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Constantly Overflowing Coolant

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by 09Prius2, Apr 6, 2018.

  1. 09Prius2

    09Prius2 Member

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    I used the pour and go $35 bottle. I don't know if it mended anything but it worked wonders as a flush product. There's a bunch more junk in there now ready to drain out again but at least everything is moving freely now.
     
  2. 05PreeUs

    05PreeUs Senior Member

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    Actually, TONS of people think they are "overheating", when there is no visual indication (dash warning light) that they are. That is why I asked the question, still I did not find a single post suggesting the temperature warning light comes on.
     
  3. 09Prius2

    09Prius2 Member

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    Yeah so problem continues.

    2nd Toyota dealer replaced the radiator cap again for the $137 diagnostic fee.

    It already had a new radiator cap. But they did also put in $10 of gas that they ran out trying to find a solution. That was nice of them.
     
  4. 09Prius2

    09Prius2 Member

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    And, so I installed a new water pump... and new thermostat. Pump wasn't too bad but thermostat was crusted over.

    So bled out a few times and see what happens.
     
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  5. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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    Curious what color the fluid was, and what type of fluid you are now using.

    Any idea on why there was a bunch of junk in there?
     
  6. 09Prius2

    09Prius2 Member

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    What comes out is pink but chalky. It seems to be boiled down sediment.

    I've been having to use whatever pink I could find when it overheats. Walmart has a pink toyota xerex for $10 that I had to buy a few times. Yesterday I had to get the pentosin a4 from autozone.
     
  7. 09Prius2

    09Prius2 Member

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    There's a definite correlation between time of day and overheating.

    Yesterday it overheated midday on the freeway, I turned off the ac and slowed down 10mph and it didn't overheat for the rest of the day.

    Since doing the water pump and thermostat, it didn't overheat or overflow, but the coolant tank was bubbling around midday.
     
  8. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    What you could be seeing maybe caused by mixing different coolants.

    Just because it is pink, doesn’t mean it can be mixed with other pink coolant.

    It maybe fine to use alternative coolants, if you completely drain and flush, then refill.

    I’d do a total drain, flush/clean and the refill with your chosen coolant. Then continue to use that coolant — do not mix with any other brand or type.

    It is a whole lot easier, and probably cheaper in the long run just to stick to the Toyota SLLC.
     
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  9. 09Prius2

    09Prius2 Member

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    This is what I did when changing the water pump. What is in there now is pentofrost a4 pink phosphated hoat long life coolant for toyota vehicles.
     
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  10. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    Ok, but when you said:
    ... I got a different impression.

    Anyway, as long as people realise that different coolants should not be mixed even if they are the same color.
     
  11. 09Prius2

    09Prius2 Member

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    When it overheats I would have to pull over and put in whatever I could find. But branding aside, they're all on par. The valvoline xerex is a phosphated hoat extended life coolant. So is the pentofrost a4. The coolant argument is so silly it's like people that say you can't mix different brands of oil or gasoline if it's the same specifications.

    The 2 times it was at the dealer they used whatever they had out of a drum and poured into random containers. And it did the same thing.

    The sludge in the system was preexisting and it's still there apparently. I could ask the dealer to flush it out one last time than I have to call it quits. Won't make it through a Florida summer when it bubbles over above 80 degrees.
     
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  12. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    And that is the trick. If you've looked at spec sheets, sometime you are none the wiser. Plus I haven't come across any spec sheet for SLLC with which to compare. The only thing is a very general it must be this, mustn't be that in the owner's manual. Even if an alternative product ticks all those boxes, it still does not mean you can mix it.
    If it was a Toyota dealer, it will be bulk supply Toyota SLLC.
    Maybe something the previous owner did, and mess up the internals.
    If you do this ensure they use a cleaner then flush.
     
    #32 dolj, May 2, 2018
    Last edited: May 2, 2018
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  13. 09Prius2

    09Prius2 Member

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    Ok. So I finally got check engine light, and codes. P0300 random misfire. P0302 cylinder 2 misfire. And p0000 what?

    Ok. Anyways. I think it's obvious cylinder 2 is bad. It's been starting rough and noisy/underpowered at high temp/speed on occasion.

    Seems like time to ditch it?
     
  14. Beachbummm

    Beachbummm Senior Member

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    have it checked for a blown head gasket.. air bubbles in the coolant tank and over heating are symptoms, dont waste your money on pour in sealers even if they work they gum up all the passages in the cooling system..but as you have sludge in there Ill guess someone already tried these products in the past to sell the car.. unless you want to spend thousands in repairs Id sell it to a car lot. .
     
  15. 09Prius2

    09Prius2 Member

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    Pretty sure by getting the blue devil out of there has revealed the problem. It's running rougher now and I couldn't get the #2 plug out to check if it's fouled out.

    I'll piece it together best I can and see if it makes it to the auction next week red light special. Just such a bummer because it has nice leather and navigation.
     
  16. Beachbummm

    Beachbummm Senior Member

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    the plug is rusted in or they used lock tight so you cant get it out.. pour the same fluid back in and send it to the next victim. id avoid all gen 2 prius and early gen 3's.. the repair costs for the most common problems far exceeds their value as you now know.. im looking for another battery pack but everything i find has bad mods.. they are all 8,9, or 10 years old so they are at the end of their life expectancy.. ill be getting rid of my 08 shortly
     
  17. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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    How much are you trying to spend on a HV battery pack?

    Thought @Hometown Hybrids or at Hybrid Car Battery Repair & Replacement | Hometown Hybrids had a decent refurb for $995, including free delivery in both directions.

    Using that warranty from your Florida location might be tricky, but I think Jessica mentioned only have a single return to date -not sure if that was a warranty claim or otherwise (remember it being the later though).
     
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  18. Beachbummm

    Beachbummm Senior Member

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    Thanks but ive done the doorman refurbs through advanced auto, they are junk but have a 3 year replacement.. ONLY if certain codes are stored in the computer at the time of failure..Most people cant have their car tied up for weeks while you fight with these companies to ship replacements and pay to have the codes scanned and see if they will honor their warranty.. I can play wack a mole myself if I had extra mods too pull from. even the ones I have bought off e bay arent holding up as they are also nearing 10 years old or older.

    and with the strong possibility of the brake actuator failing I tell people to avoid gen 2's now.. repairs are more that the cars are worth.
     
  19. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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    No Dorman products at @Hometown Hybrids as their offerings are assembled in house or bought directly from Toyota.

    Maybe Jessica will chime on how they handle warranties (when out of state, which codes, shipping fees, etc.)

    Have you looked into purchasing your 'mods' from @jeff652 at http://www.hybridautomotive.com ??
     
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  20. probswithmygen2

    probswithmygen2 New Member

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    hey i know this is an old thread but wanted to reach out to see if you found the culprit to ur coolant overflowing problem? currently im having the SAME EXACT PROBLEM, but ive been working on it my self trying to figure it out. if u could get back to me id appreciate it thanks.