coolant - what to top up with

[d4ve86]

maybe a dumb question but iv never filled up the coolant before, noticed the other day its right on the min mark if not below it!

where should i top it up to? and what with?

 

[yeecup]

erm try coolent........

 

[davebem]

Or a drop of water.

 

[Scott]

and top it up to the maximum marker i wudve thought.....

 

[Tom_16v]

water will do, it wont dilute it too much....

 

[BRUN]

if yours is green then its probably Renault coolant thats in it, can pick it up pre mixed at the dealers, thats what i use

 

[V1NNY]

Yeah i think its type D coolant, iirc its either £6-8 from renault

 

[hkka]

After top up and test drive, you should double check the coolant level.

 

[d4ve86]

cheers lads

 

[casiodan]

Isnt it supposed to be on minimum when the engine is cold?

 

[edde]

Quote: Originally posted by casiodan on 03 September 2005

Isnt it supposed to be on minimum when the engine is cold?

Nope. Your supposed to check it when th cars cold and top it up accoridingly.

The Renault coolent isnt supposed to be mixed with water though. 1 liter is £6 or so.

 

[d4ve86]

so inbetween min and max. in the middle?

 

[edde]

Quote: Originally posted by D4ve F on 03 September 2005

so inbetween min and max. in the middle?

I always fill to the maximum but anywhere between max and minimum is fine.

 

[BenR]

hoi sin sauce

 

[Munson]

LOL

 

[DarrenRN]

Ive recently topped mine up with distiled (Spell?) water.
When I got the car, 300 miles ago it was about 1/2 full now it was about 1/4 left just sitting near the Min line.

its an old 1991 car is it usuall for them to lose coolant?

Also will it damage the engine if the coolant runs down near to the Min level.

 

[rory182]

losing lots of coolant might be a radiator leak, might be perished hoses / pipes, or might be cylinder head gasket failure, is there mayonaisse like gunk under the cap?

 

[Lagerlout]

Quote: Originally posted by BenR on 03 September 2005

hoi sin sauce

MMMmmmmm. Smothering some Roasted Duck breast, with spring onions and cucumber, wrapped in a pancake..... my favourite food.

Not sure how weel it do as coolant though..lol

 

[edde]

Quote: Originally posted by DarrenRN on 06 September 2005

Ive recently topped mine up with distiled (Spell?) water.
When I got the car, 300 miles ago it was about 1/2 full now it was about 1/4 left just sitting near the Min line.

its an old 1991 car is it usuall for them to lose coolant?

Also will it damage the engine if the coolant runs down near to the Min level.

You can run down to the minimum fine Id just not let it go any lower than minimum.

Mine leaks a bit your sound like a coolent leak though not just natural evapouration. Check your pipes and radiator for leaks.

 

[DarrenRN]

Theres no gunk as such in the coolant tank or lid & the oil looks fine too.

 

[Smokey]

I wouldnt dilute it down with winter approaching. Not for the sake of £6 anyway



mmmmmmmmm aromatic crispy duck n pancakes

 

[DarrenRN]

My Dads got some antifreeze somewhere it wont be long till its half empty again anyway lol. when it is how much antifreeze should I bung in?

 

[clio__chris]

How much coolant do u think id need for my 1.6? i guess i could wait and look in the book but that would be too easy.........

 

[Martin_172]

i always just top mine up to the maximum mark. i use water unless its been topped up a couple of times and has been diluted, then i put some anti-freeze in it