Very quick question re: Coolant level & expansion tank..

[Jim 2]

Hi Guys..

 

Just popped my bonnet to give the engine a check over before driving to Tatton tomorrow and couldn't help but notice that the coolant in the expansion tank is about 3/4 of an inch below the MIN level of the expansion tank.

 

The car has been stood for about 4 hours this afternoon so its not warmed up or anything.

 

Just want to be sure this is suitable before embarking on a 200 mileish round trip!

 

Ta.

[VR6 0]

Sure it'll be fine mate.

 

Just top it up and keep an eye on it. The level will change quite a lot in different conditions.

 

Do you need to top it up regularly?

[Jim 2]

Haven't had to since having it serviced a few months back.

 

The annoying thing is I can't remeber if the coolant has always been at that level or not.

 

I certainly don't experience any problems with the car running too hot or anything, even in conditions we are currently experiencing.

[VR6 0]

Doesn't sound too bad. You will usually lose water from somewhere even though it's meant to be a closed system!

 

Supposing there are no obvious leaks, try replacing the expansion tank/cap.

[Kevin Bacon 5]

Check the head coolant elbow and the water pump for signs on blue/green powdery deposits. You might have a very small seep under pressure.

[Jim 2]

Well both of the points on the head (front and side) where coolant goes through the engine were replaced at that service by Stealth - got new flanges, gaskets, temp senders, etc etc all round - i'll have a squint around by the water pump see if I can see any coolant residue though.

[Supercharged 2]

Yeah, just top it up and then turn the engine on and let it idle for a bit, thats when the cooling system will be under the most strain as there is no air going through the rad, then have a look for white deposits around pipes, seals etc.. mine is still leaking from that plastic sender housing but not very much at all, I've only topped it up once and I will change it later this month..

 

Yours probably coming is the water pump seals if its never been changed, mine was starting to go at 90k, you'll need to get underneath the car to have a look, if it is that then you have the ideal oppotunitty to get it changed while the charger is being done! - Just don't go silly and buy any Samco Hoses :wink: :roll:

[Henny 0]

Top it up before you set off and I'll have a quick look at it at Tatton with you to make sure she's OK... I'll have my standard tool kit with me to make sure mine keeps running which includes a couple of litres of G12+ and some water, so don't worry about it too much! ;) :lol: 8)

 

There's no reason to think you have a leak after the RR session, so even if you have a slight leak, 200 miles ain't gonna kill her... :)

[Jim 2]

Thanks for the offer Henny but I couldn't bare the thought of a 6am start so didn't get up in time to get to Tatton :(

 

What colour should G12+ be by the way - the liquid in my expansion tank is a kinda brown colour. Now Stealth must have flushed the coolant when they serviced my car for the reasons mentioned above, but the coolant has been that colour since I picked it up as I checked it when I got home.

 

*edit*

 

Having checked the coolant colour guide I am a little confused, as none of the G11/G12/G12+ coolants match that colour. Eep.

[VR6 0]

Isn't it when G11 and G12 they give a browny coloured mixture?

 

I'm just saying that it's probably difficult to entirely flush a system so there may have still been traces of G11 left in the system.

[vr6storm 0]

Isn't it when G11 and G12 they give a browny coloured mixture?

 

I'm just saying that it's probably difficult to entirely flush a system so there may have still been traces of G11 left in the system.

 

is it not a sign of corrosion in the coolant system when it goes brown-ish :shock: :?: ....

[kongo127 0]

Isn't it when G11 and G12 they give a browny coloured mixture?

 

I'm just saying that it's probably difficult to entirely flush a system so there may have still been traces of G11 left in the system.

 

is it not a sign of corrosion in the coolant system when it goes brown-ish :shock: :?: ....

 

Yeah i do think so! :shock: :wink:

[Jim 2]

Isn't it when G11 and G12 they give a browny coloured mixture?

 

I'm just saying that it's probably difficult to entirely flush a system so there may have still been traces of G11 left in the system.

 

is it not a sign of corrosion in the coolant system when it goes brown-ish :shock: :?: ....

 

Well I thought that would be a gradual thing, not an 'immediately after the service' kinda thing?

 

As I say, I drove the car home and lifted the bonnet expecting to see the coolant a nice pink colour and saw it was still the same kinda dark brown so I was a little confused. I think i'm actually gonna check my reciept and see if Stealth did do the coolant now cause maybe they just overlooked it and just did a top up.

 

*edit*

 

Hm.. says 1.5 units of coolant on the reciept at a cost of £4.19....

[Jim 2]

Ah panic over.

 

Its just the colour of the expansion tank throwing me. I opened the lid a second ago and peered inside - a nice bluey green colour G11 residing inside :)

[kongo127 0]

Glad to hear it Jim! :)

What a relief! 8)

[vr6storm 0]

Ah panic over.

 

Its just the colour of the expansion tank throwing me. I opened the lid a second ago and peered inside - a nice bluey green colour G11 residing inside :)

 

ah well time to save up the pennies and buy a new clear reservoir :wink:

[Henny 0]

buy a genuine VAG one, not a cheapo Euro or GSF special as they are pants in comparison to the genuine ones and WILL split much easier than genuine ones... (trust me on this... I know this from experience of BOTH... :( )