Coolant

Umpalumpa

Hey
Got a warning light and my coolant level was low/none.
Will any coolant do my car. Someone said I need either red or blue coolant but I've no idea what's in the car now. I think the coolant is practically empty
2005 avensis petrol

Austmcc

Umpalumpa wrote: »

Hey
Got a warning light and my coolant level was low/none.
Will any coolant do my car. Someone said I need either red or blue coolant but I've no idea what's in the car now. I think the coolant is practically empty
2005 avensis petrol

No definitely not any coolant. Check your manual and it will tell you what grade of coolant. Do not just use colour either. It used to be an easy way to tell different grades and types apart but there are exceptions. Also you shouldn't mix coolant that aren't compatible. They can react and form sludge and do in the whole system.

You can also check your reg on eurocar parts or micks garage which may give you an idea of which coolant to use. Don't use the halfords one. It has given me terrible coolant suggestions cause of their limited range on offer.


A second point is that you have a coolant leak. It's a sealed (and pressurized) system. If you're losing coolant you have an issue. There could just be a small leak in pipes or water pump or thermostat are common issues etc. When you top up, keep an eye on it daily to see how fast the leak is. But you'll need to sort out the issue before it gets worse and your engine goes pop.

A note to make is only open the expansion tank to top up when the engine is cold. Its pressurised when the engine is on and the last thing you want is coolant shooting all over you and your engine, particularly when it's hot.

Austmcc

Also, when you say low or none, is there any at all in the expansion tank? You don't wanna top up and cause an air lock. Do not run the engine if theres none in the expansion tank.

Umpalumpa

Austmcc wrote: »

Also, when you say low or none, is there any at all in the expansion tank? You don't wanna top up and cause an air lock. Do not run the engine if theres none in the expansion tank.

Can't see any in it at all

Austmcc

Umpalumpa wrote: »

Can't see any in it at all

Would seem like theres a serious leak or problem. If its lost the few 100mlmfrom the expansion tank then it's a slow long running problem or one serious big problem.

Regardless don't run the car. If you're absolutely stuck you can throw in some distilled water to get it to a mechanic. But you'll then need to find out what the issue is, sort it and flush and refill the system.

If your lucky itll be something along the lines of water pump leak, or near the thermostat or expansion tank itself, or a cracked pipe.

Umpalumpa

Austmcc wrote: »

Would seem like theres a serious leak or problem. If its lost the few 100mlmfrom the expansion tank then it's a slow long running problem or one serious big problem.

Regardless don't run the car. If you're absolutely stuck you can throw in some distilled water to get it to a mechanic. But you'll then need to find out what the issue is, sort it and flush and refill the system.

If your lucky itll be something along the lines of water pump leak, or near the thermostat or expansion tank itself, or a cracked pipe.

Thanks for your advice, rang my mechanic and he said put some water in the radiator and then put the coolant in. Put some more in the bottle and ran the engine for a couple of min. Engine light went off so seems to be OK. I'll check in a few hours incase there is a leak

Asmodean

I had a similar problem before with my qashqai. Only noticed the expansion tank was low when I started having trouble with aircon running cold. Had a tiny split in one of the heater core hoses.

Austmcc

Umpalumpa wrote: »

Thanks for your advice, rang my mechanic and he said put some water in the radiator and then put the coolant in. Put some more in the bottle and ran the engine for a couple of min. Engine light went off so seems to be OK. I'll check in a few hours incase there is a leak

Sure, no worries. Follow a mechanics advice, I'm just a hobbyist I guess you'd call it. The coolant light usually is only linked to levels. So along as the sensors in the expansion tank are in a liquid the light will stay off. All this to say, view the light like a fuel light. Itll tell youbthees stuff there but that's it not quality or correctness.

Keep an eye on temperatures when your driving also

Umpalumpa

Austmcc wrote: »

Sure, no worries. Follow a mechanics advice, I'm just a hobbyist I guess you'd call it. The coolant light usually is only linked to levels. So along as the sensors in the expansion tank are in a liquid the light will stay off. All this to say, view the light like a fuel light. Itll tell youbthees stuff there but that's it not quality or correctness.

Keep an eye on temperatures when your driving also

Yep I'll watch the temp. Have the car in with the mechanic on thúr for a something else so I'll get him to give it a once over