Thought I was low on coolant but now I'm not?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Technical Discussion' started by Higgins909, Oct 15, 2023.

  1. Higgins909

    Higgins909 Member

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    I was doing my usual weekend oil level check. I usually give a quick look at my coolants and brake fluid as well. It looked like both of my coolants were a little low. Mainly the left side, engine coolant reservoir. It was actually on the low marker, maybe a hair below. It's normally at the big plastic seam.

    There I am laying bricks thinking that I'm going to need a new engine soon, right after replacing the HVB. I decide to go on a lead foot drive on the cold engine and then check the level again. Now it's where it normally is, as far as I can tell.

    I can't come up with a reason this is. I've never seen it at the low marker before. I forgot to check the inverter coolant level after, but I'm not that worried about that one. I plan to keep a better eye on them. Does anyone know why this has happened? Is it normal?

    Thanks,
    Higgins909
     
  2. Higgins909

    Higgins909 Member

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    Not sure how I double posted this. Maybe a admin can delete one of them?
     
  3. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    Have you given it time to cool down and contract again since the lead foot drive?
     
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  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    If you report it, button a lower left corner.
     
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  5. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    Things expand when they eat and contract when it's burr cold.
     
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  6. Higgins909

    Higgins909 Member

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    I'm going to try and check it in the morning. The whole oil and coolant check and lead foot drive was about half a hour before I posted this.
     
  7. Higgins909

    Higgins909 Member

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    I only looked at the engine coolant again and it was back at the low marker. I've only got about 1000 more miles until my next 5k oil change. Was wanting to do a 200k oil, coolants, transmission fluid, both air filters. Hopefully it doesn't get much lower in that amount of time.
     
  8. Michael Kent Handy

    Michael Kent Handy Junior Member

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    Get an additive for your radiator like Bars/Leaks. It won't hurt it and any head gasket seals that are leaking will stop. Maybe you won't have a head gasket blow like I had. I slap myself that I did not put in an additive before the head gasket went(very common problem with my 2011 gen 3 prius) ask any mechanic that frequently works on prius
     
  9. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Bad advice.
     
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