Coolant Level

So my new to me tundra I got last month has @121k it’s a 2008.
And it’s my daily driver and I’ve had to add @ a cup of coolant every day just to keep it to the full line.
Kinda hoping it’s not head gasket. Any suggestions for troubleshooting?

 

Alright... I’ll change radiator cap... oil has @2500k miles on it and looks brand new and it’s right on the line. Yes it’s 5.7.
I’ll check around water pump for leaks and leak stains.

 

Where are you adding the coolant? Through the radiator cap or is the reservoir what's dropping? It should pull in fluid if needed from the reservoir and if too full send it out to the reservoir. If it was me, since they are cheap, I would replace the radiator cap with a Toyota brand cap. The cap holds the pressure and if weak it'll let some bleed off.

 

Aftermarket radiator caps as well as other non-OEM parts can be problematic, I've seen this with my Samurai's, OEM stuff has always worked out better for me. Trying to save a buck can end up being costly, found that out the hard way.

 

Alright will do.
I really hate the sweet smell of coolant .
Was orange .... then I put in green now it’s a Monster color

 

I hope that was the same type of coolant. Different companies will use different colors, and as long as it's the same type you are ok. There are different types that if mixed will turn to a sludge, though.

 

You have to use the correct coolant as Toyota is specific about the formula. You can use the premixed Toyota Long Life which is pink or Zerex Asian which is also pink. Sounds like a drain and refill is in order. I would do another one within 20000 miles. Wrong coolant can cause problems.

 

I used prestone

 

That’s fine as long as you got all the other stuff out. I hear you don’t want to mix. Also it’s supposedly not as long lasting, so plan on changing it sooner. Although most people don’t LOL

 

No I just been adding prestone since I bought the truck used last month. Don’t really even have half gallon prestone in it so far. And I’ve been adding to the reservoir. This my first tundra so I didn’t know coolant had to be oem. Never had to deal with coolant issue on Toyota before. Now you all got me worried I should take to dealer and get coolant flushed. I’m not gonna do that my self cause I’m not good at burping.

 

I’ve just heard that green and pink don’t mix well. Maybe someone else could chime in. But if your truck already had pink Toyota OEM it’s best to stick with that. But I think you should wait to see if the coolant level finally stabilizes before you go having the system drained and refilled. Hate to pay for that twice.

 

Drain and refill. If you refill slowly, you will not have to "burp it".

Use the Aisin fluid. You can get it for about $15 at rockauto

If you do have a leak, it is probably leaking a little at the water pump.

 

I had a similar issue. I couldn't hold the level and it would drop to the bottom of the reservoir. I changed a hose but still no luck. Dealer said to bring it in because sometimes if the water pump is leaking you won't see it because it evaporates. Took to the dealer with no evidence of leaking and it pressure tested fine. Basically had a huge air bubble in it. Run your heater and top off and keep filling. Eventually mine started holding the proper level 1/2 way in the reservoir.

 

I had this same thought. Checking under the hood on my 2011 the coolant reservoir tank was low. Wasn't at the add line but just a little low for my taist. So I topped off with the pink stuff and then checked it a few days later, it was back down again. Long story short, it likes it just about at the add mark and stays there consistently.

 

Mine is low in the reservoir as well. I seems full when I open the radiator cap. I guess I’m not too worried about it for now. I’ll grab a bottle of pink Toyota coolant.

 

I had a similar issue, too. My reservoir was almost completely empty after sitting overnight. Just the tiniest sliver of coolant at the bottom of the reservoir. I topped it off with the Toyota pink stuff to about where the reservoir has that step. You know the one. Where there is that overhang midway between full and low.

I checked a couple days later, and it dropped all the way back down to the tiniest sliver - the level before I added any. There were no puddles, sweet smells, or glaringly obvious pink crystals to be found. I added even more to almost the full line, and it finally held. So. I have no idea where the stuff goes.

 

Coolant topper fairies... or bigfoot not sure

 

check to see if you have coolant running down back of block passengers side heater by pass leaking under intake just had mine repaired reservoir will go down have to keep topping it off

 

I was just looking at the manual in my Camry today.
It said “use ethylene glycol based coolant only and not alcohol based.”
Essentially, you want to top off red coolant with red coolant and green with green.
OP, you can get red “Asian vehicle” coolant at any of the parts stores. It’s called Zerex. Or go buy toyota oem.
Since you already mixed them I would definitely get a flush done. If you’re not good at burping then yeah, the dealer can do it. May as well have them flush the brakes while your at it if you don’t know the service history of the truck.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/tap.fr...uto-professionals/mix-different-types-coolant

 

Had this same issue in my 2014 with 5.7L. Will check it again after topping her off. Hope it’s not an issue. Have oil change coming up so local shop can advise.

 

Update today
At Toyota dealer here in Maine and getting new radiator @$609 installed

 

Geez sounds expensive. So they confirmed the radiator itself was leaking?

 

Yes they did a pressure test first.
I could see a little fluid on radiator before I came to dealer.... Napa radiator 320$ Toyota radiator 256$....

 

And I got my RCI skid plate installed by dealer , inspection sticker, etc