Is your Tacoma consuming coolant?

[saerandy]

I was under the hood checking the oil level today (cold engine) and noticed that my coolant level was about 1/4 to a half inch below the low mark which surprised me since Toyota did the last oil change at around 20,000 miles. (I would assume they would top off) I’m now at 25 and just did an oil change a week ago but didn’t really glance at the coolant level when I was refilling it.

I never really considered to regularly check that stuff too closely since the truck is so new, but I’m now wondering if anybody else has noticed some consumption? I do drive Long highway miles occasionally so not sure if that might have to do with it?

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[EatMyTaco]

Coolant is checked hot.

run it till the coolant starts being pushed back to the tank. See if it’s still “low”

 

[maxx075]

Yep, I've had (have) this issue. Every now and then I'll get the sweet smell of antifreeze when I turn the truck off. Took about a year and a half, but it slowly got down to the low level.

Never noticed any leaks, and I've checked to see if there were any, but didn't see any around the fan (where there have been known connection issues).

Took it to the dealer and they filled it back up and just said to keep an eye on it.

Not sure where it's evaporating/leaking/being consumed from though. Definitely something to watch.

 

[395North]

Yep, I've had (have) this issue. Every now and then I'll get the sweet smell of antifreeze when I turn the truck off. Took about a year and a half, but it slowly got down to the low level.

Never noticed any leaks, and I've checked to see if there were any, but didn't see any around the fan (where there have been known connection issues).

Took it to the dealer and they filled it back up and just said to keep an eye on it.

Not sure where it's evaporating/leaking/being consumed from though. Definitely something to watch.

Same here.
Bought some OE coolant and top off every so often.

 

[saerandy]

Coolant is checked hot.

run it till the coolant starts being pushed back to the tank. See if it’s still “low”

I'm pretty much 100% sure you are not supposed to check it hot, but cold so you can add to appropriate level without the system exploding in your face.

 

[EatMyTaco]

I'm pretty much 100% sure you are not supposed to check it hot, but cold so you can add to appropriate level without the system exploding in your face.

You won’t get coolant in your eye from the expansion tank. Opening it isn’t like opening the radiator.
also why the tank is clear with high/low marks so you don’t need to open it and visually check.
Coolant expands when it’s hot, ergo expansion tank

 

[395North]

You won’t get coolant in your eye from the expansion tank. Opening it isn’t like opening the radiator.
also why the tank is clear with high/low marks so you don’t need to open it and visually check.
Coolant expands when it’s hot, ergo expansion tank

While that is true , what is special about the 4th gen that suggests it should checked when hot? Cold seems to be the correct method.

 

[Andrace]

Coolant level is checked cold, see attached service guide.

 

[LincolnSixAlpha]

Yep, I've had (have) this issue. Every now and then I'll get the sweet smell of antifreeze when I turn the truck off. Took about a year and a half, but it slowly got down to the low level.

Never noticed any leaks, and I've checked to see if there were any, but didn't see any around the fan (where there have been known connection issues).

Took it to the dealer and they filled it back up and just said to keep an eye on it.

Not sure where it's evaporating/leaking/being consumed from though. Definitely something to watch.

Mine is the same, when I pull into the garage, I can usually smell it a few minutes after I turn the truck off. It's been doing that since new but never see any leaks on the floor or anywhere else. I've even topped it off with a small amount. I'm curious about this, but can't seem to deduce what the deal is with this coolant nonsense. Gotta be honest, getting tired of smelling it!

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