| Author |
Message |
Mike Beck
DieHard
Ellerslie
Soarer 4.0GT
Posts: 903
Reg: 11-2005
|
Well now and then, probably about once every 1-2 weeks after topping my radiator top tank up with distilled water the low level dash warning pops up and once the motors cooled I have a look in the radiator top tank and its dropped from the top to about 30mm lower... takes around 200ml or so to bring it back up.
Ive topped it up about 3 or 4 times so far over many weeks. However interestingly it doesn't get any lower than this level it sits at.. :S
It tends to occur in hot start stop driving so that the temp bar is sitting just on the middle or just over. Or even on long day trips....
What im guessing it is just the excess heated water going out the overflow valve thing in the cap out the hose... Perhaps a good coolant change and radiator flush is required!?
Or any further ideas what this is about and how to avoid this annoying problem from reoccurring?
Cheers guys
 |
Graham Dollisson
Goo Roo
QLD
GTTL , Morris Marina, P76 V8 Super
Posts: 1084
Reg: 07-2005
|
I have a TT and have never seen my temp gauge go over half way in even 40 deg days. Have you ensured that you have bled the cooling system with that handy bleeder that those V8's have?? You should not have to continually top it up. |
Peter Nitschke
Junk Filterer
South Australia
GT4.0 V8
Posts: 6807
Reg: 11-2004
|
Methinks you have a problem.
Even with the dreaded cracks around the level sensor in the overflow tank, the level hardly dropped at all over long periods of time with mine.
Topping it up with water all the time will also be diluting the coolant.
Try driving around with the radiator cap just on the first stop for a bit. This will stop the system building pressure so it won't force coolant out of a small leak. If the level doesn't drop, then you have a small leak when under pressure which needs to be identified promptly.
When my radiator developed a split in the top tank about 2 weeks ago, releasing the pressure stopped it leaking yet I was still driving around in 40 degree heat. I wouldn't push it though, keep an eye on the temperature and carry a couple of litres of water just in case.
Have a look inside the fan shroud, mine was pretty messy as the fan was spinning the leaking coolant onto the shroud which then dried leaving a white residue. If you don't have coolant, or it isn't the real stuff, you might not get this effect.
I am not sure if it could also be a sign of the water pump going. The original pumps tended to leak internally - no visible signs, the new ones have a drain from the bearing housing to the outside world so you at least have a chance to spot a leak before the bearing collapses.
Looking at my old pump on the weekend, I noticed the bearing was pretty stiff, and there was some black powder around the pulley on the housing indicating that it could have been causing the belt to slip a bit too.
I probably changed it just in time. |
Mike Beck
DieHard
Ellerslie
Soarer 4.0GT
Posts: 904
Reg: 11-2005
|
Hmm thanks for the Info Peter,
Well its strange Ive never seen a drip or anything from certain parts. Since Ive been doing an oil flush the under-tray of the engine is off, they seemed pretty clean no drip leaks on them.
When I was under the car its self I had a good look at everything and I couldnt spot one leak on the radiator base, tubing etc seemed fine.
To make the situation more interesting the Radiator top tank thing has been already replaced with a new one recently so It cant be cracks in that...
A coupe of days ago I saw coolant dripping from the Tank top overflow hose which runs down from the neck of the tank where the cap goes... Perhaps thats where its escaping due to heat? Either that or the water pump is leaking where I cant see it... How could I investigate that possibility further? |
Dave Hart
DieHard
Waikato
UZZ32
Posts: 995
Reg: 08-2005
|
Is the filling cap new as well? If not replace it.
As the system runs under pressure, set by the cap rating, any release due to over pressure will be as steam so will not be readily visible but would condense as it falls down the tube.
If you use the proper Toyota fluid then any coolant leaks are easily seen as a pink residue.
As Peter pointed out just topping up with distilled water to replace coolant will dilute it but if you replace with coolant to replace a steam loss then you'll concentrate it. It may pay to have your coolant checked or replaced and there's some pit falls in replacing your coolant as mention in another thread, ie draining the lot out. |
Tim Appleton
TryHard
QLD
UZZ31
Posts: 489
Reg: 07-2005
|
I reckon Dave is on the money. If the cap is getting old then replace it, it can't hurt. |
Mike Beck
DieHard
Ellerslie
Soarer 4.0GT
Posts: 905
Reg: 11-2005
|
Im planning to do a Coolant change with Genuine Toyota Long Life Coolant and Im aware that Im diluting the Mix by adding the water
What Im thinking is perhaps the Radiator cap holds a pressure to weak hence the easily escaping water... Ill find out what rating it is shortly. Any ideas what the recommended pressure level is? |
Don Bagnall
Moderator
New Zealand
I have WAY less Soarers than Hayden :-(
Posts: 5493
Reg: 05-2005
|
Mike I replaced my original cap when I did my coolant flush and replace proceedure.
This was done in Sept.2005, so prices MAY have risen slightly.
I used Toyota Long Life Coolant (as in: the Red stuff!)
I replaced the thermostat, thermostat "O" ring, metal ring under the top bleed bolt, and radiator cap.
The part numbers you require are as follows.
90916 - 03129 THERMOSTAT..UZZ30: $30.09
16325 - 62010 THERMOSTAT "O" RING: $12.32
90430 - 20004 GASKET SEALING WASHER: $3.04
16401 - 50051 RADIATOR CAP: $15.75
SH2151L COOLANT, 215 1 Litre (x 4): $12.99 each
Note: This is NOT the premixed crap.
