TheDeep

Hi Folks,
I have a '07 GX470, 115k miles. Recently got the timing belt and water pump changed at an independent shop. A few days after bringing the car home, I noticed that the coolant tank was almost empty. I figured they forgot to refill it and filled it up. Then again a few weeks later, I found the coolant tank empty again. I have owned this car since new and I've never had the coolant disappear like this. Secondly, the car has started throwing error codes (never had any error codes before): 0P0420, 0C1201, 0C1223, 0C1241.

Wondering if the shop left some gasket loose? Any help in how to approach trying to solve this issue?

TIA

chiph9

About half of those can be related to low battery voltage. Look for a loose ground strap, or it's possible it's time for a new battery (i.e. coincidence)

For your missing coolant, one of the things typically changed during a timing belt changed is the water pump. Its possible that there's a bad seal. Take it back and ask them to take a look.

Chip H.

OG Dada

iTrader: (10)

You can also check your radiator coolant plug. Mine started a slow drip ever since timing belt change when I also changed the plug.

MrJason

If the shop didn’t properly “burp” the cooling system... you could have had some trapped air working it’s way out.

Park over some clean clean concrete or slide some cardboard under your vehicle while it runs for about a half hour. If you don’t see any drips... it’s just trapped air working it’s way out.

IanB2

This is my thoughts as well, keep topping it up and keep track of how much/how often, it should stop drawing down the overflow bottle once the air has worked it's way out.

TheDeep

Thanks. The battery is new, reads 12.75 volts. I checked the terminal/ground connections, all are good.

TheDeep

Thanks, there are absolutely no leaks that I can see. No drips on the garage floor. The coolant disappears slowly. I have found the expansion tank empty thrice since the timing belt / water pump job was done.

I stand corrected @ "recently". The job was done in October 2018. My wife drives this car; lost track of when it was done.

TheDeep

Thanks, I hope you are right I don't see any drips on my garage floor...

ALAN553

could be evaporating on the hot engine if it’s a slow leak

IanB2

I've found using the block heater overnight every night will evaporate some of the coolant from the system over time...I can't explain how it escapes the closed system, but this has been my experience on several vehicles. I see you're in NJ so that's another thing to consider.

ALAN553

the average low temp this winter in NJ was 28°...i don’t know anyone that needs or uses engine block heaters here other than commercial diesels....maybe, it’s either a leak or air

Phallian

If they replaced the thermostat or removed the pipe enclosing it and it wasnt seated and sealed when replaced the coolant leaks onto the belt and gets splattered inside the engine compartment so doesn't leak out the bottom.

You can see a more or less straight splatter line on the hood lining if it's happened.