Q: Leaking coolant no signs of leak anywhere 2006 Scion tC

asked by on January 28, 2017

i am leaking coolant from somewhere have to add to radiator after every trip but reservoir stays full. checked all hoses they are fine, oil is clear not milky, no residue anywhere that i can see. new thermostat. heat works great when driving goes cold when idling, passenger carpet dry and no smoke out of vents, or white residue on windshield. car runs fine when driving doesn't feel like it is misfiring.

My car has 118000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Coolant is leaking Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

Hi - this problem sounds a bit more challenging as you have done all the logical things - well done! Remaining possibilities include coolant leaking into the exhaust (cracked cylinder head) which would give you white smoke with a sweet smell out of the exhaust. The remaining choice is a very small leak that is drying before it drips. It will leave a trace over time, but may take a while. A small leak like this can be discovered by adding an ultraviolet dye to the coolant, let it circulate enough to become thoroughly mixed with the coolant, then use a black light to help discover where it’s leaking. I recommend acoolant leak inspection performed by a mobile, professional mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, who will come to your location, diagnose this problem, give you an accurate assessment of damage and cost estimate for repairs.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Emission control leak.
This code may be caused by the canister purge solenoid is leaking or you did not tighten the gas cap. Either way the leak should be cleared first and do a physical inspection of the fuel system. Then to check...
Hard clunk noise shifting/downshifting in 2nd & 3rd
Hello there, thank you for asking about your 2006 GMC Sierra 1500HD. Since you say it only happens when shifting between 2nd and 3rd, my guess is that the noise is internal to the transmission. A faulty shift solenoid could...
The clock in the car and light on the passenger airbag light
Hi there. Most of the time, the dimming and brightness of the dashboard lights (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-repair-dashboard-lights-by-rocco-lovetere) are controlled by a switch on the vehicle's instrument panel or under the dash near the fuse box. In some cases, this dimming switch may...
Ign sw fuse keeps blowing
Hello, thank you for writing in. You were right to look for a short in the system, but there are other causes for excess power in a system. The ignition switch itself pulls power from the charging system and the...
if my radio is broken will i be able to still receive my gps signal?
Hello. Yes you should be able to still receive signal to your GPS even though the radio is not working. The radio and the GPS a Use two separate software systems but do however still operate hand in hand. Unless...
Having starting issues on my 2012 Chevy Malibu 2LT.
Hello. Your particular make and model does not have a serviceable fuel filter. The fuel filter it has is on to the bottom of the fuel pump, known as the fuel strainer. To replace the fuel filter the fuel pump...
There's moisture around the oil pan gasket
There are three classes of oil leaks. Class 1 is evidence or oil but not active drips or leaks. Class 2 is evidence of oil drip forming but no active drips in 5 minutes. Class 3 leak is an active...
My battery is brand new but my car won't start. I tried hitting the starter with a hammer and nothing changed. My car is turning o
Just by pouring Coke on cables do not clean the cables enough to get good voltage to the starter. I suggest you have the cables and clamps cleaned properly and if still will not crank then have the new battery...
I accidently hit the bottom of my car and now when I start it up the idle is at 4k. The gears shift horribly...what needs to be do
Unless the faulty operation, that is the high idle, is a coincidence, something on the vehicle was damaged when you ran over the obstacle. That something will be identified during an inspection. As far as your question about whether it...

Related articles

Can a Loose Gas Cap Let Gas Leak Out of the Fuel Tank?
The The short answer is: yes ... kind of. What escapes out of a loose or faulty gas cap is gas vapor. Gas vapor rises off of the pool of gasoline in the tank and hangs around in the air....
The Best Used Cars to Buy for College Students
You’ve You’ve done it – high school is officially behind you. Now it’s time to head off to a brand new world. College is that and more and you may need a car during your pursuit of a higher education....
Is it Safe to Drive With an EVAP Leak?
While it is safe to drive with an EVAP system leak, it causes excess car pollution. Fixing the problem is often as simple as tightening the gas cap.