Evening all.

 

This afternoon I was under the bonnet topping up the screen wash before I set off on a long commute and noticed the coolant was roughly 5-10mm below the min marker on the expansion tank.

 

Last week the car was in with a main dealer for it’s 5 year Service which included the cambelt and waterpump etc.

 

I’ve done a couple of hundred miles of motorway driving since and I had noted the coolant level was correct at the time I collected the car.

 

As I didn’t have any coolant to hand I’ve had to pick some up from Skoda on the commute however with the engine now being hot I don’t really want to top it up. The level is on the min marker with the engine up to temp.

 

I’m guessing this will be down to an airlock created during the maintenance having cleared itself and will just require a top up and monitor.

 

Is there anything else I should look out for in the meantime?

 

There are no signs of overheating and the low level warning hasn’t come on.

 

Thanks in advance.

Edited 21 February, 20224 yr by CookieMonster87

The level will drop when the car is hot, remove the cap when the car is stone cold and this is when you should check the level. And of course, be parked on level ground.

3 hours ago, ApertureS said:

The level will drop when the car is hot, remove the cap when the car is stone cold and this is when you should check the level. And of course, be parked on level ground.

Wouldn’t the coolant level rise when hot and drop when cold?

 

As suggested, will leave the car until morning when cold and check/top the level up then.

Will most likely mark the tank to make sure there aren’t any further losses over the next week or so but I’m fairly certain it’s just an airlock after the service (he says hopefully).

8 hours ago, CookieMonster87 said:

Wouldn’t the coolant level rise when hot and drop when cold?

 

As suggested, will leave the car until morning when cold and check/top the level up then.

Will most likely mark the tank to make sure there aren’t any further losses over the next week or so but I’m fairly certain it’s just an airlock after the service (he says hopefully).

Boiling water will expand when heated in open air yes.

But because it’s a sealed system the pressure of the air expanding in the expansion bottle will also force the level downwards so it will look lower, but it isnt

It will not be the first time that a brand new pump is leaking. Monitor the level and if you notice drop, report to dealer.

I don't know what I am missing here but mine is raised when engine is hot and drops when cold. I also noticed a small loss of coolant  but untraceable after my belt was changed , I have to top up after two months or so, I am doing 0ver 500 miles a month 

Stop adding coolant, if you have a low level alarm after couple of days, you have a leak.

10 minutes ago, FrankLK said:

Stop adding coolant, if you have a low level alarm after couple of days, you have a leak.

I’m not going to drive around with low coolant or until the low level warning comes on.

 

I’ve topped it up once and marked the tank. If it drops again I know I have a leak.

Ok, that's also a way😁