Coolant level low

[SO16_Saint]

This message has just popped up on the display (60 Plate Insignia, 58500 miles). A couple of basic questions.

Is it his normal? I've read that coolant should never need topping up?

Could there be a problem?

 

 

[StDunko]

You may have a pin hole in a coolant pipe, thus loosing some coolant when the engne is hot and there is pressure in the system.

 

Is there a visable expansion tank under the bonnet with min and max marks on it?

 

Any sign of leakage, or a fine mist near a rubber pipe when the engine is hot and running?

[SO16_Saint]

You may have a pin hole in a coolant pipe, thus loosing some coolant when the engne is hot and there is pressure in the system.

 

Is there a visable expansion tank under the bonnet with min and max marks on it?

 

Any sign of leakage, or a fine mist near a rubber pipe when the engine is hot and running?

 

Thanks for the reply.

 

No, not seen any mist or steam or anything like that.

 

By expansion tank, is that the same place as where the water goes (the water is red, so assume i need to get red coolant?).

[mcjwills]

First off top the water up when the engine is cold. If you are only a little low a kettle full of cold water should get the level above the sensor. If you are unsure after that take it to a local garage for advice.

[SO16_Saint]

OK - so I topped up the coolant at the beginning of lunch today - it was quite low to be honest.

 

I drove to the garage, washed the car, drove back and on the way back the coolant low warning came on again. I checked under the bonnet, and yep, the level was low again.

 

I topped back up with water again, and as yet it hasn't gone down - albeit the car hasnt been running, so I guess the acid test will be when it gets used again.

 

This doesnt sound great to me, and I'm very much a novice...

[ChudSaint]

Had a similar issue a few weeks back, turned out there was a split in the pipe feeding the radiator feeding coolant to the radio somewhere on my Peugeot 807 causing the loss of coolant.

 

Ended up costing best part of £200 to sort at garage.

 

Can't be anymore technical than that cos I'm no car buff but the symptoms were identical..

[sussexsaint]

I had a problem with a coolant light that kept coming on but it was a dodgy sensor in the coolant tank.

 

I figured if the levels were 'normal' and I kept an eye on them and the engine temperatures was always normal then there wasn't much else to be done - the light stayed on for 2 years without any issues, if your levels are changing there is a leak somewhere but lights don't always mean an actual problem

[SO16_Saint]

This is probably a really stupid question, but the coolant goes in the water where the water goes, right?

 

cos the Mrs had just driven it from Ower to Whiteley and the message came on again.

[Bearsy]

coolant is water, bro. The tint stuff is antifreeze + yeah it goes in same hole. You can buy it already mixed up (water + antifreeze) or you can buy the antifreeze neat + supply ur own water

 

You deffo have leak in ur rad system + need to go garage. If ur not careful you'll end up overheating engine.

 

Edit: Sorry, should mention that I don't really know what I'm talking about, the above is just what I decided when I had same prob last year. I also learned about not taking the cap off when the engine is hot. I learned that hard way

Edited 3 December, 2014 by Bearsy

[mcjwills]

Have a look under the oil filler cap and see if there is a milky white substance inside the cap and inside the engine. If there is go to the garage straight away.

[Whitey Grandad]

Have a look under the oil filler cap and see if there is a milky white substance inside the cap and inside the engine. If there is go to the garage straight away.

 

Are you thinking of a blown head gasket?

 

Normally any coolant leak is fairly obvious because of the colour but if there are no obvious signs then it must be going somewhere.

[SO16_Saint]

Have a look under the oil filler cap and see if there is a milky white substance inside the cap and inside the engine. If there is go to the garage straight away.

Yeah looked for that earlier, and nothing.

[mcjwills]

Go to the garage and get a pressure check done on the coolant system.

[mcjwills]

Also get them to do a check on cylinders just in case of head gasket, as Whitley says the water is going somewhere and from experience the head gasket going can cause other issues that cost thousands.

[SO16_Saint]

 

 

so there definitely something a miss

[SO16_Saint]

okay so an update.

 

took it to Halfords Autocentre and had it looked at.

 

turns out the water pump failed which resulted in the water coming out of an escape valve under pressure.

 

end result being new water pump and Aux belt repaired under warranty costing £61; £50 of which was the excess.

 

All in all a good result

Edited 4 December, 2014 by SO16_Saint

[Whitey Grandad]

okay so an update.

 

took it to Halfords Autocentre and had it looked at.

 

turns out the water pump failed which resulted in the water coming out of an escape valve under pressure.

 

end result being new water pump and Aux belt repaired under warranty costing £61; £50 of which was the excess.

 

All in all a good result

 

Well done. The last thing you want is problems with the winter coming up.