Valley Plate Leak?

[nicoparren]

So I just bought a LC200 for $27,500. Did PPI and my mechanic said it was all okay. However, I noticed today that my coolant reservoir is low.

I’m scared that this could be the dreaded valley plate leak. What could be the signs and symptoms aside from the low coolant? I’m scheduled to see The Car Care Nut on Friday.

 

[Mingus Dew]

See any dried coolant in the engine bay?

This issue is extensively documented on here.

Thread 'Kind of "Mystery" Coolant leak back of engine (heat exchanger valley leak)'

Aug 13, 2017

Hey guys, I had another thread going on on my 09 Lx puking out coolant from what I thought was the waterpump.. But after taking wheels off and a bunch of other plastic crap off of the front of engine (more than I want to remember) waterpump area is completely dry and is coolant drip free (no pink crap anywhere). It seems that all the dripping of coolant is from passenger side control arm back.. there's a lot! After further inspection I seen that the dripping starts from top of tranny hump all the way in the back of motor... There are a bunch of coolant and heater hoses rubber and metal...

• cc93cruiser
• Replies: 313
• Forum: 200-Series Cruisers

 

[nicoparren]

See any dried coolant in the engine bay?

This issue is extensively documented on here.

Thread 'Kind of "Mystery" Coolant leak back of engine (heat exchanger valley leak)'

Aug 13, 2017

Hey guys, I had another thread going on on my 09 Lx puking out coolant from what I thought was the waterpump.. But after taking wheels off and a bunch of other plastic crap off of the front of engine (more than I want to remember) waterpump area is completely dry and is coolant drip free (no pink crap anywhere). It seems that all the dripping of coolant is from passenger side control arm back.. there's a lot! After further inspection I seen that the dripping starts from top of tranny hump all the way in the back of motor... There are a bunch of coolant and heater hoses rubber and metal...

• cc93cruiser
• Replies: 313
• Forum: 200-Series Cruisers

No dried coolant at the bay so far

 

[Mingus Dew]

No dried coolant at the bay so far

If you read through that thread and others you'll see that it can be hard to spot the dried coolant because of the exact location of the leak.

Good luck and hopefully you're not dealing with this leak right after buying!

 

[nicoparren]

If you read through that thread and others you'll see that it can be hard to spot the dried coolant because of the exact location of the leak.

Good luck and hopefully you're not dealing with this leak right after buying!

Hopefully. I'm definitely scared of the head gasket issue. Friday can't come sooner

 

[CanadianRockyCruiser]

Check your waterpump too. That's also a common source of leakage, and can be tough to spot from above.

 

[nicoparren]

Check your waterpump too. That's also a common source of leakage, and can be tough to spot from above.

Yes definitely. What could be the signs and symptoms of a blown head gasket you think? I'm just getting paranoid as I thought I had a good deal with this car. Can't believe my mechanic missed out on the leak.

 

[JohnJB]

Was the reservoir filled to begin with? If so, how much has disappeared over what interval?

 

[nicoparren]

Was the reservoir filled to begin with? If so, how much has disappeared over what interval?

I didn't notice the reservoir when I bought the car. I should've done my due diligence on that one. Filled it up to the full line last sunday. Lost a half an inch since then.

 

[gaijin]

I didn't notice the reservoir when I bought the car. I should've done my due diligence on that one. Filled it up to the full line last sunday. Lost a half an inch since then.

Just FYI:

The reservoir should be filled, and the level read, when the engine is cold. This means that the level will be above the F line when hot if you filled it to the F line when cold.

Conversely, if you filled the reservoir to the F line when the engine was hot, then it will be lower than that - maybe even below the L line, when the engine cools off.

I'd make sure the reservoir is at the F line first thing in the morning when the engine is cold and then monitor the level each morning thereafter.

HTH

 

[nicoparren]

Just FYI:

The reservoir should be filled, and the level read, when the engine is cold. This means that the level will be above the F line when hot if you filled it to the F line when cold.

Conversely, if you filled the reservoir to the F line when the engine was hot, then it will be lower than that - maybe even below the L line, when the engine cools off.

I'd make sure the reservoir is at the F line first thing in the morning when the engine is cold and then monitor the level each morning thereafter.

Thank you for this advice. Will fill it up again tomorrow.

 

[nicoparren]

Just FYI:

The reservoir should be filled, and the level read, when the engine is cold. This means that the level will be above the F line when hot if you filled it to the F line when cold.

Conversely, if you filled the reservoir to the F line when the engine was hot, then it will be lower than that - maybe even below the L line, when the engine cools off.

I'd make sure the reservoir is at the F line first thing in the morning when the engine is cold and then monitor the level each morning thereafter.

HTH

BTW you have also helped me with my low beam lamp exchange. Im very thankful for all that you do.

 

[Sandroad]

If you can do what @gaijin suggests before the Friday appt and carefully monitor the tank both hot and cold, it could provide the Care Care Nut useful info on rate of coolant loss, if any. I think there’s a possibility everything is fine and it was just low when you bought it. Year and miles?

 

[04UZJ100]

Has any work been done recently? May not have been fully burped.

 

[nicoparren]

Has any work been done recently? May not have been fully burped.

No work done recently. Has only been driver 5k miles this year so far. Will continue to monitor until Friday.

 

[linuxgod]

Mileage?

Could be the water pump. Could be the valley plate. Less likely but could be a head gasket. I’d fill it and watch it for a while checking every few days to see how much loss you have.

If the PO did any type of cooling system repair it can take a LOT of miles to burp the system of all air.

 

[nicoparren]

If you can do what @gaijin suggests before the Friday appt and carefully monitor the tank both hot and cold, it could provide the Care Care Nut useful info on rate of coolant loss, if any. I think there’s a possibility everything is fine and it was just low when you bought it. Year and miles?

Yes filled it up earlier as the engine was on standby for more than 8 hours. Will monitor tomorrow. 2014 LC200 157k miles. Bought it for $27,500 just a week ago. A little bit worried as the price was really good.

 

[nicoparren]

Mileage?

Could be the water pump. Could be the valley plate. Less likely but could be a head gasket. I’d fill it and watch it for a while checking every few days to see how much loss you have.

If the PO did any type of cooling system repair it can take a LOT of miles to burp the system of all air.

When the air burps, does it just overflow to the reservoir cap right?

 

[nicoparren]

Has any work been done recently? May not have been fully burped.

Looks like the radiator is new. Might have to text he PO tomorrow to confirm.

 

[linuxgod]

When the air burps, does it just overflow to the reservoir cap right?

I’ve had a small amount of residue at the overflow exit hose before, but generally no I didn’t see any evidence after some cooling system work except the overflow being empty (or low). It seemed to take several top offs to get it filled and steady… I think once the overflow gets empty the cooling system will suck in air when everything gets cool, and then you’re re-bleeding out the air in the system. I’ve heard air in the rear heater lines in particular can take a while to bleed out. Don’t freak out if you’re topping off a few times over several weeks. At least that was my experience.

FWIW I’ve had my radiator, water pump, valley plate, and oil cooler o-rings replaced, so I’ve been through this 4 times. Even following the Toyota procedure to burp the system there will still be air and the overflow tank will need a bit of monitoring for a little while.