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Engine Coolant Very Low After EGR Cleaning, OK To Drive?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Technical Discussion' started by woody23, Jul 23, 2022.

  1. woody23

    woody23 Junior Member

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    I just took off and cleaned my EGR assembly and pipe. I knew I lost a little bit of coolant during the hose clamp procedure, but it skipped my mind to check the levels after I was finished. Why? Because i'm a noob and was in over my head and dealing with other issues like a lost bolt and engine check codes after I put everything back together.

    I just checked the coolant levels, after about 20 miles of driving, and the left one (engine) is significantly down.

    Am I ok driving this 10 miles to get some coolant and bring it back towards the full line or should I have a friend bring me some (Toyota) coolant?

    Pic attached. It's about 1 inch below the low line. (Taken after car sitting overnight.)
     

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    #1 woody23, Jul 23, 2022
    Last edited: Jul 23, 2022
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  2. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Probably. See first link in my signature, tips for avoiding any coolant loss. For next time.
     
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  3. woody23

    woody23 Junior Member

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    Thanks Mendel! Great to see that I don't have to take the hoses off when I clean the manifold next.
     
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  4. mikey_t

    mikey_t Active Member

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    Ten miles? I think you'd be OK, though I'd be careful not to push the engine too hard.
     
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  5. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    When it gets hot the jug may come up not all the way to the line but it's going to rise a bit That's not alarmingly low at all but I like to keep mine warm at temperature when it's possible to get it there to the line and if it starts vanishing from that without undoing anything and doing any cleaning or any maintenance then you want to start wondering and worrying be looking at the number two cylinder spark plug a lot
     
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  6. CR94

    CR94 Senior Member

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    It should be ok for that short distance, as long as the coolant level is remains visible in the reservoir. Not safe, if not.
     
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  7. woody23

    woody23 Junior Member

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    I'm confused. So should I not fill it all the way to the top when it's really hot outside?
     
  8. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    Start the car drive it around a bit see if the level in the jug rises it should that way you know things seem to be working now fill it up to the line drive a little bit go to the store get a drink whatever when you get home shut the car down on level ground and wait till in the morning when you come out before you kick the car over just lift the hood up and look at the jug it should be real close to being full if it's one or two widths of the line down no worries now just watch it all the time when you look to make sure it doesn't go down and stay down. That's a big problem when it goes down and doesn't come back up big problemo.
     
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  9. woody23

    woody23 Junior Member

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    Got it. Thanks a lot for the help.