebound

    Rebound Senior Member

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    It doesn't look like a problem to worry about. The hose in the photo is the overflow hose; the coolant doesn't need to be that high. The reservoir is designed to hold both cold and hot (expanded) fluid. It looks fine, but show the dealer when you next bring it in.
     
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  16. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    There's a hose at the bottom of the reservoir the fluid is drawn out through, and when there's excess in the radiator (hot and high pressure) it comes back through that top hose. I'm guessing the dye in the coolant is staining the wall where it comes back.
     
  17. bigmichaelkim

    bigmichaelkim Member

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    Does this possibly mean my radiator cap is bad? I showed this to my dealer at my 5000 mile service and they said it was fine and did nothing. Typical stealership, service manager was probably too lazy to do anything about it or even give me an explanation. I am just worried. Why is my reservoir the only one with a stained side wall! And how can I fix it? I want to be 100% sure the engine has the correct amount of coolant. Sorry for the paranoia.


    iPhone ?
     
  18. Elektroingenieur

    Elektroingenieur Senior Member

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    I wouldn’t think so, unless there are coolant stains on the outside of the reserve tank (reservoir), other signs of leakage near the cap, a coolant level far lower than seen in your pictures, or steam rising from under the hood.
    The operating conditions experienced by your Prius—factors such as outside temperatures, engine temperatures, trip lengths, engine speeds, and vehicle speeds—determine the volume of coolant returned to the reserve tank during the normal operation of the cooling system.
    Unless the coolant level drops below the “LOW” line, or some other malfunction occurs, there may be nothing to fix. I’d suggest leaving well enough alone, since even careful servicing carries some risk of causing other trouble, or worse yet, personal injury.

    That said, Toyota’s Repair Manual (available by subscription to techinfo.toyota.com) does explain how to check the valve opening pressure of the reserve tank cap (see 2ZR-FXE Cooling: Radiator: On-Vehicle Inspection) and how to check for coolant leaks (see 2ZR-FXE Cooling: Cooling System: On-Vehicle Inspection). Both procedures require a radiator cap tester and suitable adapters.
    If the coolant level is between the “FULL” and “LOW” lines on the reserve tank, with the engine cold and the car parked on level ground, then the amount is correct. I’m not aware of any other measurement procedure.

    If you’re still concerned, I’d suggest buying a gallon of Genuine Toyota Super Long Life Coolant (00272-SLLC2) and a funnel, just to keep on the shelf in case you need them, and checking the engine and inverter coolant levels every few weeks, at least until it’s clear there is no serious adverse trend.
     
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  19. bigmichaelkim

    bigmichaelkim Member

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    I see. Thank you for the tips. It's just my first car so I am just paranoid.


    iPhone ?
     
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  20. ETP

    ETP 2021 Prime(Limit),Highlander HYB Plat,B52-D,G,F,H

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    4 Honda hybrids and 5 Prius and I have never needed to add coolant. Think the dealer does that at your earl change.
     
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