1999 1.3 Corolla low coolant level

[Corolla1.3]

Just bought a 1999 Corolla 1.3 Automatic  -71,000 miles two owners -with the last owner for over 6 years  ... value - less than £1,000. 

It has a stamped up service history  ( the last 3 stamps / services by a local  Kwik Fit garage in North London -show it as serviced at 51,000 miles in Nov 2013, then  57.000 miles Nov 2014,  & 62,000 miles in  Nov 2015  ) ...the stamps say sevicd according to Kwik Fits Service Schedule - so I'd be surprised if this included a cambelt change... and  there are no invoices or receipts of any work done ...so when (& if) it's had a cambelt or water pump  changed is unknown...

So now in October 2017 - it's not been serviced for the last 9,000 miles, and not  for the last almost 2 years ...  the  temperature gauge works, and is indicating  it is where it should be ( it does not go above the midway  position between cold and hot when driving for half hour)   ...but the coolant level is low -how low I can't tell ... as you can't see any coolant if you open the metal  radiator cap and look down inside. 

Anyone know what coolants work well in a Corolla 1.3 ? ...

I would like to use something that will keep the water pump  lasting for as long as possible ...

I think I may have 5 litres  of Prestone antifreeze/ coolant somewhere   ... would that be as good as any to top up with?

Is there something much better? I don't know what coolant Kwik Fit will have been topping it  up with. 

Because  the water  level is low - I can't see what colour the coolant in the radiator  is at the moment ...and there is no coolant in the white plastic top up bottle that feeds the radiator.

... and ...if there is a leak responsible for the low water level in the radiator...

...is there  good reasons not to use Holts radseal? ...or is there something better? ...and to then top up with Prestone antifreeze coolant? ...or would someone  know what would work better for topping up an unknown coolant, that is highly unlikely to be Toyota's recommended one ... as was probably used by Kwik Fit in their  three services services from  November 2013 to November 2015.

Many thanks  

[FROSTYBALLS]

Hello - welcome to Toyota Owners Club.

Post moved to the Corolla club.

[oldcodger]

Hi,

For now I would not bother with antifreeze, just top it up to the full mark with de-ionised water ( £1 for 2.5ltrs in supermarkets, car section) and run it for a few weeks and see how fast its going down.

Mine used to drop slowly, eventually found the source when I changed the thermostat, which is totally hidden from normal view; the seal was worn.

From what others have posted, seems on your model its not uncommon for the thermostat housing to crack.

The other place it often leaks is from the water pump bearing /drain hole, if you look in that area you might see wet or dry residue where it has leaked.

Then you have the same for the radiator, rad cap and hoses, finally the dreaded cylinder head gasket.

If  you can find and correct the fault then ( or before the really cold weather arrives)  is the time to do a total change and flush of the antifreeze; mixing different types together not advisable; if using concentrate, use de-ionised water to dilute.

A garage can do a cooling system pressure test etc for you, might be a  more cost effective way of identifying the cause.

Not familiar with Prestone antifreeze but if you look at the main suppliers sites like Castrol or Comma etc they list all the right grades of fluids for your car.

Using leak sealers etc, nah,  only a short term fix.

Sounds like you need to do a very full service on the rest of the car, but think you need to pay special attention the to auto gearbox as its a critical part.

 

 

[mickburkesnr]

On 27/10/2017 at 9:37 PM, oldcodger said:

From what others have posted, seems on your model its not uncommon for the thermostat housing to crack.

Don’t I know it! Still annoys me that mine broke.

As for the type of coolant, you need the red stuff as that’s what Toyota recommend for our cars/engine. I’ve just done a coolant change on my 1.3 and my local motor factors gave me the red stuff when they put my reg in to the computer. It’s important you use the correct anti freeze as the internal components may suffer if you use something different to the manufacturer specifications.

I would check the condition of your drive belts, as these power the water pump on the side of the engine. If they’re cracking they should be changed. If they’re perfect then it might very well be that the water pump was changed as it’s a fairly simple (but awkward) job to replace. A new pump costs about £25-35.

Other place I would check is the bottom hose of the radiator. The rubber on mine was OK but I could see the clip was heavily corroded. But as always look for leaks around the thermostat housing (follow the top pipe coming from the radiator back towards the engine for that), water pump on the left hand side of the engine under the alternator and the bottom of the radiator.