Coolant Level- How full?

[alexwolf1216]

How full should the overflow tank be? My level seems low, its sitting right at the top of the lower hose, but the car is cooling.

30307

[Bitsyncmaster]

I keep it a little above half full. It will still cool if a little low but you can not bleed at the thermostat cover on a cold engine if it is to low.

[Dangermouse]

I keep mine half full too.

Or possibly it keeps itself half full :) if I over fill.

[alexwolf1216]

I gues my last thought, after I woke up, is that it may be still pulling coolant into the system. I did lose a lot during the process and it only took a gallon and a half. I dont see any leaks, but my garage floor is all nasty from the spills so if they dried then I wouldnt be able to tell anyway.

[NightFlyer]

As it's impossible to overfill the system because it will naturally purge out anything it doesn't want, I'd completely fill the bottle and then take the car for a decent drive. By the time you get back, it will have established the level that it likes to keep in the bottle for you. Just make sure that you have the purge/overflow hose directed onto the ground as opposed to the alternator or exhaust.

[Dangermouse]

assuming that you know that your coolant cap is operating correctly.............

[alexwolf1216]

assuming that you know that your coolant cap is operating correctly.............

Yes, just replaced it with the bottle.

[David T]

Yes, just replaced it with the bottle.

The correct answer is 1/2 full when the car is level and cold.

[alexwolf1216]

Got home tonight and filled it up. Ran the car for around 15 mins and it spit from the overflow back to the same level as the photo above. What in the world could cause that?

[Bitsyncmaster]

Got home tonight and filled it up. Ran the car for around 15 mins and it spit from the overflow back to the same level as the photo above. What in the world could cause that?

First thing to try is another coolant cap.

[NightFlyer]

First thing to try is another coolant cap.

+1


Got home tonight and filled it up. Ran the car for around 15 mins and it spit from the overflow back to the same level as the photo above. What in the world could cause that?

Answer is improper system pressurization caused by a defective or improperly installed cap.

I've notice many threads wherein the take-away from them is that it's somewhat difficult to properly install the caps on some of the aftermarket metal header bottles. Not sure if it's a phenomena limited to a particular vendor's product, but such a problem has given many owners a headache. The problem appears to be the inability of certain caps to form an effective seal against the neck's flange, and without a good seal there, the system is never going to be able to properly pressurize as it should.

One 'fix' (if you can call it that), where not even a new cap would rectify the problem, that some have reported successfully using is to double up the rubber gasket contained within the cap, but a better solution would be to remove the existing gasket and install a custom cut slightly thicker gasket into the cap. But be careful here, as you can't change the seating height of the cap too much, otherwise the spring loaded plate on the cap will reach the overflow/purge opening early and not allow the system to reach proper pressurization. On a properly working cooling system that keeps coolant temps where they should be, the height of the cap isn't as critical as on a system that's not working as efficiently. Thus, if your system is otherwise working great, then it's OK to sacrifice a pound or two of pressurization in order to get a good seal between the neck flange and cap.

Luckily, I don't have to worry about the quirks with the stupid aftermarket metal header bottles, as I'm still running my stock/OEM plastic bottle, which has NEVER had an issue with the stock/OEM cap :biggrin:

[Rich]

First thing to try is another coolant cap.

To be specific, try another cap rated at 15PSI per the car's specs.

What is the pressure rating on your current/old cap?

[Rich]

The other major reason it would go that low is, of course, a significant leak somewhere.

The leak theory may not apply if you are telling us that the tank level goes that low and then stays there for weeks and weeks of driving. Have you told us that? Maybe I missed it somewhere.

[NightFlyer]

The other major reason it would go that low is, of course, a significant leak somewhere.

The leak theory may not apply if you are telling us that the tank level goes that low and then stays there for weeks and weeks of driving. Have you told us that? Maybe I missed it somewhere.

That's a good point.

I didn't mention it as I had presumed that Alex would have informed us of any noticeable leaks.

But then again, a major leak could include a head gasket leak that's allowing the coolant to infiltrate the combustion chamber of the cylinder(s), which are then burning up the coolant together with fuel and pushing it out the exhaust. Of course, this is a worst case doomsday scenario, and unless you're noticing steam coming from the exhaust while driving, then it probably isn't happening in this case.

[alexwolf1216]

That's a good point.

I didn't mention it as I had presumed that Alex would have informed us of any noticeable leaks.

But then again, a major leak could include a head gasket leak that's allowing the coolant to infiltrate the combustion chamber of the cylinder(s), which are then burning up the coolant together with fuel and pushing it out the exhaust. Of course, this is a worst case doomsday scenario, and unless you're noticing steam coming from the exhaust while driving, then it probably isn't happening in this case.

