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Coolant Level Low

Hello,

I have a 99 Camry at approx. 150K miles. Today while driving, I noticed that the Engine temperature needle started moving upwards towards the dreaded "H" letter and I suddenly pulled over and shut down the engine. After popping the hood, I noticed that the coolant reservoir was down basically nothing. This is the first time this such thing has happened to this car. Yes, I do always crank the AC high enough during summers and this summer has been no different than the last 4 years I have owned and driven this car. Ofcourse, I have driven this car a lot so I do realize I have got a lot of mileage out of it. I can think of only three possible causes for the coolant reservoir to drop down:

a. Leakage somewhere b. Engine consuming it much higher than it has been regularly, or c. Since the car is getting older and has been driven a lot, she just requires more coolant than a newer car would need

Please guide me in this very much needed help with my lovely car that I would hate to part ways with. The last time I had coolant fluid replaced was at 88K miles in late 2002. Could this be another reason why this could have happened?

Also, I am wondering about 150K mile checkup list that I should get done. I have done timing belt replacement at 79K miles and have done oil changes almost always at 3000K miles interval and tire rotation every other oil change.

Thanks in advance! Rohit

Reply to
Chadha
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I like to replace the coolant (even the lifetime stuff) every 2-3 years --- saves replacing the radiator and having inside of engine corrode. I'd get the radiator flushed and change the thermostat. Next timeing belt change I'd get the waterpump replaced too. Are all the electric fans working -- that could be problem too.

Reply to
Wolfgang

You have a leak , fill the radiator and tank and look for a leak. You should have replaced all hoses by now.

Reply to
m Ransley

================ Focus on "a". Cooling systems in good condition do not "consume" coolant apart from slight evaporation losses. It is important to solve the leak because overheating the engine even once can cause expensive damage. Check carefully around the radiator including upper and lower plastic tanks. Second place to check would be water pump - especially if original. Hoses would be least likely.

Reply to
Daniel

Reply to
Wolfgang

Thanks everyone for all your advice. I have made note of each response here and will let my mechanic know about it as a probable cause and to definetely check it out and get it fixed ofcourse.

Reply to
Chadha

Also, if the coolant level wasn't checked periodically, this is what can happen. But like others said, your engine didn't just use more coolant - more coolant leaked out from somewhere. Have it inspected before it hurts the head gasket.

You have an old cooling system and it should be inspected along with a pressure test. Usually by 100 Kmiles I'd already have replaced the radiator, radiator cap, thermostat, and all cooling system hoses myself on a preventative basis. Besides, the last coolant change interval was a bit too long. Try no more than 2 years/24-30K miles.

Was the water pump replaced at 79K miles? It should have been replaced with the timing belt after the mechanic took everything apart, even if it "looked fine". The pump may look fine but can be the cause of the mysterious, gradual coolant loss problem many posted.

An inoperative AC condenser fan can cause overheating. You can inspect the fan by turning the key to ON (engine remains off) and turning the AC on. The condenser fan will operate. Be careful of moving fan blades. At 150K miles, the electrical carbon bushes in the alternator and fan motors are just about used up, if not already after 100K.

Chadha wrote:

Reply to
johngdole

Thanks a lot for this vital piece of advice. Water pump was replaced at 79K miles and my mechanic is replacing water pump again as it seems to be the cause for the leak ( in addition to timing belt change as well ).

Reply to
Chadha

If he doesn't use an OEM Aisin pump (which I didn't think was that good anyway given the common gradual coolant loss problems reported), he should get a new Airtex water pump from the local NAPA parts store that carries a lifetime warranty. Don't use any of those other parts stores' blue light special.

Get a Gates tim> Thanks a lot for this vital piece of advice. Water pump was replaced at 79K

Reply to
johngdole

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