Low Coolant Question

[Ian]

This is a question for any mechanics or car enthusiasts out there

I gave our car (09 Fiesta) a once over this morning and noticed that the engine coolant/antifreeze was below the "low" mark on the reservoir by about 1/2cm. I always thought that the orange coolant was supposed to last for a long while, so I was a little surprised by this as the car is about 8 months old.

Does it seem reasonable that the coolant is below the low level because it's such a cold day (-2C), and that I don't actually need to worry about it? I let the engine run for about 5 mins and the level went up to the "low" mark.

We've got about 1000 miles of driving to do in the next week, so I didn't want to take any chances. I had a look at our local shops for coolant, but they didn't have the same type that I need - although I can drive down to Halfords and pick up some of the orange stuff later if needs be.

Just wanted to check, as after 8 months I wouldn't have expected the coolant to be low, so it's probably just because it's freezing outside? No chance of me noticing a leak in this weather

 

[Abarbarian]

This is a question for any mechanics or car enthusiasts out there

I gave our car (09 Fiesta) a once over this morning and noticed that the engine coolant/antifreeze was below the "low" mark on the reservoir by about 1/2cm. I always thought that the orange coolant was supposed to last for a long while, so I was a little surprised by this as the car is about 8 months old.

Does it seem reasonable that the coolant is below the low level because it's such a cold day (-2C), and that I don't actually need to worry about it? I let the engine run for about 5 mins and the level went up to the "low" mark.

We've got about 1000 miles of driving to do in the next week, so I didn't want to take any chances. I had a look at our local shops for coolant, but they didn't have the same type that I need - although I can drive down to Halfords and pick up some of the orange stuff later if needs be.

Just wanted to check, as after 8 months I wouldn't have expected the coolant to be low, so it's probably just because it's freezing outside? No chance of me noticing a leak in this weather

1000 miles !!! Hope you got snow tyres and a couple of reindeer in the boot.

Low level probably due to not being filled up properly. Water expands slightly as it heats up so thats probably why the level rises slightly.

Check the level again before starting and after running. After the engine is warm after a run lift the bonnet and you will see steam if you have a leak.

Sounds ok to me. Just do a couple of checks to see if the level stays the same.

!000 miles

 

[TriplexDread]

Wow thats some visiting your doing over the next few days Ian...

Rather you than me mate. Just here today is bad enough!!

 

[floppybootstomp]

If you've had the car from new and haven't checked the coolant level before it's very likely that the level 'settled' from the system's first fill up, there was probably some trapped air in there.

Do top it up then check the level regularly, say once a month, and if it drops again significantly get the seller to check it out under warranty.

 

[Ian]

Thanks folks

The coolant level has always been fine until today (I check about once a month), but I've never checked it while it's been this cold outside, so don't know if it's normal for the density to change so much. I'll get something to top it up later on today

 

[Anon_F]

As i'm now doing more mileage due to work i check the car fluid levels weekly.
It's normally easy going on engine oil & coolant, but always have spare oil & coolant fluids in the boot just in case and always carry water for the windowscreen washer.

You should check all the levels prior to starting & long journey!

I once blew up a decent working servicable Escort MrkIII engine by not checking the levels weekly!

 

[itsme]

It sounds normal cold weather does funny things with water levels in engines as you check it each month top it up 50/50 [water/anti freeze]

check when cold or luke warm

 

[Urmas]

... because it's such a cold day (-2C)

Ahem... cold... if you say so.

OK, now that I have had my fun... could be that the "cold" [No! -2C° is a tropical winter temperature, dammit!] weather is causing a wee head gasket leak. Keep checking the fluid level from time to time... you could try and tighten the head whilst it's "cold", but it could do more harm than good [the bolts could snap-snap-snap once hot] so, unless the leak gets "drastic"...

-2°C "cold"... now I've seen everything... OK, in June maybe...