No, no major leaks. I thought I had one under the center of the car, but it was the drain hose spilling onto the frame and it was running down :histerical1:

This is a new bottle and cap from DPI. I only ran the car for about 20 minutes tonight but there is still a lot of coolant in the bottle. Fingers crossed it just needed more in the system. I may take it to work tomorrow depending on how late of a start I get and see how I do.

[alexwolf1216]

The other major reason it would go that low is, of course, a significant leak somewhere.

The leak theory may not apply if you are telling us that the tank level goes that low and then stays there for weeks and weeks of driving. Have you told us that? Maybe I missed it somewhere.

Also, this is day 2 of multiple new components. Radiator, coolant bottle, cap, several hoses, fans and DMCNW's self bleeding system. Could be the system working the bugs out?

[NightFlyer]

I only ran the car for about 20 minutes tonight but there is still a lot of coolant in the bottle. Fingers crossed it just needed more in the system. I may take it to work tomorrow depending on how late of a start I get and see how I do.


Could be the system working the bugs out?

Absolutely - and yes, you really need to take the car on a good drive (40 minutes plus) to allow the system to fully and completely equalize.

The important thing is the engine temp - so long as that stays right around the second mark on the dash gauge, you've nothing to worry about.

Best luck :thumbup:

[David T]

Absolutely - and yes, you really need to take the car on a good drive (40 minutes plus) to allow the system to fully and completely equalize.

The important thing is the engine temp - so long as that stays right around the second mark on the dash gauge, you've nothing to worry about.

Best luck :thumbup:

If you keep blowing out coolant the possible causes are:
Too much
Bad pressure cap
Air trapped in the system
Head gasket leak allowing combustion pressure to get into cooling system
Overheating

Rebleed the system and fill to proper level.

[djdogbone]

Have you checked your oil to make sure there is no coolant getting in? Pull the dip stick and check it. Make sure the oil is not foggy or milky.

[alexwolf1216]

Have you checked your oil to make sure there is no coolant getting in? Pull the dip stick and check it. Make sure the oil is not foggy or milky.

Yea its clear. I brought the car to work today, so ill check the level when i leave at 4:30

[NightFlyer]

Yea its clear. I brought the car to work today, so ill check the level when i leave at 4:30

Until you get a good 30 miles on the car after a coolant refill, you should always be checking the header bottle after each drive and topping it off as necessary. Even though you manually purged the system, the system will still be purging itself via the header bottle until it reaches saturation, and thus wanting to draw new coolant from the bottle into the system. After that, it will establish it's equilibrium level of coolant in the header bottle. Only at such a point should you rest assured that the system is now completely full.

Because I'm paranoid about overheating my engine, I check it after every drive, as it doesn't take but a few seconds.

Thus, don't fret it and keep watching and refilling until you have a couple more trips under your belt.

Remember, the engine temp is the important part in all this :biggrin:

[alexwolf1216]

It didnt even break 190 until I pulled into work, roughly 40 mins after I left.

[NightFlyer]

It didnt even break 190 until I pulled into work, roughly 40 mins after I left.

That's exactly where you want it :thumbup:

[DMCMW Dave]

Because I'm paranoid about overheating my engine, I check it after every drive, as it doesn't take but a few seconds.

:

Good way to burn yourself. Better to check it before every drive.

[David T]

Good way to burn yourself. Better to check it before every drive.

If you are not leaking and the level isn't changing you should do ALL of your owner checks once a week BEFORE you drive the car and before any long trip. I realize for many people that may seem excessive but it should be done at least once a month and before any long drive. Owner checks include:

Tire pressures (don't forget the spare!) Look at the tires for lumps and bumps and nails
Motor oil level and quality meaning how much and what does it look like, it should not look like a milkshake!
Coolant level and color
Glass (no cracks or chips)
Wiper blades (change if old)
Lights (replace any burnt ones)
It is basically an automotive equivalent of an airplane preflight. Better to find a problem BEFORE you leave.

[alexwolf1216]

So it looks like it just needed to take more coolant into the system. I refilled the bottle before I left home and drove 12 miles, 30 minutes to work. At lunch I drove 2.5 miles over 15 minutes, then 2.5 miles over 8 minutes back. After work I went to a comic con meeting, 5.6 miles 20 minutes. Then I drove home 18 miles over 30 minutes. The temp crept up right over 190 with AC on max fan speed 3 the entire time. I checked the coolant level this morning and the bottle was almost full. I think we have a winner!