Changing coolant...help!!

MarthaMyDear

Hey,

I have my first car and am completely clueless when it comes to general upkeep of them I know how to check my oil etc but it was pointed out by a friend the other day that my coolant is nearly empty. They pointed out a container under the bonnet that has a screw cap and there's only a small amount of liquid in it. My car didn't come with a manual so I'm lost. I bought some cheap coolant but I don't know if I can just pour it in on top of the liquid already in there

Sorry if I sound like a bimbo, I just haven't got a clue with cars! It's a nissan micra 1999.

guil

There is two different types of coolant so don't put any in until you find out the correct type, topping it up with water will be fine in the short term

MarthaMyDear

Thanks

coylemj

Your friend is scaremongering, what you can see in the tank is only a tiny part of the liquid which is used to cool the engine. The vast majority of the fluid is in the radiator and the space surrounding the engine block.

Open the cap on the tank when the engine is cold, can you see a sensor device immersed in the liquid? If you can then that that is there to detect when the level drops below the minimum at which point it will trigger a warning light on the dash. If there is a sensor and no warning light on the dash, you don't have anything to worry about.

If there is no sensor, see if there is a line on the tank (visible externally) showing the minimum level. As long as the coolant is above this line you're ok and if it's only a small amount below the line, you can top it up with plain water. If adding water, only add the bare amount required to bring it above the minimum because you will be diluting the coolant and effectively raising the freezing point to closer to 0 C than where it is at the moment, assuming there is antifreeze in it.

Ronnie Beck

Careful now! There is a few reservoirs under the bonnet for brake fluid, windscreen washer and the likes.

coylemj

Here's one for sale on eBay, the OP's should be the same type and shape...

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-NISSAN-MICRA-K11-1992-TO-2002-COOLANT-EXPANSION-TANK-BOTTLE-/330846444950?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&fits=Car+Make%3ANissan|Model%3AMicra&hash=item4d07fc1d96

Mar4ix

i was working on micra, you may read - here in our thread

Coolant container located -


:pac:

sorry , my drawing skills isnt excellent :P


EDIT: i think you wont miss it, it is only container beside battery .

biko

That's the expansion tank, it's only supposed to be 30% full or so (you can see the MIN/MAX markings on the side of it if you look.

The radiator cap in this pic has a yellow label.
Open yellow radiator cap when car is cold and fill coolant to top. Any coolant will do.
The car is from 1999 so it won't matter much.
Ask the local garage assistant for coolant for a car, they will show you what to get.

MarthaMyDear

Thanks a million for all the replies! From what I remember there was a min/max marking on the container and it was where the picture is pointing! I'll double check tomorrow to see what level it's at.

Thanks again, I really appreciate the help.

coylemj

If it's between Min and Max, the best course of action is to do nothing.