T-Sport possible coolant issue

[T-Sport Novice]

Afternoon guys and girls, 

I think I'm having a slight issue with my coolant and or expansion tank. Basically, I'm having to top up my expansion tank every two days or so, as my fan keeps coming on and as I'm aware, when it does it uses coolant from the expansion tank but why when my coolant in my radiator is full, does it seem to want to rely on the fan/expansion tank?

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated 

[T-Sport Novice]

I've checked the tubes coming from the radiator to the engine and back to the radiator, nothing seems a miss. Started the engine with the rad cap off, nothing seems out of the ordinary. Drove it round the block a couple times, temp gauge went past half way, nearly to the mark after half way. Then it dropped to half way and went back up again.

[SanaYusuf]

Any smoke from the exhaust? Either a leak somewhere or head gasket issues.

would suggest a compression test if no signs of a leak.

[oldcodger]

What about a faulty thermostat, temp sensor or blocked radiator ?

When the temp gauge is going near the hot, and the fans turns on, switch  the engine off and very carefully feel the main radiator  top and bottom hoses, is the bottom hose also quiet hot, ie water is flowing around ok.

Have you been doing anything to the cooling system recently ?

 

[T-Sport Novice]

4 hours ago, SanaYusuf said:

Any smoke from the exhaust? Either a leak somewhere or head gasket issues.

would suggest a compression test if no signs of a leak.

None when warm, little bit when warming up from cold. I wondered about the head gasket, I have a slight oil leak from the timing covers/rear of the engine according to Toyota at the service last Tuesday.

3 hours ago, oldcodger said:

What about a faulty thermostat, temp sensor or blocked radiator ?

When the temp gauge is going near the hot, and the fans turns on, switch  the engine off and very carefully feel the main radiator  top and bottom hoses, is the bottom hose also quiet hot, ie water is flowing around ok.

Have you been doing anything to the cooling system recently ?

 

I checked the pipes from the rad to engine and back again, although not when the fan is on, top one cool, bottom one warm so all seems okay there then. 

Nah nothing other than what I stated in the opening post mate. 

[SanaYusuf]

57 minutes ago, T-Sport Novice said:

None when warm, little bit when warming up from cold. I wondered about the head gasket, I have a slight oil leak from the timing covers/rear of the engine according to Toyota at the service last Tuesday.

I checked the pipes from the rad to engine and back again, although not when the fan is on, top one cool, bottom one warm so all seems okay there then. 

Nah nothing other than what I stated in the opening post mate. 

I have the same leak in the same place but doesn't affect the coolant.

Have a feel of each corner of the bottom of the radiator when cold as they are prone to leak coolant, mine also has a very minor leak/weep the passenger side/bottom bit of radiation and is only noticeable when cold.

[T-Sport Novice]

31 minutes ago, SanaYusuf said:

I have the same leak in the same place but doesn't affect the coolant.

Have a feel of each corner of the bottom of the radiator when cold as they are prone to leak coolant, mine also has a very minor leak/weep the passenger side/bottom bit of radiation and is only noticeable when cold.

I know it doesn't affect coolant but it's a gasket issue isn't it mate? 

Hopefully it isn't but if so, it'll need replacement eventually. I dinged the front right hand side a month or so ago and burst the screen wash bottle. Probably has something to do with that then, I thought I'd managed to avoid the radiator! I'll check tomorrow

[SanaYusuf]

27 minutes ago, T-Sport Novice said:

I know it doesn't affect coolant but it's a gasket issue isn't it mate? 

Hopefully it isn't but if so, it'll need replacement eventually. I dinged the front right hand side a month or so ago and burst the screen wash bottle. Probably has something to do with that then, I thought I'd managed to avoid the radiator! I'll check tomorrow

Oil leak wise the timing chain cover is sealed with liquid sealant and i have heard its a engine out (possibly) long job and tbh it'll cost more in labour than the car is worth in my case.

I only noticed the leak from the bottom corner after the car was sitting for a few days, could see a very small damp patch on the plastic below. When the car is warm the coolant evaporates quickly when there is a leak.

Yeah you possibly damaged the rad if you hit that corner hard enough to brake the screen washer bottle.Let us know what you find bud.

[oldcodger]

11 hours ago, T-Sport Novice said:

top one cool, bottom one warm so all seems okay there then. 

 

?   normally the hot water from the engine /thermostat goes into the radiator from the upper most 'top' hose and the cooled water exits from the lowest 'bottom' hose.

Not sure about the Tsport, but often the 'top ' hose is the one on offside off the radiator.

So what you say above sounds wrong.

When the engine has been run for 10 - 20 mins it should be up to normal temp ( or in your case higher) and the thermostat opened ( if working ok)  so the top hose should be hot and the bottom hose cooler.

