Yaris 1.3 Mk3 Coolant loss?

April 17, 2018

My wife has a late 2015 1.3l Yaris which we have owned from new. Last week she said it seemed to be making a funny noise. It seemed like it was coming from the drive belt; I gave the idler pulley bearings a little squirt with GT85; I couldn't hear any difference but she seems to think it was quieter the next day.

Anyway, while I had the bonnet up I checked the fluids. Her engine coolant looks low to me; it's about 1/4 - 1/3 above the min mark. The car was serviced at the end of September and they have ticked the box to say they refilled the coolant. My car doesn't loose coolant at all (nor have any previous cars I've owned) and the only reason I can see for the level dropping is a leak of some sort. I really don't think it's normal for the coolant level to drop more than half way between max-min in approx 6 months? My first thought is they probably didn't bother to top off the coolant during the last service, just ticked the box. Still I don't think it should be losing any coolant - it's not an old car. I suspect the water pump given the squeaking/clicking 'noise' my wife reported coming from the drive belt area. I told her to book it in for inspection under warranty.

She called the dealership today to book in for two new tyres and to have an inspection due to coolant loss. They told her 'that's normal' but they will 'take a look' while she waits and they replace her tyres. I suspect they won't bother doing anything other than a quick glance for obvious gushing leaks and topping the coolant off.

What are other peoples thoughts / experience with this? I'm not a Yaris expert but I would consider myself a very competent DIYer when it comes to cars and to me that rate of coolant loss could never be considered 'normal'. At that rate of loss over 6 months it wouldn't make it to the next service before it's empty.

Was tempted to immediately call them up and question them about it, but, thought I would check in here first to see what others think. Anyone with a similar vehicle see the same sort of coolant loss?

JF.