coolant drains quickly ? how often you refill?

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coolant drains quickly ? how often you refill?

Postby klam » Tue Dec 18, 2012 6:38 pm

Guys, I've noticed just by sheer luck that I didn't have any coolant left in the tank. at the last service it was topped up for sure as I've checked it afterwards and this service was nearly 6 months ago, and I've driven about 5.000 kms. I know I have to book for service soon, I just don't like the fact that the coolant was gone that quickly, and to be honest this hasn't happened for the first time.
On my major service at 100.000kms I got the radiator changed as well as it was leaking a bit. This new one doesn't show any leaks so far, gasket seems to be just fine.
Is this normal behavior or shall I get it checked as well ?
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Re: coolant drains quickly ? how often you refill?

Postby Deep Heat » Tue Dec 18, 2012 6:58 pm

I haven't noticed any drops like that in my car.
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Re: coolant drains quickly ? how often you refill?

Postby RX_MY02 » Tue Dec 18, 2012 7:00 pm

I havent had to top up my radiator in 50000km. the car has had a coolant flush about 15000km ago.

i would say you are leaking fluid somewhere where you shouldnt be. but im no mechanic
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Re: coolant drains quickly ? how often you refill?

Postby 05GTLIB » Tue Dec 18, 2012 8:07 pm

I've never had to top up my coolant in the 13-14 months i've owned the car. Start checking for leaks!!
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Re: coolant drains quickly ? how often you refill?

Postby Dropz » Tue Dec 18, 2012 8:30 pm

Blown headgasket, get a compression test, listen for coolant rush in dash, check the exhaust for steam, pressure test the radiator.

Air bubble from when the coolant was flushed: top up and check every 1000km, or, rebleed the coolant with a funnel.

leaking heatercore: damp passenger footwell, coolant smell in car, coolant rush in dash.

thermostat blocked, stuck shut, or in backwards/upside down: car gets hot, uses coolant, coolant rush in dash.

external leaks: radiator hoses, radiator top/bottom tanks, radiator cap, heater core hoses.


get a mechanic to check it over for above faults/symptoms.
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Re: coolant drains quickly ? how often you refill?

Postby rooby » Tue Dec 18, 2012 9:09 pm

Me too. I've never used any coolant, except a small amount at the last track day.
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Re: coolant drains quickly ? how often you refill?

Postby klam » Tue Dec 18, 2012 10:21 pm

Dropz wrote:Blown headgasket, get a compression test, listen for coolant rush in dash, check the exhaust for steam, pressure test the radiator.

Air bubble from when the coolant was flushed: top up and check every 1000km, or, rebleed the coolant with a funnel.

leaking heatercore: damp passenger footwell, coolant smell in car, coolant rush in dash.

thermostat blocked, stuck shut, or in backwards/upside down: car gets hot, uses coolant, coolant rush in dash.

external leaks: radiator hoses, radiator top/bottom tanks, radiator cap, heater core hoses.


get a mechanic to check it over for above faults/symptoms.



thanks for the tips. the engine gets quite hot but the meter is steady at mid levels, so I've never suspected anything, but from my previous car I don't even remember last time I've refilled the coolant, that's why I was asking.

thanks again guys, will keep you posted.
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Re: coolant drains quickly ? how often you refill?

Postby klam » Fri Jan 18, 2013 7:02 pm

hm.. there was nothing wrong with it, mechanic said. Well, I don't really get it. When the engine is cooled, let's say overnight, there is less coolant in the tank. Once I finished driving, let's say 1h, there is noticable more coolant in the tank than it is while the engine is cold. Shouldn't it be other way around ? :P
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Re: coolant drains quickly ? how often you refill?

Postby zch91 » Fri Jan 18, 2013 7:09 pm

No. It expands as it heats up hence the overflow tank...
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Re: coolant drains quickly ? how often you refill?

Postby bigBADbenny » Fri Jan 18, 2013 7:39 pm

When mine is filled to the full mark when cold, it expands to around the same height as the low to full distance (about 5cm when) hot.
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Re: coolant drains quickly ? how often you refill?

Postby Dropz » Fri Jan 18, 2013 10:19 pm

When the water heats up it expands, therefore it fills up the overflow bottle. As the coolant cools down with the engine it contracts and sucks coolant back into the system. The overflow bottle is designed purely to capture the coolant and allow it to be reused in the system to prevent air being sucked in when the car cools down.
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Re: coolant drains quickly ? how often you refill?

Postby klam » Sun Jan 20, 2013 10:26 am

I've again learnt something new thanks to you guys ;)
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