Coolant Level Help

What is the best way to test coolant level?
and How does the coolant recovery system work?

Before I start my truck I opened the hood to look where the coolant level was. It was a few inches up from the bottom of the tank , and after driving around for a while I opened the hood again and it was a few inches higher.

Should i fill the reservoir up to the full line when it is cold or hot ?
and when is the best time to check its level, when its cold or hot?

thanks

 

Coolant expands as it gets hot and contracts when it cools. Keep the Coolant level in the plastic overflow reservoir up to the fill line either hot or cold as appropriate. Provided the radiation is full and the upper hose is firm when squeezed, you shouldn't need to do more provided the reservoir hasn't emptied and you haven't drained any from the radiator. Only check the radiator when cold. Opening it hot can lead to severe scalding burns.

 

Check when cold, add if needed up to the line. Wait til morning and do this before the first start of the day

 

Pretty sure the coolant in the tank should be between the lower and full marks cold. Mine when fully warmed up reads at the full mark exactly.

 

I have a 2017 1794 and also have a coolant level question. I just returned from a 2,000+ mile trip, and during the trip, the coolant level in the reservoir was always at or just below the fill line. After being home a few days, I noticed the reservoir was almost completely empty, and after driving, it was up a few inches but still well below the fill line. The radiator is full. There is now radiator fluid spray in the engine compartment or any fluid on my garage floor. Nothing appears to have pooled in the engine compartment, either. Thoughts? I'm paranoid!

 

Your truck is fine.

The coolant level in the reservoir will vary based on temperature. Including now that it’s been a bit cooler in GA the last week or so.

So let’s say you left your truck parked overnight and you pop the hood in the morning before starting it. There will be less coolant in the reservoir on a 45F day than on a 90F day. Now if you start the truck and drive around for 30mins and then check the level, it will be higher than when the truck was “cold”.

Always check the level after letting the truck sit over night. If you are anywhere between the low and full marks you are good. If you have some coolant, just fill it up to the full mark on a cool morning and you should be good for at least a year. If you check randomly throughout the year, it will vary depending on the weather and when you last drove.


Now if you suddenly have a completely empty reservoir, you have an issue. As long as there is some coolant in there you are good.

 

Thanks, Pman!

 

On my 2016, I was losing a little coolant every month, noticed the coolant "spray" on the neck of the radiator. I swapped out radiator caps with a TOYOTA cap( important to use OEM) and never had a problem since.
Could try that since the are inexpensive

 

Thanks. I had a bit of drippage around the upper radiator hose & tightened the clamp. I drive a lot (retired) and noticed after several thousand miles, the drip starts again but ever so slightly. Not sure if the clamp is wiggling loose or what. Don't want to overtighten for fear I'll crack the radiator.

 

Sound like your upper clamp and possibly the hose are not OE Toyota parts. If that’s the case consider swapping them out for factory ones next time you do a coolant flush. The Toyota ones are not that expensive and they last a really long time if don’t move the clamps around. (Like rotating them to a different position)

 

Yeah, was thinking about that. I had the upper & lower hoses changed, and the shop did a crappy job (I do certain maintenance & didn't do this one) which I called them out on. Problem started after that. Definitely aren't Toyota hoses & they did a chop job fitting the upper hose. I'm due a flush this Spring & will get OEM hoses/clamps.

 

New from the dealer they are like that at the first service they are supposed to top off.