99 Avensis loosing coolant

Patrick2010

At a recent service it was mentioned to me there was coolant along the top the radiator and to keep an eye on the rad level. Must say I hadn't noticed it before.

Topped up the reservoir bottle and could see the level was going down but even when it went below minimum the level in the radiator level stayed normal. Car temp normal, no overheating Wiped off any coolant on the top of the radiator, topped up the coolant and ran the engine until it got to normal to see if I could see where it was coming out but no joy. Replaced the radiator cap but still losing coolant. Topped up at the weekend and had a good drive and level went down only slightly. Yesterday could get a smell driving home and when I checked could see the level was at minimum again and could see the coolant along the top of the radiator and dripping down the sides. Yesterday was city driving in traffic. Can see a crack in the top of the reservoir bottle but above the coolant max level.

Are those rad seal products any good or am I looking at a new radiator?. Any advice gratefully received!

Needles73

Is it petrol or diesel? The diesel ones of that era had an issue with cracked heads.

Patrick2010

petrol, had a look at the oil and its clear so I don't think its the head.

NattyO

Replace the radiator cap, could be as simple as the cap blowing off coolant.

PsychoPete

There's probably a crack somewhere on the top of the rad, that's the problem I had with my corolla losing coolant

Patrick2010

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120607430#Comment_120607430

As I said I replaced that

xDerp

I had one of these, the plastic on top of the radiator cracked and I had to replace the whole thing. It wasn't a difficult job though.

NattyO

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120607624#Comment_120607624

Missed that bit!

Patrick2010

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120608025#Comment_120608025

You had to replace the whole radiator?, how difficult was it? (you're talking to an idiot when it comes to cars)

kermitpwee

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120608454#Comment_120608454

Yes the plastic part of the radiator can have a hairline crack not visible to the eye. Not a big job for a local mechanic, 250 all in including radiator i would say

Patrick2010

Thanks, I see them priced online for around 130 so with labour thats probably the cost, cheers for that.

xDerp

If you don't have much experience and you can get it done by a garage for 250 then go for that!

it wasn't a difficult job as far as I remember, it was a little messy. That car is nice to work on though, there's plenty of room to move around. Another thing to consider... mine was a 2000 model and I did the job in 2014. Yours is 24 years now old so things might be more perished or rusty!

This guy has a video of the job:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPuziE8bvbE

Patrick2010

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120611399#Comment_120611399

Thanks for that, fair play to you but I'm sure I'd screw it up somehow!. I'm going to try a bottle of K-seal and see if that works, otherwise I'll go to my usual garage.

https://www.autofactorswaterford.ie/product/k-seal-radiator-repair/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIvPrdptL-_gIVaJRoCR0u-QopEAQYAiABEgLo2_D_BwE