Inverter Coolant Fluid Level - Concern or just top off?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by aaronlife, Aug 29, 2010.

  1. aaronlife

    aaronlife Junior Member

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    Hey all,

    Changing my oil today, been awhile since I had the hood open for an inspection... a year maybe... about 5-6K miles.

    It's been about 2 years since the prior owner had it in for a service, I recall they had it in right before we purchased it in August 2008.

    I live in Miami Beach...where it's HOT.

    Anyway, I noticed the inverter coolant level is no longer at full. It's hard to see where it's at, actually.

    It's not below low, and it seems to be at least up to the bottom of the double seam that wraps around the tank, but I can't see where it levels off behind the seam.

    Should I be concerned enough to take it in to the dealer and pay them to hunt around until they find a small leak, or is it normal to lose a small amount of coolant over the course of a couple years...

    Should I just buy their high priced Toyota Super Long Life Coolant and top off the extra 1/8-1/4" or so until it's at FULL?

    And then watch it regularly to see if I lose coolant. I do recall it being at or near full the last time I paid attention to it, but like I said, that could have been a year ago.

    I'm used to old Saabs and Oldsmobiles, working on this car is new to me...

    Thanks,
    Aaron
     
    #1 aaronlife, Aug 29, 2010
  2. vertex

    vertex Active Member

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    Aaron:
    If it is not at the low point, you don't need to add. You can top it off if it will make you feel better, and make it easier to see how fast the level drops. I would keep a close on it to see if the level holds.
    Also, I have posted about this before, and many here don't agree with me, but Prestone long life coolant is just as good as the Toyota stuff. The ingredients are bascially the same.
     
    #2 vertex, Aug 29, 2010
  3. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Hi Aaron,

    I would recommend that you spend $22 to buy a gallon of Toyota SLLC and use that to top off the inverter coolant and engine coolant reservoirs (rather than mix with Brand X.) Then keep an eye on both to see if there are any changes after a month or two. If not then don't worry about a leak.
     
    #3 Patrick Wong, Aug 29, 2010
  4. dogfriend

    dogfriend Human - Animal Hybrid

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    I topped mine off after a couple of years. It is hot here too. If it doesn't change for a while after you top off, I wouldn't worry about it.
     
    #4 dogfriend, Aug 29, 2010
  5. uart

    uart Senior Member

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    I also want to buy some coolant for topping off. Is that "Toyota SLLC" the same pink stuff in the engine coolant and the inverter coolant loops, or are they different?

    Also do you know if the dealers sell it by the quart or only by the gallon?
     
    #5 uart, Aug 30, 2010
  6. jdenenberg

    jdenenberg EE Professor

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    The same coolant is in both loops - Toyota Super Long Life Coolant
    By the gallon with a high markup.

    JeffD
     
    #6 jdenenberg, Aug 30, 2010
  7. aaronlife

    aaronlife Junior Member

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    thanks all for the feedback! will follow as advised and keep an eye on it :)
     
    #7 aaronlife, Aug 30, 2010
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