 

[Ian]

LOL

Thanks guys, I'll keep an eye on it and see how it goes. I don't think it's anything to worry about, but with all these stories about people sleeping in cars overnight as they have been stuck I didn't want to take any chances

 

[floppybootstomp]

Ahem... cold... if you say so.

OK, now that I have had my fun... could be that the "cold" [No! -2C° is a tropical winter temperature, dammit!] weather is causing a wee head gasket leak. Keep checking the fluid level from time to time... you could try and tighten the head whilst it's "cold", but it could do more harm than good [the bolts could snap-snap-snap once hot] so, unless the leak gets "drastic"...

-2°C "cold"... now I've seen everything... OK, in June maybe...

I did think about this.

Can't figure the UK.

A light dusting of the white stuff and a temperature below 0 degrees centigrade and the whole nation more or less grinds to a halt.

The majority of the UK population pay taxes and Council Tax yet it seems the authorities just bury their heads and hope it just won't snow.

Our coping with bad weather is absymal and fwankly it makes me kwite kwoss and makes me want to stamp my feet and write a letter to The Times.

All Hitler had to do to conquer the UK was invent a snow machine, really, if he'd done that there'd be a swastika flying over the House of Commons

 

[Ian]

The problem is all the infrastructure required to cope with the occasional day of bad snow costs more than the inconvenience of it all going wrong. Finland is geared up to it and everyone knows what to expect.

Most of the problems on the news seem to be about Eurostar, which just seems to be down to a design fault (which I hope is now fixed!).

Out of interest, what could the councils do to improve things? Gritting is the the main thing that springs to mind, as most of the road problems are down to people not used to driving in these conditions (or suitably equipped). I've seen some plonkers driving round the carpark outside, skidding everywhere and slamming on the breaks and bumping into kerbs - so I can only imagine what they will be like on an A road in bad conditions. If we were more used to this weather I think people would take a little more care and understand what to do to prevent/control skids.

Just my take on things anyway

I've got a 6 hour drive tomorrow, which I'm dreading

 

[Abarbarian]

In Sweeden or Finnland every farmer is provided with a snow plough attatchment for the tractor. When it snows the farmers get to work clearing the roads. They get a bit of extra cashwhen they need it most, the councils get a cheap solution, and the public get clear roads. Too easy for our MP's to adopt this idea though, ummmmm much too simple and too cheap.

 

[captain zed]

Getting back to your new car Ian.....the fact you can still see coolant tells me there's no big issues. Coolant swells and shrinks all the time and has a reservoir expansion tank where you top it up. Keep an eye on it while you're travelling if it's niggling at you. If you can stop every 250 miles and let it cool a bit, take a nosey at it.
It's still under warranty too (i'm assuming) so i'd be motoring happily if i were you. Try and enjoy the drive if possible in this weather and take your time too.
I am actually just about to post a link to some free music ya might like whilst driving.

 

[Taffycat]

Wishing you a safe drive today Ian, and hope you and Bex will enjoy a very happy Christmas

 

[Becky]

Thanks for the advice and best wishes everyone!

 

[Urmas]

Finland is geared up to it and everyone knows what to expect.

Yeah, well... it would be silly to do otherwise. Winter & cars: Tekniikan Maailma does an annual "winter car" comparison test. Here's the latest (2009) translated into English:

http://www.skoda.ee/failid/1139.pdf

 

[Quadophile]

For some it may come in handy

Just thought I'd post it here

Link

 

[captain zed]

Yeah, well... it would be silly to do otherwise. Winter & cars: Tekniikan Maailma does an annual "winter car" comparison test. Here's the latest (2009) translated into English:

http://www.skoda.ee/failid/1139.pdf

So it's first place to skoobaru and then the golf.....interestingly enough the new Jag is well up there and it looks hot.....even in the snow.

 

[floppybootstomp]

Subaru's have always been good - favoured vehicle of Texan pipeliners - not a lot of people know that

 

[captain zed]

Betcha michael caine didn't either