Coolant - system near minimum!!!

[Faceman]

Hi,

Filled up my screenwash bottle today, and noticed that my header tank has minimun and maximum marks. The coolent is above the minimum mark and I wondered what to do.

Can I just add half a litre of filtered tap water, or a bottle of still water? or do I need to add some special chemicals or something?

Sorry for the stupid question, but i really dont have any mechanical knowledge... i was really impressed with myself when I managed to swap my indicator bulbs for the silver ones. Thats my extent of knowledge :-(

Thanks for the help,

face

 

[KDF]

Normal water will do, but you could put anti-freeze/summer coolant in aswell as it acts as an anti rust agent too, make sure you get the mixture right though.

 

[GR7]

Quote: Originally posted by _KDF on 26 January 2003

Normal water will do, but you could put anti-freeze/summer coolant in aswell as it acts as an anti rust agent too, make sure you get the mixture right though.

Dont put anti-freeze in your screen washer container, it will damage your paintwork!

 

[jaspa]

Dont put water in, go to renault and get some proper coolant, otherwise you will have problems later

 

[wado]

you dont need to go to renault, pop down to halfords and buy an antifreeze tester. That will tell you what your mixtures like, then act accordingly. If you have any queries ask someone there, theyll usually help.

 

[KDF]

Quote: Originally posted by GirlRacer on 26 January 2003

Quote: Originally posted by _KDF on 26 January 2003

Normal water will do, but you could put anti-freeze/summer coolant in aswell as it acts as an anti rust agent too, make sure you get the mixture right though.

Dont put anti-freeze in your screen washer container, it will damage your paintwork!







re-read what he said...

 

[KDF]

Quote: Originally posted by jaspa on 27 January 2003


Dont put water in, go to renault and get some proper coolant, otherwise you will have problems later

you HAVE to put water in, In the correct amount to mix with the anti-freeze/coolant

 

[KDF]

Quote: Originally posted by wado on 27 January 2003


you dont need to go to renault, pop down to halfords and buy an antifreeze tester. That will tell you what your mixtures like, then act accordingly. If you have any queries ask someone there, theyll usually help.

Yes get a tester and see if you need more or less anti-freeze, then top up accordingly with the correct mixture of cooland and water

 

[Faceman]

Rang reno today, and they sell a 1litre bottle of coolant for £5.88, all ready mixed to correct strength etc. so you just top it up.

Nice and easy, thats how I like it!

Face

 

[jaspa]

You do not put tap water in, take a look inside your kettle, thats what it will do to your engine.

 

[Alex M]

a fiver for a litre from reno, rip off, go to any car parts shop and ask for mixable ethylene glycol anti freeze, mix it 50/50 with water and pur it in till max mark (when engine is cool), should be able to get 5 litres (which will do 10 litres mixed) for a fiver or so. Dont let Renault rob you for stuff like that! As everybody says dont put water in alone, as it can cause problems in the long term.

 

[Jase1]

Id take your car to the dealer - & them do a pressure test, as its possible your head gasket could be on the way out - you dont want a warped head.