Hi all,

On my way home from work today I put the brakes on (as usual) and the coolant light came on flashing and beeping. I drove home as this wasn't too far away and when I got home I checked the coolant straight away visually and it was just below the minimum. I went to look at the manual to see if the coolant was correct for the car (no more than 5 mins). When I went to open the coolant tank the level had risen to max!!! Any reason why this may have happened? The engine was at 90 degrees celsius (usual) . Could it have been down to the fluid settling after the break?

Thanks in anticipation!

Dean

System under pressure and hot, water level will drop, but should return to maximum level when system has cooled down, but this does take time, maybe 15 / 20 minutes !!

Electric fan/ fans should kick-in to reduce temperature, quicker.

You didn't mention water dial temperature reading when light came on, ie 1/2 way is normal, but was it higher than this ??

Edited 9 July, 201015 yr by giandougl

System under pressure and hot, water level will drop, but should return to maximum level when system has cooled down, but this does take time, maybe 15 / 20 minutes !!

Electric fan/ fans should kick-in to reduce temperature, quicker.

You didn't mention water dial temperature reading when light came on, ie 1/2 way is normal, but was it higher than this ??

I think you have that the wrong way round !

The system under pressure and hot will expand but when cool the level will (or should) be at minimum

Radiotwo

Just topped it up a little bit. The temperature hasn't gone over 90 (half way). Checked oil cap for any sign of mayo and perfectly clean. Just going to keep an eye on this but think it may just be a one off (hopefully)!

Dean

same happened to mine yday, just topped it up with coolant.. was worried I had a leak or something..! Im guessing its more actually the silly hot weather lately..

I think you have that the wrong way round !

The system under pressure and hot will expand but when cool the level will (or should) be at minimum

Radiotwo

When would you place fluid in to reach maximum level ??? bearing in mind your idea??

Edited 11 July, 201015 yr by giandougl

Right quick update. Driving to work today and the light came on again! Again checked the coolant and it had gone down, now there was a little excess fluid around the expansion tank! When the bonnet is up and the engine is on you can hear a slight hissing from the tank (I think), could this be the airtight seal has gone? The cap was on fully so could it be that? Or would I have to buy a whole expansion tank, and how much are they? I checked the oil and the oil filler cap and it shows no sign of entering the engine (phew)!

Looking forward to replies in anticipation,

Dean

When would you place fluid in to reach maximum level ??? bearing in mind your idea??

You should onlt top up when cold to the MIN level, then when hot it will expand to the MAX level

Radiotwo

You should onlt top up when cold to the MIN level, then when hot it will expand to the MAX level

Radiotwo

Thats good but it doesn't answer my question.... :wonder:

Any help is welcome guys! (problem related) :yes:

Thats good but it doesn't answer my question.... :wonder:

Any help is welcome guys! (problem related) :yes:

I was answering the previous post !

New expansion tank cap needed, or better still replace the tank and cap. Only £14 from a dealer for both parts.

Right quick update. Driving to work today and the light came on again! Again checked the coolant and it had gone down, now there was a little excess fluid around the expansion tank! When the bonnet is up and the engine is on you can hear a slight hissing from the tank (I think), could this be the airtight seal has gone?

Most certainly sysyem has an airleak (hissing sound), and with coolant leak visible, confirms area to look at, as previous member has quoted.

Once area has been repaired or part replaced, top-up with same coolant already in cooling system, pink stuff would be G12 longlife coolant.

Good-luck.