Low coolant after timing belt service
10-19-12, 03:27 PM
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Low coolant after timing belt service
I had the timing belt, idle pulleys, water pump and fan belt replaced by local Lexus dealer three weeks ago and noticed that the coolant reservoir was low to almost empty when I drove home after picking up the car from the dealer. I thought mechanic has forgotten to fill up the reservoir so I filled the reservoir with Toyota red coolant. After two weeks, the reservoir is empty as I only drive about 200 miles since the service. Did dealer make any mistakes or is the head gasket leaking? The coolant reservoir level was always full until the timing belt service.
10-19-12, 07:15 PM
#2
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Get it back to them and have it check asap. It could be something trivial or something pretty serious - if your losing coolant and your engine overheats and is damaged - you will have to pay the damage repair since you noticed the problem but did not take it back to get checked.
10-19-12, 07:23 PM
#3
There are hose connections and gaskets that need to be assembled if the waterpump was changed - plenty of places to loose coolant if you aren't careful on reassembly. Go back.
10-20-12, 09:58 AM
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Someone told me coolant reservoir tank sometimes acts as an expansion tank, low when cold, high when the engine warms up. I drove the car for about 20 miles and noticed that the reservoir tank is now about half full compared to almost empty before the drive. And the engine temperature gauge is mid-point between cold and hot. Can someone confirm by checking their coolant reservoir tank when cold and after engine has warmed up?
10-20-12, 11:04 AM
#6
Most coolant reservoir tanks are marked for hot and cold levels.
The cooling system is a closed system and as coolant heats up and build up pressure beyond the cap's set point (I.e. something like 13psi) the radiator cap opens up to allow overflow to go into the reservoir tank. As it cools down coolant gets sucked back into the radiator.
Look to see if you have hot/cool levels imprinted on the tank.
Jerry
The cooling system is a closed system and as coolant heats up and build up pressure beyond the cap's set point (I.e. something like 13psi) the radiator cap opens up to allow overflow to go into the reservoir tank. As it cools down coolant gets sucked back into the radiator.
Look to see if you have hot/cool levels imprinted on the tank.
Jerry
10-20-12, 01:58 PM
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The owner's manual states coolant should be between low and full when the engine is cold. Since I observed the coolant at the low level when the engine was cold, I am taking the vehicle back to the dealer. I had the service done on 9/28/12 so hopefully this is not too late.
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10-20-12, 07:51 PM
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The owner's manual states coolant should be between low and full when the engine is cold. Since I observed the coolant at the low level when the engine was cold, I am taking the vehicle back to the dealer. I had the service done on 9/28/12 so hopefully this is not too late.
With the work that was done it is possible that there was an air bubble trapped inside the engine water jacket. This air bubble would have worked its way to the reservoir when hot. Then when it cooled down the engine cooling system would suck coolant back into the engine to replace the air bubble, causing a reduced reservoir tank level. Once all air is expelled the reservoir level should remain stable when checked cold.
You should check every day before starting for a few weeks to see if the cold level goes down after being driven. If the cold level in the morning continues to go down the you are loosing coolant.
Another thing to check is the oil. If you have an internal leak, like a head gasket problem, coolant will contaminate the oil and the oil on the dip stick will become muddy color.
Jerry
10-20-12, 09:21 PM
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I just changed the engine oil and did not see any coolant contamination. From my past experience, if the head gasket is blown, I would see the coolant leaking under the car so I don't think head gasket is blown.
Air trap also can be a possibility. I only drive my SC on weekends so I will drive everyday this week and monitor the coolant level.
Air trap also can be a possibility. I only drive my SC on weekends so I will drive everyday this week and monitor the coolant level.
10-21-12, 12:09 PM
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I went to Prestige Lexus in Ramsey. They had the timing belt service special for just under $900 which included timing belt, water pump, two idle pulleys, v-belt and coolant flush.
10-24-12, 05:27 AM
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