ICE Cooling Fluid Level

[RickyC]

Yesterday evening I've made a check on fluid levels and I was unable to see pink fluid on the ICE cooling fluid reservoir.

Due to the way the reservoir is made is possible to see only the top level sign but not the lower one.

When I've asked to service how to check the level they told me to open the high pressure cap ( the metal one with the HOT warning label ) and look inside with a light to see is fluid is present.  I tried to open the cap but it turns half a turn and doesn't move further. I've not forced it.  How to open it ?

The car is 3.5 Year old ( February '21 ) LHD Yaris HB with about 13.700 km ( about 8500 miles ).  I've never added fluid.

 

[dash]

Do you need to push down while turning?

[TonyHSD]

Turn half way and pull out, this is for radiator cap. 
 

[RickyC]

I'll retry pulling it stronger.

Anyway looking better I've seen a bit of pink fluid in the reservoir.  It has just reduced a little since last check.  Do you think is it normal or I've to worry that there's a leak somewhere ?

In Italy the EGR cooler issue seems still open. 

Moreover I've read of two cases where a connecting rod broke after on two years ild cars and Toyota refused warranty replacement saying it was caused by polluted gasoline.  Really strange.

[MikeSh]

1 hour ago, RickyC said:

Anyway looking better I've seen a bit of pink fluid in the reservoir.

I find some reservoirs hard to see on most cars, especially washer fluid. I put a small inspection light (Battery LED type) down beside it and then rock the car a little with my other hand so the liquid moves. That usually makes the level obvious.

[TonyHSD]

These cars with radiator caps the reservoir is actually an expansion tank and fluid will be sucked or returned there only when system get heated up post 95C° and second loop opens , and eventually if overheating happens and coolant expansion. Open radiator cap with slightly twisted movement and half way turned and it will loosen up, but do only on cold engine. Top up full with oem pink ready kid coolant only. Don’t worry about egr or other issues. You can always use the torch to look around hoses , water pump, thermostat when running a reservoir checks. Keep levels at max. 👌

[RickyC]

On 9/14/2024 at 9:55 PM, TonyHSD said:

These cars with radiator caps the reservoir is actually an expansion tank and fluid will be sucked or returned there only when system get heated up post 95C° and second loop opens , and eventually if overheating happens and coolant expansion. Open radiator cap with slightly twisted movement and half way turned and it will loosen up, but do only on cold engine. Top up full with oem pink ready kid coolant only. Don’t worry about egr or other issues. You can always use the torch to look around hoses , water pump, thermostat when running a reservoir checks. Keep levels at max. 👌

I turned a bit more and the cap went off.  I see that fluid is present. I don't see any leak on hoses and cooling circuit components ( at least what I can see putting my head under the hood ). 

Anyway I'll check again in the next days.

For coolant do you think I must use original Toyota one only or can I use a third party one I can find on shop ?

[TonyHSD]

2 hours ago, RickyC said:

I turned a bit more and the cap went off.  I see that fluid is present. I don't see any leak on hoses and cooling circuit components ( at least what I can see putting my head under the hood ). 

Anyway I'll check again in the next days.

For coolant do you think I must use original Toyota one only or can I use a third party one I can find on shop ?

Highly recommended to use only Toyota original pink ready mixed coolant. 
You can buy online if not available locally, it might be slightly more expensive but it does it’s job well. 
Do not  mix with any other brands or types and if in an emergency just add water to top up and if you need to add more than a litre then replace the whole coolant with new ready mixed from Toyota soon after. 
Apply same thinking about your screen wash. Use one brand that covers summer and winter use just mix with water accordingly. This is best practice for your car. 👌