[Mike169]

Hi, to test it for a head gasket take your car to a half decent garage, main dealer or Halfords and ask them to do a 'sniff' test on your expansion bottle to test for a head gasket failure, they will know what you mean and they may make a small charge to do this as it uses a special fluid that they have to buy. Take the car before you top up the header tank as they won't want the water level too high, it will save them taking some water out. This is an accurate test that takes about 30 minutes and they can tell you there and then if your head gasket has 'gone'. Mike.

[T-Sport Novice]

12 hours ago, SanaYusuf said:

Oil leak wise the timing chain cover is sealed with liquid sealant and i have heard its a engine out (possibly) long job and tbh it'll cost more in labour than the car is worth in my case.

I only noticed the leak from the bottom corner after the car was sitting for a few days, could see a very small damp patch on the plastic below. When the car is warm the coolant evaporates quickly when there is a leak.

Yeah you possibly damaged the rad if you hit that corner hard enough to brake the screen washer bottle.Let us know what you find bud.

Jesus! That'll cost a bit to get fixed then, I may have to bite the bullet in the near future as my car holds sentimental value more than anything else. 

Checked the radiator, nothing on the screen wash side, however on the nearside I appear to have a slight leak, few spot of coolant and ran my fingers across the bottom of the rad on the nearside confirmed there was liquid. So I'll need a new rad aswell no doubt! 

2 hours ago, oldcodger said:

?   normally the hot water from the engine /thermostat goes into the radiator from the upper most 'top' hose and the cooled water exits from the lowest 'bottom' hose.

Not sure about the Tsport, but often the 'top ' hose is the one on offside off the radiator.

So what you say above sounds wrong.

When the engine has been run for 10 - 20 mins it should be up to normal temp ( or in your case higher) and the thermostat opened ( if working ok)  so the top hose should be hot and the bottom hose cooler.

Sorry OC, I wrote it wrong when I posted, forgive me and my sleep deprived posts haha. Bottom is cool and top is hot so seems as if it's circulating okay. 

1 hour ago, Mike169 said:

Hi, to test it for a head gasket take your car to a half decent garage, main dealer or Halfords and ask them to do a 'sniff' test on your expansion bottle to test for a head gasket failure, they will know what you mean and they may make a small charge to do this as it uses a special fluid that they have to buy. Take the car before you top up the header tank as they won't want the water level too high, it will save them taking some water out. This is an accurate test that takes about 30 minutes and they can tell you there and then if your head gasket has 'gone'. Mike.

Thanks Mike, I'll go to the dealer as they serviced it a week ago n get them to check. 

Here is where my temp gauge sits after it's warmed up. I know there are lights on the dash, supposedly my exhaust as the cat and or back box is on it''s way out! 

[SanaYusuf]

59 minutes ago, T-Sport Novice said:

Jesus! That'll cost a bit to get fixed then, I may have to bite the bullet in the near future as my car holds sentimental value more than anything else. 

Checked the radiator, nothing on the screen wash side, however on the nearside I appear to have a slight leak, few spot of coolant and ran my fingers across the bottom of the rad on the nearside confirmed there was liquid. So I'll need a new rad aswell no doubt! 

Sorry OC, I wrote it wrong when I posted, forgive me and my sleep deprived posts haha. Bottom is cool and top is hot so seems as if it's circulating okay. 

Thanks Mike, I'll go to the dealer as they serviced it a week ago n get them to check. 

Here is where my temp gauge sits after it's warmed up. I know there are lights on the dash, supposedly my exhaust as the cat and or back box is on it''s way out! 

I have just lived with the oil leak for about 2 years, the leak seems minor, about 0.5l a year and hasn't got any worse. I would love to sort it though as it makes a bit of a mess of the back of the block and underneath the car.

Hopefully replacing the rad will sort your issue and you don't have head gasket leak/failure . Your coolant gauge looks abit low, I'm sure mine is dead centre when warm, will try to get a pic up later if I remember.

[Mike169]

Hi Thurston......how do I put this mate without you taking offence mate. By all means get the sniff test done, may cost you say £20, I worked/run garages for years but personally I think you may be over worrying.......some cars run a bit low on the coolant side, it just happens but by all means keep topping it up to the mark on the expansion tank when you want to but I do suggest you go back to the garage to get it checked out. I just don't want you to waste your money as you may well find it is exactly the same if you did have the head gasket changed, it will cost you over £100, closer to £300, i'd just carry spare water in the boot if I were you but do get it professionally checked out to put your mind at rest. The cooling fan is supposed to come on when it wants to, at least you know the temp. sensor and fan switch are working ok. Mike.

[T-Sport Novice]

33 minutes ago, SanaYusuf said:

I have just lived with the oil leak for about 2 years, the leak seems minor, about 0.5l a year and hasn't got any worse. I would love to sort it though as it makes a bit of a mess of the back of the block and underneath the car.

Hopefully replacing the rad will sort your issue and you don't have head gasket leak/failure . Your coolant gauge looks abit low, I'm sure mine is dead centre when warm, will try to get a pic up later if I remember.

If it's like yours, mine will be okay then for a while yet, thanks mate.

