Very slow coolant leak that I am struggling to trace

[Volodymyr Boiarskov]

Hi, I am from Ukraine, living in Swadlincote & I have a little problem with the radiator & coolant on my Toyota Yaris 1.4 Diesel which I have recently purchased. When the car is parked there are no visible coolant leaks & the car drives well. When driving, I find that I need to add a small glass of coolant for every 30-40 miles driven. So, obviously there is a small coolant leak somewhere, but I am struggling to find it.

Are there any places in the cooolant system where the leak is likely to be found or can you provide any advice on how I can trace this cooolant leak. I've read lots of different things but am struggling to know how best to go about tracing this leak? I can purchase anything that is needed but need some direction.

Advice is needed to help me trace it?

Thanks in advance

Volodymyr

[jthspace]

As you can't see any obvious leak, a first point to check would be the oil filler cap; take it off and see if there is any thick "gunk" (mess, whiteish slime). It should be clear or just a light coating of oil. Also look at the colour of the oil on the dipstick. It should look like oil normally does.  If there is anything odd looking about the oil then a suspect head gasket letting coolent past a break and into the oil would be a contender. 

 

[TonyHSD]

Coolant loss when engine is running its typical for failed water pump. 
You find the pump and look carefully around and under the pump for any signs of leaks. , could be crusty pinky formation or liquid marks. You can try listening to the pump while engine is working too, just touch it with a long screw driver sharp end and place carefully your ear on the handle, any grinder noises and vibrations felt will confirm water pump failure. 
Check radiators bottom corners , houses etc., small leaks sometimes are difficult to trace but your one it’s not that small. Take some pictures of from the parts in question and share with us., more help can come in. 
Good luck 

[Volodymyr Boiarskov]

1 hour ago, jthspace said:

As you can't see any obvious leak, a first point to check would be the oil filler cap; take it off and see if there is any thick "gunk" (mess, whiteish slime). It should be clear or just a light coating of oil. Also look at the colour of the oil on the dipstick. It should look like oil normally does.  If there is anything odd looking about the oil then a suspect head gasket letting coolent past a break and into the oil would be a contender. 

 

Typed by an English friend who is showing me how to use this forum as my English is not good. I've checked the oil filler cap & it is perfectly normal, with no-gunk & I've also checked the dipstick & it looks like I would expect it to look. So this suggests that my head gasket is Ok which is good news. although I still don't know where it is leaking but I appreciate the suggestion 🙂

[Benzowner]

As well as already written, also check the water filler cap. The system is usually pressurised and the cap can sometimes fail or may not have been fitted tightly enough.

[flash22]

you will need to pressurise the system to around 15 psi that will show up any leaks, check the passenger footwell and make sure it's not wet  - if it only does it when the engine is up to temp/hot it may be an EGR cooler issue

Coolant pressure test kit

eg. https://www.amazon.co.uk/DHA-Universal-Radiator-Pressure-Detector/dp/B08NCWNBPB

[Volodymyr Boiarskov]

On 03.08.2024 at 12:45, TonyHSD said:

Втрата охолоджуючої рідини під час роботи двигуна характерна для несправного водяного насоса. 
Знайдіть насос і уважно подивіться навколо та під насосом на наявність ознак витоку. , це може бути хрустке мізинське утворення або рідкі сліди. Ви також можете спробувати послухати насос під час роботи двигуна, просто торкніться його довгим гострим кінцем викрутки та обережно притуліть вухо до ручки, будь-які шуми та вібрації шліфувальної машини підтвердять несправність водяного насоса. 
Перевірте нижні кути радіаторів, будинки тощо, невеликі витоки іноді важко відстежити, але у вас вони не такі вже й маленькі. Зробіть кілька фотографій відповідних частин і поділіться з нами, може прийти додаткова  допомога. 
Успіхів 

Thank you for your advice. I checked everything you advised and found droplets of water on inside the front bumper. There doesn't seem to be a leak somewhere. It's on the left side of the car.But there are still no visible leaks in the pipes. I'll check again after the ride.o must be done immediately before the water evaporates Sean thanks for the advice, at least I found the leak.I can't send the photo, I can't do it yet