Supra Low Coolant Issue

Hello, I have a 2002 Toyota SupraIV with a gasoline engine. Recently, the check engine light illuminated, and upon inspection, there was an error stored related to low coolant level. The mileage is at 43875 km. I checked the coolant reservoir and confirmed it was indeed low. I haven't noticed any leaks, though. What could be the cause?

4 comment(s)

Low coolant in a Supra? Hmm. I had a similar issue with my old Volvo V70, but the symptoms were more dramatic - overheating and steam! First, check the radiator cap. If it's not sealing correctly, coolant can evaporate. Also, give your cooling fan a look; make sure it's kicking on when the engine gets hot. Ever checked the water pump? Any milky residue under the oil cap?

Thanks for the suggestions. I will check the radiator cap and cooling fan. How would I go about checking the water pump? And what does milky residue indicate, head gasket failure?

The water pump is a pain to check properly without taking things apart, you're mainly looking for leaks around the pump housing. Some people listen for unusual noises, too, but that's not reliable. Yes, milky residue is a sign of coolant mixing with oil, which is often a head gasket issue. Given the error code and low coolant, I'd honestly suggest taking it to a workshop. They can pressure test the system and properly diagnose it. Could be a simple fix, or something more involved. Better safe than sorry!

Okay, thanks for the advice. I appreciate the help. I took the Supra to a workshop as you suggested. Turns out it was just a faulty coolant reservoir cap, causing slow evaporation over time. Replaced it for 52€. Everything seems fine now.

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