Yeah I hope so too, the gauge is a bit high, after I squeezed the pipes connected to the rad yesterday, it dropped back to half way for a minute and then returned to the position in the pic, would be good to see where your dial is on the gauge definitely mate.

6 minutes ago, Mike169 said:

Hi Thurston......how do I put this mate without you taking offence mate. By all means get the sniff test done, may cost you say £20, I worked/run garages for years but personally I think you may be over worrying.......some cars run a bit low on the coolant side, it just happens but by all means keep topping it up to the mark on the expansion tank when you want to but I do suggest you go back to the garage to get it checked out. I just don't want you to waste your money as you may well find it is exactly the same if you did have the head gasket changed, it will cost you over £100, closer to £300, i'd just carry spare water in the boot if I were you but do get it professionally checked out to put your mind at rest. The cooling fan is supposed to come on when it wants to, at least you know the temp. sensor and fan switch are working ok. Mike.

I am probably over worrying, it's just that the car was sold as near mint and so far it needs the brake lines, bit of the fuel pipe, a bind on the rear brake nearside, the exhaust which is setting off my EML,TRC n VSC and a shock absorber in the near future. Now a new radiator soon too due to new found leak today. I'll be taking it to Toyota again for the rad to be replaced and coolant flushed n re-filled. After I buy the rad that is, try and save a little money! Anyway thank you for your input Mike and yeah at least the fan etc does it's job. 

[oldcodger]

10 minutes ago, T-Sport Novice said:

it's just that the car was sold as near mint

After I buy the rad that is, try and save a little money!

How long have you had the car ?

What mileages are shown on the MOT certificate ?

Bought from a dealer or private seller ?  if a dealer then they should be correcting the faults, if a private seller, zero, unless you can prove they are acting as a dealer and regularly selling cars.

Any reason you are paying top dollar by using Toyota dealer for the repairs, nothing wrong with them, but the labour cost is high and the genuine Toyota parts equally high?

A good local garage should be a lot less using decent quality aftermarket parts; something like a radiator change is a very easy diy , if thats you kind of thing. ?

 

[T-Sport Novice]

5 minutes ago, oldcodger said:

How long have you had the car ?

What mileages are shown on the MOT certificate ?

Bought from a dealer or private seller ?  if a dealer then they should be correcting the faults, if a private seller, zero, unless you can prove they are acting as a dealer and regularly selling cars.

Any reason you are paying top dollar by using Toyota dealer for the repairs, nothing wrong with them, but the labour cost is high and the genuine Toyota parts equally high?

A good local garage should be a lot less using decent quality aftermarket parts; something like a radiator change is a very easy diy , if thats you kind of thing. ?

 

I've had it since the middle of May and yes it was a private sale from someone I know, the reason I know about most of the faults is they were advisory's at M.O.T 2 weeks after I bought the car. It was at 115000ish at M.O.T. It has a near perfect service history, missing one service at 50,000. With the last service done Tuesday last week at 117000.

I prefer to use Toyota for anything inside the engine bay as the next best garage near me charges the same per hour so might as well let the manufacturer do it and tbh I thought I'd have to take the bumper off etc to change the rad? 

[SanaYusuf]

Here's a pic of my temp guage after 20 mins driving, looks exactly like yours...

[T-Sport Novice]

2 hours ago, SanaYusuf said:

Here's a pic of my temp guage after 20 mins driving, looks exactly like yours...

I'd definitely say yours looks more in the centre than mine mate, mine sits where yours looks for a few seconds and then goes up another little nudge. It may be the angle. 

[SanaYusuf]

14 minutes ago, T-Sport Novice said:

I'd definitely say yours looks more in the centre than mine mate, mine sits where yours looks for a few seconds and then goes up another little nudge. It may be the angle. 

I think they look almost identical, think it's just the angle that the pics are taken.

On a side note dis connect the negative on the Battery for a few minutes, might get rid of those lights for a little while.

[T-Sport Novice]

1 hour ago, SanaYusuf said:

I think they look almost identical, think it's just the angle that the pics are taken.

On a side note dis connect the negative on the battery for a few minutes, might get rid of those lights for a little while.

Done it multiple times but thanks anyway mate. As long as I stay under 50mph and 3000rpm n under, after I do the terminal, the lights stay off but as soon as ya hit 60mph or above, the exhaust sets them off, the code says it's a co2 sensor or something, in the cat. PO420.

[SanaYusuf]

58 minutes ago, T-Sport Novice said:

Done it multiple times but thanks anyway mate. As long as I stay under 50mph and 3000rpm n under, after I do the terminal, the lights stay off but as soon as ya hit 60mph or above, the exhaust sets them off, the code says it's a co2 sensor or something, in the cat. PO420.

Ah ok. Our car's have two O2 sensors, one pre and one post cat.

Let us know how you get on with fixing the issues, would be interested to know how much Toyota charge for fixing them, the nearest stealers to me charge £123p/h😰.