Overflow Bottle

[SoCalDMC12]

Curious: when cold, as in "sitting for days cold", how much coolant should be able n the overflow bottle? Just checked mine and there's very little in there, but she's not running hot. Basically max'ing out at the 1st mark on the temp gauge.

[WHO1DMC]

To the top of the large hose connection.

Dave B.

[SoCalDMC12]

To the top of the large hose connection.

Dave B.

Thanks, that's kinda sorta what I thought. Added a bit of coolant... will observe for a while. Thanks !

[David T]

That is not actually an "overflow bottle". It is a header tank. It should be 1/2 full cold. An "overflow bottle" would be a container connected by a hose to the nipple under the radiator cap. If you have one connected then you would keep the header tank full when cold and the overflow bottle filled to the "cold" line.

[SoCalDMC12]

Well, refilled the reservoir, let it run until the fan cycl d on/off A couple of times, then let it cool down. No signs of leaks or coolant smell. Cautiously optimistic.

[Josh]

If you overfill it cold you will know as it will bleed it out of the overflow line when the car is at operating tempurature.

This is assuming your cooling system is in good working order.