Hello there, I just went to autobacs to flush coolant and fill 4L of blue coolant.

But i just noticed the reservoir tank is empty.

is this normal before i bust their work shop demanding explanation...?

Some cars are prone to an air lock due to emptying and refilling. As the air works its way to the top the water level will drop. Top up and check level each day before you start the engine.

I've seen on some utube u can bleed the air out by keeping the radiator cap open and start the engine, then wait for all the air bubbles to exit out.

Is this safe to do so?

Just went to autobacs and talked to the dude who flushed filled the coolant yesterday.

I'm not competent in Thai but seems Now he's saying like it's leaking into the engine and need packing? To be changed? Anyone can read the pink slip?

And yesterday he put in blue coolant and now he topped with red as he says OK to mix and more efficient in cooling. He also mentioned to frequently check reservoir level

But I have my doubts as Google says not to mix diff color coolant

If the engine breaks will I be able to make them responsible for the damage? I got receipts that says blue coolant and photo of him topping with red coolant

9 minutes ago, bkkryn said:

Just went to autobacs and talked to the dude who flushed filled the coolant yesterday.

I'm not competent in Thai but seems Now he's saying like it's leaking into the engine and need packing? To be changed? Anyone can read the pink slip?

And yesterday he put in blue coolant and now he topped with red as he says OK to mix and more efficient in cooling. He also mentioned to frequently check reservoir level

But I have my doubts as Google says not to mix diff color coolant

If the engine breaks will I be able to make them responsible for the damage? I got receipts that says blue coolant and photo of him topping with red coolant

They should not be mixing coolant. Totally different fluids. Your temp is too high.

Can you post a closer clearer picture of the pink post it note.

The coolant in my car has been leaking into the combustion chamber for years...I keep a good eye on the coolant level...but one time while my wife was driving the radiator sprang a leak and the engine got so hot that it actually

shuddered to a stop

Lucky the head didn't warp I replaced the radiator and coolant

and the engine still runs great to this day..but does still sip coolant, I'm reluctant to have the top end overhaul done to fix coolant leak as at the moment the engine don't consume any oil..well it must use some but can only be miniscule..

31 minutes ago, bkkryn said:

If the engine breaks will I be able to make them responsible for the damage?

Mixing different coolants is not ideal, though won’t hurt the engine. Ideally you want to use the manufacturer’s coolant or the specified coolant.

33 minutes ago, bkkryn said:

He also mentioned to frequently check reservoir level

Correct, after a coolant change/flush you’ll need to top up the reservoir.

This is what the dude wrote.

I don't wanna be skeptical but I couldnt trust his skill as a mechanic.

5 minutes ago, bkkryn said:

This is what the dude wrote.

I don't wanna be skeptical but I couldnt trust his skill as a mechanic.

You’re way overthinking it. After each drive, pop the hood and fill the reservoir with coolant until the level remains steady after a couple few days. Then check it periodically as normal. The radiator will be fine ss long as it has coolant.

My 'long haired dictionary' is a bit confused but the note seems to sugest changing radiator cap ? ?

Spelling mistakes and lack of past present or future tenses dont help to know if he did it already or sugest to do it.

.

On 5/24/2026 at 9:41 AM, novacova said:

You’re way overthinking it. After each drive, pop the hood and fill the reservoir with coolant until the level remains steady after a couple few days. Then check it periodically as normal. The radiator will be fine ss long as it has coolant.

U were right bout that pal

The reservoir dropped a bit like 200ml the first day but after driving for 2 days, it hasn't dropped since then.

The coolant visible from the radiator hole is transparent pink in color as well

2 minutes ago, bkkryn said:

U were right bout that pal

The reservoir dropped a bit like 200ml the first day but after driving for 2 days, it hasn't dropped since then.

The coolant visible from the radiator hole is transparent pink in color as well

Why did the blue coolant turn pink?

10 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

Why did the blue coolant turn pink?

OP parked at Boyz Town...

Expansion of the coolant when hot can cause an apperent overfil, but it should drop to almost empty when cold. You mechanic is bluffing that he knows what he is doing.

