1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Coolant resivor?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by tylerjames, Dec 27, 2015.

  1. tylerjames

    tylerjames Junior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 12, 2015
    26
    1
    0
    Location:
    north bay
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    hello, got my oil changed and was told my coolant resivor is cracked and leaking. I have been driving 4,000 miles since then and not known or noticed anything until informed today.

    Is this a high priority fix? I'm not sure exactly what it is but my car hasn't showed any signs of overheating.

    Also what is an estimate of price for parts and labor?
     
    #1 tylerjames, Dec 27, 2015
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    109,401
    49,735
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    is it engine coolant, or inverter? probably engine, because it's less critical.
     
    #2 bisco, Dec 27, 2015
  3. tylerjames

    tylerjames Junior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 12, 2015
    26
    1
    0
    Location:
    north bay
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Unfortunately they didn't specify.. I feel like something would of happend though by now
     
    #3 tylerjames, Dec 27, 2015
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    109,401
    49,735
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    the engine coolant doesn't get used that much. the inverter coolant reservoir is pretty small and more critical i think. fill the engine coolant overflow tank and see if anything is leaking out. if not, remove the excess, you don't want it mixing with the coolant. who is telling you this?
     
    #4 bisco, Dec 27, 2015
  5. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 30, 2009
    5,131
    1,338
    0
    Location:
    Wilmington, NC
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Have you seen any signs of coolant on the ground where you park the car? Have you had to add any coolant to either reservoir lately? Are your reservoir levels low?

    If no to all questions I would just keep an eye on the reservoir levels.
     
    #5 jdcollins5, Dec 28, 2015
  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    55,952
    38,898
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    The coolant reservoirs are easy to inspect, out in the open. Maybe ask them to show you where they're seeing cracks and leakage. It shouldn't be too expensive to replace.
     
    #6 Mendel Leisk, Dec 28, 2015
    Andyprius1 likes this.
  7. Andyprius1

    Andyprius1 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 4, 2013
    2,327
    859
    1
    Location:
    Cool CA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    You can mark both with a grease pencil and observe. Both reservoirs are important. The inverter reservoir is critical and should be kept full and cap on tight. Fortunately all Prii are very cool running machines especially the inverter portion. I would go back to Toyota and ask to be shown the crack. The engine or radiator reservoir is very important in the Summer when it's hot and automatically takes care of expanded coolant when hot and later returns to radiator again after cooling. If the inverter reservoir is replaced the air must be bled also, so let Toyota do that.
     
    #7 Andyprius1, Dec 28, 2015
  8. tylerjames

    tylerjames Junior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 12, 2015
    26
    1
    0
    Location:
    north bay
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Everyone, I have confirmed it is the engine radiator overflow tank that is cracked. I am trying to remove it for inspection, but cant seem to get it off. it is immediately behind the radiator and attached some how (other then the 2 hoses) any ideas?

    Thanks,
     
    #8 tylerjames, Dec 29, 2015
  9. Andyprius1

    Andyprius1 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 4, 2013
    2,327
    859
    1
    Location:
    Cool CA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    Don't have a 2007, but should be easy. Biggest problems are usually the hoses, a little lubricant helps, wipe off surplus later. It's 8 years old now so some parts are beginning to marry. It may be under Gen Maintain and Troubleshooting.
     
    #9 Andyprius1, Dec 29, 2015
  10. Andyprius1

    Andyprius1 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 4, 2013
    2,327
    859
    1
    Location:
    Cool CA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    Feel underneath for attachments.
     
    #10 Andyprius1, Dec 29, 2015
  11. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2008
    18,200
    6,479
    0
    Location:
    Green Valley, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I believe that the coolant overflow tank is an integral part of the radiator and is not intended to be separately replaced. You can get a new radiator for ~$194 plus shipping here:
    RADIATOR for 2004 Toyota Prius|16041-21281

    You ask whether this is a high-priority fix. The answer is yes, certainly this is required especially in summer weather.
     
    #11 Patrick Wong, Dec 29, 2015
    Andyprius1 likes this.
  12. Andyprius1

    Andyprius1 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 4, 2013
    2,327
    859
    1
    Location:
    Cool CA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    Thanks Pat, I wondered if was built in.
     
    #12 Andyprius1, Dec 29, 2015
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)