Inverter coolant level

I agree with Patrick, just get a gallon of SLLC and keep around the house to top off when needed. Then if you do develop a leak you have something to top off with until you can get the leak repaired.

 

Thanks for the info 2009. I've always had my level right on the horizontal line just below the word "FULL". I hadn't even noticed that it also had "LOW" shown there at the front.

The "low" indication seems kind of vague though. Like where does "low" officially start? Is it at the top of the arrow, is it at the bottom of the arrow, is it at the word "LOW"?

Just wondering, where abouts does your level come to tkddad, I mean in relation to the arrow and the word "LOW".

 

I think the "Low" level is at least at the top of the arrow if not higher, and seems way too close to the "Full" level. Again the thick seams prevent me from seeing where exactly the fluid level is. Somewhere between "Full" and "Low" I guess.

 

If the fluid level is just beneath the top of the low level it's safe to add some distilled water to bring it to the full mark. It shouldn't take more than 50 ml to reach it, if that. The coolant capacity on the inverter side is nearly 4000 ml so a little bit of water shouldn't cause any trouble. 50 ml is only 1.2% of the capacity and will dilute the 50/50 mix by a whopping 0.6%. Not worth fretting about like so many Priuschat nervous nellies often do about the silliest issues.

Just remember to check the level periodically to confirm that an air bubble was responsible for the low level the last time the container was topped up.

If it the level drops again then it's obvious that there's a leak in the coolant system somewhere. A sealed system will (should) not consume coolant - particularly on the relatively cool inverter side of the HSD.

 

If it's only 50mL down then I think it would be just as safe (or even safer) to just leave it undiluted where it is.

 

Take a black magic marker sharpie and highlight the hi & low level marks. Makes it alot easier to see.
I stole that from another poster but its good.

 

I've just had my 2005 Prius fail a Hybrid Health Check at the dealership, but only on Coolant level in the Hybrid Coolant Components section.

Having just had a look myself it seems fine (see attached photo). Are they checking for something else here, or am I right in thinking this Fail is a bit over-done, and easily rectified with a top up?

Thanks

 

Unless you see pink coolant around that part of the engine bay I'd just top it off and keep an eye on it. Did they say anything else other than low coolant?

 

No sign of any leaking coolant.

I am suspicious of their report generally, and asked them to return the car without servicing it.

They said over the phone that the hybrid pump needed replacing and would cost £350, but their own hybrid health check says it was fine, and it only failed on the coolant level (which also looks fine to me, and could be topped up for less than £350!)

They also told me that there were warning lights lit on the display, and they were surprised I hadn't noticed them. Well neither I nor my wife saw them, and having got the car back in the same condition, I can confirm that no warning lights are lit.

 

Looking at the bigger picture, how long has it been since the coolant was changed? Here in the US they recommend every 50,000 miles after the first change at 100,000 miles.

If you have fresh coolant in there, that's not a dangerous level, but I'd question where it went or where it's going. There could be internal leaks you can't see. There are several hoses and connections between the inverter and the transaxle and the radiator that are hard to inspect, too.

 

If it had "warning lights" there would have been codes set. Ask them for the dtc codes/explanation.

 

Ok- I'll keep an eye on the level myself and see if it goes down any more, and I may write to the dealership to get to the bottom of it, in which case I'll definitely ask for the dtc codes.

Thanks so much for the advice.

 

If you top it off yourself, make sure to use Toyota SLLC premixed 50/50 no added water needed.

 

Will do thanks!

 

The full mark is at the seam of the tank, and the photo shows the current level is close to that mark. So if you add an ounce of fluid you would be good to go.