[MrPiglet]

Howdy-

I just checked my coolant reservoir and it is completely empty. What gives? It was full last week.

[vtcruiser60]

Fill it up to the line with water and keep your eye on it. Look for drip marks or puddles. The water pump is a common source of leaks, or small pin holes or cracks in the radiator hoses.

If you observe neither, and continue to lose coolant...you might want to have the system pressure tested. Or, you could pull the spark plugs and look for coolant in the cylinders. If you observe coolant there...you likely have a crack in the head or block. Have you observed any white smoke billowing from the exhaust, persistent even after the truck warms up?

[Ming89FJ62]

You didn't say what model and year cruiser you're talking about.

I fought the same battle w/ our 62 for over a year. Coolant mysteriously disapearing - ended up being a very small crack/hole in one of the lines to the rear heater. It was way up under the frame - I never would have found it unless I put it on a lift. The tell tale drip of antifreeze finally gave it away.

Start in the engine compartment and look for weaping signs, along the fins of the radiator, the weap hole in the bottom of the water pump and check every hose. Hopefully it will be a simple fix.

Harry

[MrPiglet]

Sorry I was called away while i posted this thread. Anyhoo, the story is this: I drove 12 miles to town to pick something up. truck was running perfect. It has been running perfect in recent memory. It is a 1981 FJ60.

I parked for 10 minutes and when I returned, I tried to start her up but was met with a massive squealing sound and no start. Something seized! I popped the hood and checked the H2O pump and radiator. Radiator is full, but reservoir is empty... bone dry. That led me to believe the H2O pump had crashed. Last week the res was full to the top line. Had the truck towed to Toyota. Turns out the Smog pump took a crap and needs to be changed. H2O pump is fine. I have a replacement on the way from Cruiserparts.

Truck is at Toyota now and they will do the labor as it is cheaper than having the truck towed to my home. Is there anything to do with the engine seizing that would cause the coolant loss? They don't seem to be worried about the low coolant, but I am and would like to go there with some suggestions. A little hand holding never hurts at the dealership.

Thanks guys.

[Ming89FJ62]

First, do a thorough visual exam start w/ the radiator - check for staining (blueish tint) around the seams on both the top and botton tanks and check the hose necks for cracks. Then move onto the water pump - is the pulley/shaft loose and again check for blue/green stains and weeping from the hole under the shaft. Move to to the oil cooler check that. Check all hoses including the small one tucked behind the thermostat. Check the heaters and their hoses - you might have to get the truck up on a lift to get at everything. Does your exhaust smell sweet or generate white smoke when you start up? My little leak took years to finally figure out - I still check the fluid level every Saturday morning (it's the wifes DD)

Good luck.

[bigbrown]

you can buy a dye from nappa auto parts that you put in the radiator. then you need a black light to shine under the hood at night.

worked ok, but not great. only a few bucks though.