Gen 7 Engine Coolant

[celica140sport]

hi i have the gen 7 140, recently ive topped my coolant up to the max mark twice and both time after i few days ive checked the level and there next to no collant left. i took the in pipe off and the coolant then refilled all the way to the top of the bottle. so i refitted the pipe and drained the bottle down to the requred level. so it looks like the coolant is in the engine and the car shows no signs off overheating. im wondering is it normal for there to be no coolant is the tank when engine is warm. or do i need a new water pump because it might not be circulating the coolant correctly?

[edwardio]

That doesn't sound quite right, as normally water should always be in the bottle. I guess it could be the water pump.

[celica140sport]

That doesn't sound quite right, as normally water should always be in the bottle. I guess it could be the water pump.

thats what i thought as when u pull the acclerator cable u cant see the coolant being pumped back into the container. are these pricey to get replaced?

[edwardio]

No idea. Though if you want to do it yourself I'd get a price quote from MR.T, then shop around. Maybe even try a breakers or something.

[celica140sport]

No idea. Though if you want to do it yourself I'd get a price quote from MR.T, then shop around. Maybe even try a breakers or something.

yea sounds a good idea, will they have a look at the car for free ?

[edwardio]

I doubt it, as nothing in this world is really free!

[T600]

Before you do anything, find out what the system should be doing.

The bottle that I think you're referring to is simply an expansion tank. The pump has nothing to do with putting fluid in or out of that tank; rather its level rises and falls as the fluid in the system expands and contracts (i.e. gets hot and then cold). The pump helps circulate the coolant around the main system, not the expansion tank.

If your expansion tank level is falling and you have to keep topping it up, then figure out why. It may be you had an airlock in the system and the fluid is filling the system as that clears. Or it may be that you're losing coolant. That could be due to a leak or possibly the engine is consuming it. Either are bad, but an external leak (i.e. fluid leaking out) is probably easier to resolve.

A common source of leaks is the fuel pump, and if that's occuring then maybe you do need a new fuel pump.

A common cause of the engine consuming water is a blown head gasket. Usually though there would be other symptoms of this.

[Scarlett Arrow]

That doesn't sound quite right, as normally water should always be in the bottle. I guess it could be the water pump.

I'm sure you meant Toyota Long Life Red, and not water :)

[edwardio]

Ok if you want to get techincal Scarlett! Long life red. (containing water!) lol

[Scarlett Arrow]

I believe that the Long Life is Oil based, not Water. Therefore adding Water to top up the Coolant may not be a good idea.

[edwardio]

Ok the long life or extended life coolant, is organic based. Therefore would contain water I'd say. It is no different to standard anti freeze, but lasts twice as long. The red colour is just a dye used by manufacturers, so you can purchase it from anywhere really as it's all the same.

Please read the link I found for more info.

http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns/Arc...ptember/04.html

[Scarlett Arrow]

OK, I've been researching this one and this is what I've found.

Standard Anti-freeze such as can be bought at Halfords contains Ethylene Glycol and lasts around two years before scale and sludge starts to form inside the Engine.

Toyota Long Life contains Propylene Glycol and has a much longer life span before needing replacement. The two are incompatible with each other as they contain different chemicals which will react with each other. I was incorrect in believing the Long Life is Oil based, I know I read this some years ago but this is apparently not the case. The Long Life comes pre diluted from Toyota with de-mineralised Water, so de-mineralised Water is acceptable to top-up if you have no Long Life to hand. You will of course be diluting the effectiveness of the Coolant.

HTH.

[edwardio]

You can buy coolant testers that indicate whether you have Ethylene Glycol or Propylene Glycol in your tank, as well as the level of protection you have. They also allow you to test whilst the coolant is cold or hot. I would recommend these to anyone.

[fazzer]

You can buy coolant testers that indicate whether you have Ethylene Glycol or Propylene Glycol in your tank, as well as the level of protection you have. They also allow you to test whilst the coolant is cold or hot. I would recommend these to anyone.

you should always have some llc in the expansion tank whether it is hot or cold.If your heater is blowing hot air then youve got no air locks.fill it to the max and run the car(good run)recheck and if the level has dropped you must be losing it somewhere,look for signs of leakage(radiator,all hoses etc)park on a dry piece of road and look for signs of leakage on the road.if showing no signs of leakage have a look at your oil cap,dipstick for any milky oil.hopefully its not the latter

good luck

[celica140sport]

i think its an air lock. how can i resolves this? ive tried running the engine for a few minutes with the cap of the bottle but still it goes down agen after i drive it

[fazzer]

i think its an air lock. how can i resolves this? ive tried running the engine for a few minutes with the cap of the bottle but still it goes down agen after i drive it

there is instructions on the underside or the bonnet,it involves removing the expansion tank and hanging it on the bonnet,its dead easy.