low coolant level

[FRS_KOTO]

Dealer burp the radiator after 50 miles, coolant level is low again and no sign of leakage. Internal leak ?

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by FRS_KOTO

Dealer burp the radiator after 50 miles, coolant level is low again and no sign of leakage. Internal leak ?

What do you mean by "low"? Low in the reservoir? Low in the rad? How low is "low"? Have you checked with the engine both hot and cold?

[FRS_KOTO]

low on reservoir when cold . Dealer top it off when it was hot.

[EndlessAzure]

Per the manual, you're supposed to top off the overflow reservoir when it's cold.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by FRS_KOTO

low on reservoir when cold . Dealer top it off when it was hot.

It is supposed to be low in the reservoir when cold. It works by pushing coolant into the reservoir when it get hot and expands. When the engine cools down it sucks it back into the rad. It is an expansion reservoir so that it doesn't just spill onto the ground when the engine is hot. It is not a fill to this line type situation like brake fluid or such. Even when the engine is hot it will not always fill the reservoir since there is no set amount of flow back and forth. As long as there is some in there at all then you are fine. If you fill it too much when cold then it will just push the excess out when it heats up.

[Silverz]

I’ve noticed there is about a two inch difference in the reservoir between hot and cold engine.

I’m about 1 inch below the full line when engine is cool and 1 inch above the full line engine is hot.

I think if you are between the low and full line when the engine is cold in the reservoir, you should be fine.

[Grady]

Leave the cap on. Service the resivior. There can be air trapped in the system with multiple heat and cool cycles it will work its way out.

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by FRS_KOTO

Dealer burp the radiator after 50 miles, coolant level is low again and no sign of leakage. Internal leak ?

DANG, FRS_KOTO - are you new to cars?

Maybe you are just really old with cars? In that case, back in the old days, radiators didn't have separate overflow reservoirs, the expansion of the coolant was dealt with in the top of the radiator.

Now, if you are new to cars (and that's OK, we all were new at one time - it took me a while to learn the pedal dance in our model T - ), I suggest you read the manual carefully and if you have any questions (after doing a search) post up your question here on the forum and someone will help you out.





humfrz

[FRS_KOTO]

Dealer says, they had to call a subie tech since the valve spring replacement procedure doesnt include the re burp radiator process. “ special procedure “ due to an angled radiator on these vehicles. Anyway, dealer added coolant for the second time and will check back tomorrow if coolant level slurp it again . Thanks everyone for jumping in and appreciate your kindness and feel younger with greyed hair .

[FRS_KOTO]

Originally Posted by Silverz

I’ve noticed there is about a two inch difference in the reservoir between hot and cold engine.

I’m about 1 inch below the full line when engine is cool and 1 inch above the full line engine is hot.

I think if you are between the low and full line when the engine is cold in the reservoir, you should be fine.

it was below the “ low” line after driving 50 miles .

[Silverz]

When I changed my radiator fluid and had to follow the procedure outlined in diy section which involved running the heater, releasing the air, refilling the radiator and reservoir a few times.

[Mr.ac]

Here is the simple fix for under $1
Go to any supermarket
Buy distilled water
Open hood
Pour in a cup or two to the coolant reservoir

Problem solved.

If you want to be a high roller
Go to any Toyota/Subaru dealership and/or online -$40ish
Buy coolant
Open hood
Pour in a cup or two
Problem solved.


All cars no matter how modern will use up a small amount of coolant. Due to simple evaporation. Since it's mostly water. Water near hot objects such as engines or anything that gives off heat will have an evaporating effect.

[ermax]

If you keep adding water you end up deluding it to much and next thing you know your pump is gone. Doubt you would use this much but it’s best to just go the high roller route.

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by ermax

If you keep adding water you end up deluding it to much and next thing you know your pump is gone. Doubt you would use this much but it’s best to just go the high roller route.

Well, I reckon that would depend on how much you have to add. It's my understanding (after looking at the boiling points of the major ingredients of the coolant), that the water portion would boil off (evaporate) first.

Therefore, if the loss is due to evaporation, it would be OK to top it off with distilled or demineralized water. However, if the loss is due to leaking, it might be best to top off with the store bought blue stuff.





humfrz