Coolant

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osmoalec

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Hey guys, I'm going for a long drive home tomorrow 600kmish. So I topped up all my fluids and what not, but without thinking I topped up my coolant. Does this mean I'm going to have to bleed it out or should I still be OK.

Thanks.
 
What do you mean by topped it off? To what level did you fill it (cold fill line, hot fill line, or above that)? Did you fill it at the degas bottle at the base of the windshield on the driver's side?
In any event, bleeding is only required when you open the system. Removing the degas bottle lid does not count as opening the system, so you are good. Be aware that coolant is not consumed. If it was low, then you have a leak and you will have to deal with it sooner or later, and sooner is better than later.
 
I filled it to the hot line at the degas bottle. It was a little below cold line. It stayed where it was for about 3 months after I replaced degas bottle so don't think I have a lead again
 
osmoalec said:
I filled it to the hot line at the degas bottle. It was a little below cold line. It stayed where it was for about 3 months after I replaced degas bottle so don't think I have a lead again
Click to expand...

it has been well documented here that the cooling system will have a leak before it starts to actually lose fluid
 
I also was looking at " topping " off my coolant.
concern was that it is a little below recommended level.
I'm one of those that think that the more coolant in the system,up to correct amount is best.
should i buy a gallon and only use what looks like a cup or two or three and top it off or let it be like i have the last 6K miles ??
 
Where is it at? Is it below the cold fill line? (If so, how much?)
If you are really just adding a cup or two and know that the coolant mix in there now is good, it would be okay to just add some distilled water.
 
joegr said:
Where is it at? Is it below the cold fill line? (If so, how much?)
If you are really just adding a cup or two and know that the coolant mix in there now is good, it would be okay to just add some distilled water.
Click to expand...

it is about 1/4 in below the line.

also checked and found only good to -10 below.

so,on to search locally for acceptable coolant.

can i siphon out of the car as much as i can and refill with straight coolant and let it circulate and check again ?
repeat if needed ?

trying to avoid the bleeding sequence if possible.
 
Although not the most effective way of doing it, I don't see why not. You'd have to repeat this at the degas bottle a few times, at least, I'd imagine a dozen times or so.

Obviously the most effective solution would be to open the degas cap and drain from the bottom at the rad, refill and complete the bleed procedure. What ever you do, do not let any of those quick lube places do it for you, they'll f^ck it up, guaranteed!
 
BigRigLS said:
Although not the most effective way of doing it, I don't see why not. You'd have to repeat this at the degas bottle a few times, at least, I'd imagine a dozen times or so.

Obviously the most effective solution would be to open the degas cap and drain from the bottom at the rad, refill and complete the bleed procedure. What ever you do, do not let any of those quick lube places do it for you, they'll f^ck it up, guaranteed!
Click to expand...

Ok,,here a silly thought :)

how about,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,i have someone pour in the anti freeze as i slowly drain it out of the radiator ??
not letting it get down to low in the bottle ??

all i need is to get the mix to 50/50 for protection for this winter.

it's at -10 now,to get to -35 ( 50/50 ) shouldn't take but a 1/2 gal ??
 
That may work. It wouldn't get as much as a separate drain and refill, but it might be enough. This all seems like a lot of work and concern just to avoid doing the straight forward bleeding procedure that takes less than 30 minutes.
 
@roncoinc ^ that theory is one that only looks good on paper, in your case, your silly redneck brain! Trust me it's not going to work out as intended, air is quicker then the mighty hand.

Just dump the coolant and complete the bleed procedure Bud, it's not that Fn difficult. Just burp the bigger flexible hoses as you add the new stuff, it'll force the air along the way. Ensuring you keep the revs up for a few minutes and get the thermostats to open thereby filling the radiator properly. Best to get another person to hold at 3K while you continue to add coolant into the degas well before it allows it'self to suck in further air.
 
I got some of what Joe uses and will drain and fill and bleed when i can get help.

BR !! dispatch called !!
ya got go back to keebec !
that lot of condoms defective,ya have to pick them up and return !!
 
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