Losing Radiator Fluid

[Gary Coffs Coast Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Gary Coffs Coast]

I have been losing radiator fluid in my Prado 150 Kakadu for a few months now and i have to replace around 500ml every month depending on how much I drive.
I can not see any visible leaks at the lid or under the car. I have had it pressure tested and it holds pressure.
Any thought or insights will be welcome as I hope I don't find myself having to open the engine ;(

[pedrolo Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close pedrolo]

Have a look inside in the cabin driver side, beneath the carpet. If you see pink stain (or green if you use green coolant), probably you have a leak inside radiator.

To fix is a pain in the back.

Hope is something easer to fix.

Mine is sick with same desease.

Good Luck.

[Gary Coffs Coast Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Gary Coffs Coast]

Have a look inside in the cabin driver side, beneath the carpet. If you see pink stain (or green if you use green coolant), probably you have a leak inside radiator.

To fix is a pain in the back.

Hope is something easer to fix.

Mine is sick with same desease.

Good Luck.

Thanks Pedro Ill take a look

[ptommo59 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close ptommo59]

What year and engine is your Prado 150?
(As there are a range of different issues with coolant loss reported for the 1GR/1KD/1GD)

[zoc Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close zoc]

mine (2.8l) is the water pump leaking. there is a "weep" hole in the case and it drips on to the serpentine belt and if the fan is spinning it flicks it everywhere and causes a mist/steam to bellow out of the engine bay.
if this is you case, open the bonnet and look at the insulation for water stains. or i did see a video of a guy using an inspection mirror and you could see red coolant that had dried on the bottom of the water pump.

after 6 months of procrastination i think ill change it on Friday, ill post a photo if i can.

[Gary Coffs Coast Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Gary Coffs Coast]

What year and engine is your Prado 150?
(As there are a range of different issues with coolant loss reported for the 1GR/1KD/1GD)

Hi its a 2016 model 2.8lt diesel. Ive checked all the carpets and nothing wet. Also looked under the car after its been standing and no sign of any drips. Cheers Gary

[Gary Coffs Coast Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Gary Coffs Coast]

Thanks Pedro Ill take a look

No luck everything is dry

[Gary Coffs Coast Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Gary Coffs Coast]

mine (2.8l) is the water pump leaking. there is a "weep" hole in the case and it drips on to the serpentine belt and if the fan is spinning it flicks it everywhere and causes a mist/steam to bellow out of the engine bay.
if this is you case, open the bonnet and look at the insulation for water stains. or i did see a video of a guy using an inspection mirror and you could see red coolant that had dried on the bottom of the water pump.

after 6 months of procrastination i think ill change it on Friday, ill post a photo if i can.

Thanks Ill try locate the pump housing and take a look. There is no sign of red coolant looking from the top of the engine down, Cheers Gary

[watsea Member Find all posts View Profile Close watsea]

I have seen a few articles about coolant loss through the engine where coolant has leaked through the EGR cooler. I understand this can lead to major problems.
Maybe you do some more research about whether that is the issue with your coolant loss. Look to get it checked if necessary.

[ptommo59 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close ptommo59]

Haven't heard of a 2.2L Diesel in a Prado 150 before?

But you might find your answer in this link covering the 2.2L 2AD-FTV engine Toyota AD series diesel engines

At the bottom is a list of all common issues recognised by Toyota in bulletins etc, this includes EG-0119T-1211 "08-AD engine: Engine coolant consumption due to excessive carbon deposits on the pistons" (15.01.2014, piston and ring set), plus there will be the generic things like small cracks in the EGR Cooler internal piping etc but that should have shown up in the pressure/leak test if it was done correctly.

Hope that helps give you a few more options to explore.

[Gary Coffs Coast Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Gary Coffs Coast]

Thanks all for your comments and assistance. Having taken all the easy steps ie checking for leaks when vehicle has been standing, checking carpets, around the fill area for any signs of spray, new radiator cap etc the next step was to check the EGR. Even though the pressure test came back ok the issue is suspected to be a leak inside the EGR so at this stage it has been bypassed so we can test and see if this is the case. I've driven it for a week and so far the fluid level is holding. Will report back in a few weeks.