Pink crust coolant leak?

Discussion in 'Prius c Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Syed Ashar Ali, May 21, 2023.

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  1. Syed Ashar Ali

    Syed Ashar Ali Junior Member

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    Hi I changed my hybrid battery today and the guy said there is pink crust on the inverter coolant so that means it's a leak.

    Just wondering if there's any truth to that?
    Should I get it replaced?
     
    #1 Syed Ashar Ali, May 21, 2023
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    1) you are in the gen 4 forum, are we talking your prius c?

    2) idk what 'pink crust on the inverter coolant' means?
     
    #2 bisco, May 21, 2023
  3. MalachyNG

    MalachyNG Active Member

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    Pink crust and residue is evidence of the pink long life coolant leaking yes. Was your coolant low?
     
    #3 MalachyNG, May 21, 2023
  4. Syed Ashar Ali

    Syed Ashar Ali Junior Member

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    Oh sorry wasn't aware of different prius thread. Not too good with cars but I'll explain it the best possible way. Yes it's 2014 prius c

    I did a fill and drain on the OTHER coolant 5 months ago. The one closer towards the steering wheel. The coolant closer to the opening of hood I never did a fill and drain.

    I'm not sure if it was low. But he saw pink crusts around the cap area of the coolant. He said he will fix it later. I can still drive it.

    Later on he said he can't find neck filler coolant part. Something along those lines. Can't remember the exact words. He said maybe the clamp is just lose so he will just replace the clamp and do a full and drain on the coolant ClOSER to the opening of hood and change spark plugs.

    I have 172,000 miles.

    He said you should fix the crusty coolant leak or your car can blow up but said it's fine to ride it now
     
    #4 Syed Ashar Ali, May 21, 2023
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  5. Syed Ashar Ali

    Syed Ashar Ali Junior Member

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    Should I be concerned
     
    #5 Syed Ashar Ali, May 21, 2023
  6. MalachyNG

    MalachyNG Active Member

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    Yes a coolant leak can lead to engine overheating and unrepairable damage.

    If it's just around the cap and there's no loss of coolant I'm not sure if your problem is as dramatic. I'm not familiar with the Prius c but do you think they share the same coolant? Could you have overfilled when you flushed your coolant? If it overflowed that can explain crust around the cap. It's not totally harmless you did have some pretty corrosive stuff splashing around but there may not be a leak.
     
    #6 MalachyNG, May 21, 2023
  7. Syed Ashar Ali

    Syed Ashar Ali Junior Member

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    Well i did not do the fill and drain on the coolant CLOSER to the steering wheel one. I'm not sure if both coolants share the same thing. A mechanic shop that deals with hybrids did it. When they gave me the car back I noticed the coolant level was right at the minimum or average line. It wasn't completly filled

    I asked him if I myself can top the coolant. He said yes. So I topped it all the way up.

    Yes its just around the cap.
    Can I drive another week or so before getting this fixed?

    Can any mechanic shop repair this or does it have to be a hybrid specialist?
     
    #7 Syed Ashar Ali, May 21, 2023
  8. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    Any shop can do it, but it is best to use Toyota's long-life coolant.
     
    #8 Leadfoot J. McCoalroller, May 21, 2023
  9. Syed Ashar Ali

    Syed Ashar Ali Junior Member

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    So... To fix the pink crust around the cap it needs to be drained and filled and that will solve the leak?
     
    #9 Syed Ashar Ali, May 21, 2023
  10. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Could be they just spilled some when refilling. Where exactly is the pink crust; post a picture?
     
    #10 Mendel Leisk, May 21, 2023
  11. MalachyNG

    MalachyNG Active Member

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    Coolant expands when hot and the tank you see under the hood is more akin to overflow. When cold it should be between the low and high lines. Likely, if you filled it to the top you just overfilled and it expanded out of the cap, leaving the residue.

    From what you've described I don't think you have a leak but just had some overflow. What kind of repair is this guy suggesting anyway?

    Keep an eye on your coolant. Check under the hood every drive and see if it's losing any. See if there is any more pink crust under where you normally park. If you see an overheating warning stop immediately and turn off the car. Get a tow. But I'm doubtful it'll come to that
     
    #11 MalachyNG, May 21, 2023
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  12. Syed Ashar Ali

    Syed Ashar Ali Junior Member

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    The guy is suggesting to fill and drain the coolant closest to the opening of hood. ( I did a fill and drain on coolant closest to steering wheel 5 months ago)

    He is also suggesting to put new hose clamps on
     
    #12 Syed Ashar Ali, May 22, 2023
  13. MalachyNG

    MalachyNG Active Member

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    Well at the age and miles of your car that's probably not a bad idea regardless. Hoses and clamps can degrade over time and since you already did a coolant flush on the other reservoir it's probably time for that one too. Its probably fine to keep driving if you haven't seen any loss end your car is still running fine.
     
    #13 MalachyNG, May 22, 2023
  14. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    What kind of clamps? Hopefully not screw type. Are the original ones rusty?? I can’t seem them failing.

    One of those will be engine coolant, and the other inverter coolant. Would be good to get the repair manual procedures for both; consider a short term subscription to Toyota Tech Info?
     
    #14 Mendel Leisk, May 23, 2023
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