legends. i have a 97 LX 450 with 225K that i bought with a bypassed heater control valve. i fixed this. at some point i noticed the overflow jug was always empty. hot or cold it was empty. someone on here noticed i did not have an OEM radiator cap so i finally found some time and bought one a couple months ago.
anyway i finally got some time last weekend to "burp the system". i parked in a "loaner driveway" on level ground (i know there is some debate about this) and i put the heater on highest setting.
then i filled the overflow jug to full level. then i took the rad cap off filled the radiator from the bottom of the filler neck to the top of the filler neck. then i started the vehicle and let it idle.
at some point i realized that while the bottom of the filler neck looked full - if i filled to the top of the filler neck (like 2 ounce difference or something) it would suck it down and then i would refill and it would suck it down again.
anyway about a half a gallon later it seemed to stop sucking coolant down and i notice a couple splashes of coolant. so i capped it and realized i had not put the overflow tube back in the jug so coolant hit the fan splashing a little and a lot landed on the ground.
anyway, i pulled it around and parked it back on the street and in the morning i came out to a large puddle of what appeared to be coolant (slick between the fingers).
so now i am trying to figure out what i have going on. engine temps seem to stay in the normal range and i don't know i would notice anything if i didn't check the oveflow jug. the radiator itself always stays "full" at the bottom of the filler neck.
i got under it this afternoon and also took some pics. i do see some coolant drips but not sure what to make of this since i spilled a lot the other day when burping the system.
also this morning the overflow jug was full and when i got back and even now on a totally cold engine the overflow jug is empty.
is it possible the overflow jug leaks under pressure (somehow?) even though blowing air into it makes it seem like it is intact?
any helpful suggestions?
THANKS
<very late edit: i did pressure test the radiator shortly after i got it with a kit i borrowed from a local toyota tech and it seemed to be holding pressure but i guess i need to test it again...?>
anyway i finally got some time last weekend to "burp the system". i parked in a "loaner driveway" on level ground (i know there is some debate about this) and i put the heater on highest setting.
then i filled the overflow jug to full level. then i took the rad cap off filled the radiator from the bottom of the filler neck to the top of the filler neck. then i started the vehicle and let it idle.
at some point i realized that while the bottom of the filler neck looked full - if i filled to the top of the filler neck (like 2 ounce difference or something) it would suck it down and then i would refill and it would suck it down again.
anyway about a half a gallon later it seemed to stop sucking coolant down and i notice a couple splashes of coolant. so i capped it and realized i had not put the overflow tube back in the jug so coolant hit the fan splashing a little and a lot landed on the ground.
anyway, i pulled it around and parked it back on the street and in the morning i came out to a large puddle of what appeared to be coolant (slick between the fingers).
so now i am trying to figure out what i have going on. engine temps seem to stay in the normal range and i don't know i would notice anything if i didn't check the oveflow jug. the radiator itself always stays "full" at the bottom of the filler neck.
i got under it this afternoon and also took some pics. i do see some coolant drips but not sure what to make of this since i spilled a lot the other day when burping the system.
also this morning the overflow jug was full and when i got back and even now on a totally cold engine the overflow jug is empty.
is it possible the overflow jug leaks under pressure (somehow?) even though blowing air into it makes it seem like it is intact?
any helpful suggestions?
THANKS
<very late edit: i did pressure test the radiator shortly after i got it with a kit i borrowed from a local toyota tech and it seemed to be holding pressure but i guess i need to test it again...?>
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