hello, got my oil changed and was told my coolant resivor is cracked and leaking. I have been driving 4,000 miles since then and not known or noticed anything until informed today. Is this a high priority fix? I'm not sure exactly what it is but my car hasn't showed any signs of overheating. Also what is an estimate of price for parts and labor?
the engine coolant doesn't get used that much. the inverter coolant reservoir is pretty small and more critical i think. fill the engine coolant overflow tank and see if anything is leaking out. if not, remove the excess, you don't want it mixing with the coolant. who is telling you this?
Have you seen any signs of coolant on the ground where you park the car? Have you had to add any coolant to either reservoir lately? Are your reservoir levels low? If no to all questions I would just keep an eye on the reservoir levels.
The coolant reservoirs are easy to inspect, out in the open. Maybe ask them to show you where they're seeing cracks and leakage. It shouldn't be too expensive to replace.
You can mark both with a grease pencil and observe. Both reservoirs are important. The inverter reservoir is critical and should be kept full and cap on tight. Fortunately all Prii are very cool running machines especially the inverter portion. I would go back to Toyota and ask to be shown the crack. The engine or radiator reservoir is very important in the Summer when it's hot and automatically takes care of expanded coolant when hot and later returns to radiator again after cooling. If the inverter reservoir is replaced the air must be bled also, so let Toyota do that.
Everyone, I have confirmed it is the engine radiator overflow tank that is cracked. I am trying to remove it for inspection, but cant seem to get it off. it is immediately behind the radiator and attached some how (other then the 2 hoses) any ideas? Thanks,
Don't have a 2007, but should be easy. Biggest problems are usually the hoses, a little lubricant helps, wipe off surplus later. It's 8 years old now so some parts are beginning to marry. It may be under Gen Maintain and Troubleshooting.
I believe that the coolant overflow tank is an integral part of the radiator and is not intended to be separately replaced. You can get a new radiator for ~$194 plus shipping here: RADIATOR for 2004 Toyota Prius|16041-21281 You ask whether this is a high-priority fix. The answer is yes, certainly this is required especially in summer weather.