TOTAL: $113.16
All prices are retail NZD and are inclusive of GST
ps: The car has never used any water, but had some Green coolant in it which was Soooooo unattractive, and the car took longer than it should to come up to normal operating temp.....
Hence the thermostat replacement.....all fixed  |
Mike Beck
DieHard
Ellerslie
Soarer 4.0GT
Posts: 909
Reg: 11-2005
|
Ah Don to the rescue! I was starting to make a part list for the coolant change... Looks like you have done it for me!
Thanks |
Peter Nitschke
Junk Filterer
South Australia
GT4.0 V8
Posts: 6814
Reg: 11-2004
|
I would get 6 litres of coolant, use 5.5 and save the rest for the occasional top up.
Add to the list 6 litres of demineralised/distilled water.
However, I would do the rest and hold off on the coolant for a very short while until you know it isn't leaking. |
Mike Beck
DieHard
Ellerslie
Soarer 4.0GT
Posts: 910
Reg: 11-2005
|
Yes thats a good Idea Peter, Wouldnt want to waste any Genuine coolant would I! |
Peter Nitschke
Junk Filterer
South Australia
GT4.0 V8
Posts: 6815
Reg: 11-2004
|
You can always buy some more |
Mike Beck
DieHard
Ellerslie
Soarer 4.0GT
Posts: 912
Reg: 11-2005
|
Haha Yes I can. |
Mike Beck
DieHard
Ellerslie
Soarer 4.0GT
Posts: 919
Reg: 11-2005
|
Okay, well its still doing this odd problem of low radiator level...
How full are you other guys 1uz radiator tanks? Right to the brim or about 10-20mm lower from the top. The only way Ive found this water to be leaking is through the overflow valve in the cap... Interesting it never gets lower that this point so it must be the case of it being too full.
On closer inspection its not going below the high level on the tank top gauge at all! so obviously theres a problem with the Radiator level sensor... Does such a part exist? Where is it found? Does some one have a part number perhaps?
Cheers |
Graham Dollisson
Goo Roo
QLD
GTTL , Morris Marina, P76 V8 Super
Posts: 1091
Reg: 07-2005
|
No such thing in a soarer! Then again, maybe there is! |
Dan McColl
Goo Roo
Victoria
Bog Standard Active and a pos factory Manual XF Falcon.
Posts: 1737
Reg: 07-2005
|
The level sensor is in the top of the expansion/bubble chamber. They can and do play up.
Mine is filled to the top of the clear part of the bottle. |
Mike Beck
DieHard
Ellerslie
Soarer 4.0GT
Posts: 922
Reg: 11-2005
|
Hmm there must be or how else would it find out the Radiator is apparently low when it bloody well aint?
This stupid problem is so annoying... This just doesnt add up. 
Any further Ideas? |
Mike Beck
DieHard
Ellerslie
Soarer 4.0GT
Posts: 923
Reg: 11-2005
|
Ohh I though that what this part may have been... Is it this in the picture on the left?
The black cap to it its alway coming off as seen in the picture, the wires are still all connected fine but perhaps its making some kind of interference with moisture or something?!
If so I will take it out and clean it... may work we will see? Is that the right part any how? |
Peter Nitschke
Junk Filterer
South Australia
GT4.0 V8
Posts: 6835
Reg: 11-2004
|
The floats can get waterlogged causing them to sink a bit lower than they should.
Pretty sure someone fitted a home made float if you do some searching. New sensors are $$$$$. |
Graham Dollisson
Goo Roo
QLD
GTTL , Morris Marina, P76 V8 Super
Posts: 1095
Reg: 07-2005
|
Fancy V8's! They have everything. |
Tim Appleton
TryHard
QLD
UZZ31
Posts: 495
Reg: 07-2005
|
I don't think the home made job worked too well. |
Dave Hart
Goo Roo
Waikato
UZZ32
Posts: 1016
Reg: 08-2005
|
Mike, this has been fixed on a previous thread. The sensor will unscrew; just unclip the electrical side, pull that black cover back and if you haven't the correct tool then I just used my long nosed pliers opened to fit the holes.
Once removed, remove the outer tube by pushing and turning as it is a bayonet type fitting. It's probably got some old coolant in it and is interfering with the magnetic switch. Dry it out, check to see that the rocker switch works and put back together. You might as well replace the rubber 'O' ring while you're at it.
Be careful as that plastic tube could very well be as old as the car and brittle and if it breaks then you'll need another or you could do without it like most other cars do. |
Mike Beck
DieHard
Ellerslie
Soarer 4.0GT
Posts: 928
Reg: 11-2005
|
Thanks Dave, well I took it out and its pretty clear what the problem is. The float has a crack down one complete side of it so it fills with water and sinks to the bottom! I think Ill unplug it for now, I dont have any leaks so wont really be an issue plus I regularly check fluid levels |
Dan McColl
Goo Roo
Victoria
Bog Standard Active and a pos factory Manual XF Falcon.
Posts: 1740
Reg: 07-2005
|
I believe non toyota coolant plays a big part in making the sensor sink. |
Mike Beck
DieHard
Ellerslie
Soarer 4.0GT
Posts: 930
Reg: 11-2005
|
Hmm interesting, fortunately for me mines got Red long life stuff but needs to be changed as its rather diluted now.
Oh and to make things clearer in my first post I said the coolant temp bar goes over 1/2 way well it never does, usually one block to the left of the middle or right on the centre. |
Previous
