Coolant leaks at random times?

Tiny
NICKSCOTTPRODUCER
  • MEMBER
  • 2011 TOYOTA FJ-40
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 120,000 MILES
Hello, I've been trying to pinpoint a coolant leak for the last week. It seems to happen at random times, and I don't know if it's from the hoses or the radiator. I say that it happens randomly because I attempted to find the leak with the car running (at least 15 minutes' worth of time), and no leak occurred. Today, after about a 25-mile trip, there was no leak right after I parked the car. However, after leaving the car sit for 2-3 hours and then starting it back up, there was coolant leaking after starting the car back up.
Friday, February 3rd, 2023 AT 10:32 AM

1 Reply

Tiny
AL514
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,236 POSTS
Hello, do you have an overflow tube hooked up to the top of the radiator that goes to a coolant reservoir? If you do and everything is where it should be, you can rent a coolant system pressure tester from AutoZone. Most systems will run about 15 PSI or so, the kit includes are pump that screws onto the radiator cap opening and you can pump the system up to the correct amount and check for leaks this way. It will bring the cooling system up to operating pressure without having to run the vehicle. They work very good. Do this while the system is cold, that's the time you're most likely going to find a leak. You should be able to spot it pretty easily, since I assume you're finding a puddle of coolant under the vehicle. Just don't pump up the system too high. I think the max would 18 PSI, but start lower and look for any leaks.
Here is the spec for the cooling system pressure.
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Friday, February 3rd, 2023 AT 1:36 PM

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