I check mine every day or two, but if it needs topping up, tap water is the stuff I use. 14 years old Vigo, never any heating problems, in fact, no problems whatsoever apart from the usual battery, tyres, wipers, brakes.

3 minutes ago, wil iam not said:

I check mine every day or two, but if it needs topping up, tap water is the stuff I use. 14 years old Vigo, never any heating problems, in fact, no problems whatsoever apart from the usual battery, tyres, wipers, brakes.

You change the coolant level every day or two? How often do you add water?

2 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

You change the coolant level every day or two? How often do you add water?

I only top it up when it looks like it needs it, which is not every day, but I check anyway, together with tyre pressures and oil level, as taught by my father when I got my first car 61 years ago. Never broken down due to any of these, yet.

3 minutes ago, wil iam not said:

I only top it up when it looks like it needs it, which is not every day, but I check anyway, together with tyre pressures and oil level, as taught by my father when I got my first car 61 years ago. Never broken down due to any of these, yet.

How often do you add water, oil and air?

13 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

How often do you add water, oil and air?

Water depends on the outside temperature, but once a month is about right.

I check the oil weekly but it never needs topping up, I leave that to Toyota. I know I pay over the top compared with Cockpit or others, but all I can say is that in 14 years, regular 10,000 km servicing using genuine parts, I have NEVER had any problems.

Tyres are checked by Maxxiss every month or so, mainly because there are two lovely girls work there.

3 minutes ago, wil iam not said:

Water depends on the outside temperature, but once a month is about right.

I check the oil weekly but it never needs topping up, I leave that to Toyota. I know I pay over the top compared with Cockpit or others, but all I can say is that in 14 years, regular 10,000 km servicing using genuine parts, I have NEVER had any problems.

Tyres are checked by Maxxiss every month or so, mainly because there are two lovely girls work there.

Oh, I thought you said you checked the oil, coolant and tires every day or two.

I grew up helping my dad service our cars and checking the oil, water and tires every time we gassed up, but I have not had to add oil or water to a vehicle in well over twenty years and got a bit tired of all the checking. I still check after I have the vehicle serviced, as well as before and during long trips.

I check the tires and air them up every couple weeks, and top off the windshield washer fluid and clean the wiper blades.

7 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

Oh, I thought you said you checked the oil, coolant and tires every day or two.

I grew up helping my dad service our cars and checking the oil, water and tires every time we gassed up, but I have not had to add oil or water to a vehicle in well over twenty years and got a bit tired of all the checking. I still check after I have the vehicle serviced, as well as before and during long trips.

I check the tires and air them up every couple weeks, and top off the windshield washer fluid and clean the wiper blades.

I did say, as you have quoted, that I CHECK the oil, water, tyres etc. Not that I need to top up every time. I fill the windscreen washer when no water comes out of the nozzles. The rain here is so heavy, the wipers seem to clean themselves, but I do give them a wipe when needed.

Edited May 30May 30 by wil iam not

8 hours ago, wil iam not said:

I check mine every day or two, but if it needs topping up, tap water is the stuff I use.

Tap water is a no-no unless it’s been filtered, even then not recommended for modern vehicles with aluminum heads. Use distilled water, minerals and the limestone in the water here ain’t no good for the water pump, radiator and cylinder head.

If you use Toyota genuine Super Long Life Coolant (SLLC, pink) in your 1KD‑FTV, the official intervals are:

• First change: at 160,000 km (~100,000 miles)

• Subsequent changes: every 80,000 km (~50,000 miles)scribd

If you use a standard red long-life coolant (LLC) instead, the interval is much shorter:

• Every 40,000 km (~25,000 miles) or 24 months, whichever comes firstscribd

Practical advice for a 2012 Vigo 3.0 D‑4D:

• If you’re on SLLC and the previous service history is unknown, many owners do a first flush around 100,000–120,000 km, then every 80,000 km after.

• If the vehicle is used hard (towing, off-road, very hot climate, frequent short trips), consider changing coolant earlier than the maximum interval.

• Always inspect coolant every 6 months for level, color, and condition, and top up only with the same type.

This is from Gemini AI. Check every SIX months. Cobblers, I shall stick with weekly as me Dad taught me.

Edited May 30May 30 by wil iam not