Cooling System Problem with Toyota Prado, 2001, TX turbo diesel, 3 litre
Submitted: Monday, Oct 10, 2005 at 13:00
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Youngones
Coolant level not visible in top of radiator. Coolant seemed to have been forced out of supply
tank overflow.
Pressure tested system. Maintained just under 15 psi for 15 minutes – possibly a very slight decrease in pressure.
Engine and transmission oils appear normal. Engine seems to be running normally.
Travelled for short distances, allowed radiator to cool, then topped it up. Occasionally coolant was sucked back from supply
tank, but usually it wasn’t. Sometimes supply
tank cap was dislodged (by pressure?). Generally the level in supply
tank exceeded Max, wasn’t being sucked back to radiator, and had been forced out of the overflow. Each top-up took about 2 litres, regardless of distances.
Replaced radiator cap with a new one; no change in problem.
Unable to determine cause of problem.
Any Prado owners with this experience? What was the fault?
Reply By: cokeaddict - Monday, Oct 10, 2005 at 13:33
Monday, Oct 10, 2005 at 13:33
Did u test the radiator cap itself ? sounds to me like its not sealing properly adn thus not allowing
water from holding
tank to return back into radiator when needed.
Just a thought.... can get tricky with modern cars though....so many possabile causes.
Ange
AnswerID:
133917
Follow Up By: bazzle - Monday, Oct 10, 2005 at 15:36
Monday, Oct 10, 2005 at 15:36
Replace Rad cap 1st. Then thermostat if you cant find a leak.
Bazzle
FollowupID:
388062
Reply By: Member - Davoe (Widgiemooltha) - Monday, Oct 10, 2005 at 22:46
Monday, Oct 10, 2005 at 22:46
Doesnt sound good. I have had 2 vehicles with the same problem and both times it was a cracked head. From my experience those pressure testers would be better used as bleep extension pumps because they cant find problems short of massive holes in the radiator. Cracked heads dont always show on the dipstick if it is a straight
water jacket to combustion chamber crack. As has been said try the rad cap first and hope!!!!
AnswerID:
134042
Reply By: sensei - Tuesday, Oct 11, 2005 at 15:51
Tuesday, Oct 11, 2005 at 15:51
Davoe Post: Cracked heads dont always show on the dipstick if it is a straight
water jacket to combustion chamber crack.
I too have found this out first hand, Im in the midle of replacing the cylinder head on a 3lt Surf which I believe is the same motor used in the Prados. Found that Number 3 cylinder had a nice little crack direct from the combustion chamber to the
water jacket.
Cooling
water has being pushed into the over flow bottle and was not able to recover it.
Hope it helps
AnswerID:
134135
Reply By: DMECH - Thursday, Oct 13, 2005 at 00:55
Thursday, Oct 13, 2005 at 00:55
the best way to check for cracked head or gasket leak is to /after engine has been running for awhile and radiator hoses feel presurised take out over flow hose from expansion
tank insert into glass of
water and watch for regular bubbles.
if air is leaking from combustion area pressure will build up and open radiator cap to exit , engine is best run at idle speed as more leakage will occur at idle .
this beats using pressure testers et. and we thrue away our sniffer die check gadget away years ago as we found it to be unreliable method.
if you find bubbles by this method it fairly certain your going to take of head & more thn likely you will find cracked head.
good luck dmech
AnswerID:
134423
Reply By: Youngones - Thursday, Oct 13, 2005 at 09:03
Thursday, Oct 13, 2005 at 09:03
I have replaced with a new cap and pressure tested both the old and new. Unfortunately this was not the answer. No abnormality in oil level or appearance. Will test with a glass of
water and look for bubbles. I have consulted my mechanic. I am measuring radiator top-ups and excess fluid in supply
tank.
Thanks to all responses.
AnswerID:
134450
Reply By: robbom - Tuesday, Oct 25, 2005 at 12:46
Tuesday, Oct 25, 2005 at 12:46
sounds like a cracked head ,just heard from my mech who showed me a large crack between cylinder 2 and 3 where
water was leaking into combustion area
cost to repair will be about $4000 as head cannot be repaired,radiator to be clean out as
well,cooling system flush to,
mine is a 3.0lt 2001 model with 170000 klm on clock,hope yours is not the same problem
AnswerID:
136220
Reply By: Youngones - Monday, Nov 07, 2005 at 12:38
Monday, Nov 07, 2005 at 12:38
Proved to be a minute crack in head behind No 3 pre combustion chamber.
Well out of warranty but Toyota came to the party and paid half the cost of all parts.
Thanks to all who responded.
Youngones
AnswerID:
138238