Coolant expansion tank levels

Coolant expansion tank levels

Author
Discussion

Beachbum

Original Poster:

2,507 posts

236 months

Tuesday 29th May 2012
quotequote all
Think this may have been asked before, but as ever either I'm lousy at coming up with the right search criteria, or the Search function isnt working properly again.

So my expansion tank levels, usually sits about 1cm below the min mark, filling it up to the max mark, works until I use it and then after one drive out that gets the engine up to temp the level is back to 1cm below min again.
It never seems to actually go empty, or at least I havnt seen it do that.

The reason for the query now is, that during these last few days of high temps, the car is running a LOT hotter. Yes I know its supposed to, but it is getting to these higher temps quicker than it used to e.g. last summer.

So any ideas ? Am I worrying about nothing ? or is there an issue there that isnt obvious ?

NJS25

446 posts

254 months

Tuesday 29th May 2012
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The level will rise as the coolant heats up and the excess is vented. When it cools it should settle back on or around the min mark. If this is what is happening then this is entirely normal. Filling the expansion tank over the min mark when cold is just a way of wasting liquid.

So yes you are worrying about nothing..........probably.......


It's either this or your head gasket is bv%%ered and your car is going to suffer catastrophic failure imminently causing massive and costly damage to the engine forcing you to buy a Honda engine to replace it.

But I don't think it's this, it's probably just normal.

Regards, Neil

NWTony

2,867 posts

233 months

Tuesday 29th May 2012
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Mine is doing the same thing. I travel the same journey to and from work all week so I know when the temperature first shows and where it hits 86. In this weather it's been hitting 86 a lot faster and my cooland level has dropped a little below where it normally sits.

Either we both have the same problem or its NFN. smile

wacattack

576 posts

230 months

Tuesday 29th May 2012
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They all do this. Mine has been about a cm below the line since I bought t 7 years ago. Probably nothing to worry about but no harm in keeping an eye on it

scatty72

86 posts

198 months

Tuesday 29th May 2012
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mine also sits just below the min level....

Scuffers

20,887 posts

279 months

Tuesday 29th May 2012
quotequote all
don't fill it up!