Coolant Leak? What is this tube?
03-16-13, 03:24 PM
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Coolant Leak? What is this tube?
I had my timing belt, water pump, etc. done on my 99 a few weeks ago. Today I noticed a wet spot near the inside of the front passenger's wheel. The car had been off overnight so I knew it wasn't condensation from the A/C system. I took off the front undercover (not sure if this the right term) to see what was going on.
The photos show what appears to be coolant that leaked. I asked for all OEM parts and fluids but it looks like a green colored coolant was used. There was coolant on the top of the cover and along some of the radiator lines. The slow drip leak (about every 15 seconds) is coming from the clear tube in the picture. Anyone know what that tube is or what it is connected too?
The pictures are of the plastic tube were it's leaking, the top part of the undercover, coolant tank (there is some greenish mixed in the red), potential leak source between the radiator and engine, and color of the dripping fluid.
I'm calling the mechanic first thing Monday morning and having them fix and clean this. I'm thinking they need to exchange all the fluid so nothing is mixed. What do you guys think?
The photos show what appears to be coolant that leaked. I asked for all OEM parts and fluids but it looks like a green colored coolant was used. There was coolant on the top of the cover and along some of the radiator lines. The slow drip leak (about every 15 seconds) is coming from the clear tube in the picture. Anyone know what that tube is or what it is connected too?
The pictures are of the plastic tube were it's leaking, the top part of the undercover, coolant tank (there is some greenish mixed in the red), potential leak source between the radiator and engine, and color of the dripping fluid.
I'm calling the mechanic first thing Monday morning and having them fix and clean this. I'm thinking they need to exchange all the fluid so nothing is mixed. What do you guys think?
03-16-13, 06:01 PM
#6
Lexus Champion
if the off-white colored twist drain valve located at the top of the tube is tight, then you need to go to any Toyota dealer and order its special o-ring p/n 96711-19007
although every Toyota & Lexus dealership should stock this super common o-ring, and replace it every time they change the coolant, sadly, they don't, so you typically have to order it and come back and get it in a couple of days.
do not use just any o-ring that fits, get the real one, only a couple of bucks!
and I agree with everyone else, flush the system with distilled water a few times and get that crappy green coolant completely out of your system and get the correct Toyota red coolant in there, it is p/n 00272-1LLAC-01, mix 50/50 with distilled water to make "pink" - this coolant is a little pricier, but it will save your expensive radiator and water pump!
by the way, are the gentlemen shown below the ones who did your timing belt/water pump by any chance?
although every Toyota & Lexus dealership should stock this super common o-ring, and replace it every time they change the coolant, sadly, they don't, so you typically have to order it and come back and get it in a couple of days.
do not use just any o-ring that fits, get the real one, only a couple of bucks!
and I agree with everyone else, flush the system with distilled water a few times and get that crappy green coolant completely out of your system and get the correct Toyota red coolant in there, it is p/n 00272-1LLAC-01, mix 50/50 with distilled water to make "pink" - this coolant is a little pricier, but it will save your expensive radiator and water pump!
by the way, are the gentlemen shown below the ones who did your timing belt/water pump by any chance?
Last edited by LScowboyLS; 03-16-13 at 09:08 PM.
03-16-13, 09:00 PM
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Thanks for the recommendations. Below is a picture of my coolant reservoir, which was completely filled with the redish Toyota coolant previously. Strangely only the greenish coolant is leaking.
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03-16-13, 09:07 PM
#8
Lexus Champion
you have a mixture of red & green, which is a worse situation than all green
I would fix this ASAP
it's pretty easy, just loosen the drain plug, radiator cap, a couple of drains in the engine block area and the top fill bolt and drain everything out, then fill with distilled water, drive around a little bit (not much, just till the temp gauge comes all the way up so that the thermostat opens) and then repeat the whole procedure a couple more times then put in the good stuff - real Toyota red!
I would fix this ASAP
it's pretty easy, just loosen the drain plug, radiator cap, a couple of drains in the engine block area and the top fill bolt and drain everything out, then fill with distilled water, drive around a little bit (not much, just till the temp gauge comes all the way up so that the thermostat opens) and then repeat the whole procedure a couple more times then put in the good stuff - real Toyota red!
03-17-13, 08:05 AM
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Whoever did the work only put back the coolant that was lost during the water pump replacement and nothing else. It's just common sense.. if you see red coolant coming out of it, put red back in it. Sadly, I've worked with people in the past that do these kinds of things.
If it was a yellowish type of coolant like most universal coolant is, it would be ok for a little while but it's always best to go with OEM Toyota coolant. Even more baffling to me as to why they still used green coolant, I went to buy coolant from Toyota a few weeks ago and they now make a 50/50 red coolant. Just pour it in and don't think twice. It's too bad there are so many stupid mechanics out there.
03-17-13, 04:22 PM
#13
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03-18-13, 11:21 AM
#14
on top of fixing the coolant drain **** with a new o-ring, it looks as if the upper radiator hose is leaking too from the thermostat housing. when bringing it back to the mechanic, mention this and they should fix it under warranty. and like everyone said, OEM toyota red coolant only! since it was mixed, the system needs to be flushed out and replaced.
03-18-13, 07:41 PM
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After reading how serious the mixture could be I decided to get it fixed ASAP.
Woke up early this morning and got 2 gallons of coolant from the Toyota dealership (oncediluted it worked out to 16 qts total). Called the mechanic, told them the issue, and said I was coming in and wanted them to flush it with the RIGHT fluid.
They flushed it for free (as they should) and as Timmy mentioned, the clamp at the top of the radiator was the source of the leak and they replaced that too. No leaks from the o-ring since and I'm happy to be running Toyota fluid again.
I do my own basic maintenance (oil, trans fluid, basic belts, I want to try brakes next) as nobody cares about your car as much as you do. It's unfortunate that you can't always trust that people will do it right the first time.
Thanks for the help everyone!
Woke up early this morning and got 2 gallons of coolant from the Toyota dealership (oncediluted it worked out to 16 qts total). Called the mechanic, told them the issue, and said I was coming in and wanted them to flush it with the RIGHT fluid.
They flushed it for free (as they should) and as Timmy mentioned, the clamp at the top of the radiator was the source of the leak and they replaced that too. No leaks from the o-ring since and I'm happy to be running Toyota fluid again.
I do my own basic maintenance (oil, trans fluid, basic belts, I want to try brakes next) as nobody cares about your car as much as you do. It's unfortunate that you can't always trust that people will do it right the first time.
Thanks for the help everyone!