Losing Coolant? Maybe not...

Рет қаралды 167,792

Kurt of Trades

Күн бұрын

Пікірлер: 133

@KurtofTrades 2 ай бұрын

Some coolant tanks are pressurized, please read your user manual before opening and check for warnings on the cap!

@RaffiT83 Жыл бұрын

Thank you. Good advice and explanation for a system many may misunderstand. I would add that technically it's ok if the overflow is low/empty as long as the radiator is full. However it's not the optimal way to keep the car running. If you check the Subaru manual, it will tell you to check the overflow tank level when the car is cold (fully cooled down over night ideally). If the coolant level is at or below the low mark, fill it with coolant until you reach the full mark. That overflow tank serves two functions. It is an overflow tank and a gauge. When the car is warmed up, coolant will expand and flow into the overflow tank. When the car cools down, the coolant will contract and the radiator will suck back in coolant from the overflow tank. If the overflow is empty, it's sucking air in instead of coolant as designed. It's not the end of the world, but not ideal either. The tank also allows you to take a quick look under the hood and see if you're losing coolant or not without popping the radiotor cap off every time. It's only accurate when completely cold. When it's warm, it will go above the full mark, but that's fine. It's not going to spill out. If it does spill out, it means you were doing track days. If your tank is that empty and you fill it to the full mark when it's cold, don't be surprised if the coolant level drops after a few drive cycles. Keep topping it up while it's stone cold. Run the heat in the cabin to help get any air trapped in the system out. It'll eventually settle to the full mark where it should be when stone cold. If you're radiator is full to the top and after about 2-4 top ups of the overflow it's still going low, you may have a problem.

@1984-e5v 8 ай бұрын

100!

@IamAli89 2 ай бұрын

Good point but can you please tell me what kind of Problem? I have a new radiator and it's doing the same thing, I mean I popped it up 1,2 times (both the radiator and the bottle/reservoir). I love my car😊

@stephenmpanga 5 ай бұрын

You've made my mind rest, your explanation is crispy clear. I can now relax.

@kylehorvatis7357 9 ай бұрын

I'm very thankful for this video. I'm that guy who always keeps my fluids "full". I was finding coolant under my car in the garage after it had been parked overnight and this is probably why.

@kawai99100 6 ай бұрын

Please don't overfill the engine oil!!!!

@Enomar1245 5 ай бұрын

Bro, I'm a literal over thinker and most definitely I thought something was wrong with my car. Lol, but I must say without a doubt your video was very clear and clarified. Thank you

@richardepstein3494 Жыл бұрын

That was a terrific explanation!

@patriciamolina6476 5 ай бұрын

Thank you so much! This was so clear! I called my dealer and though they did explain everything you are showing in this video, I still felt I needed to see it! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

@pinkyg6508 5 ай бұрын

You mentioned what no one else has. Thank you for sharing :)

@varvarigosstylianos6062 2 ай бұрын

thank you for the video. My car once lost water and got heated. I ve got white smoke from the exhaust. i got to the technician who filled it up with fluid checked out for leaks (didnt find any) also replaced the radiator cap. So he got suspicious of the fluids going into the engine. I drived the car for about 2 weeks. Everything looked normal driving was like nothing ever happened no heating and radiator properly full. The only problem was that the overflow tank used to get lower as much as the car was moving. That happened little by little needing lets say a distance of 100kms until it got at low level. When i filled up it got low again after 100kms. So finally i got my car for engine service. The check up showed destroyed gasket and cylinders. We replaced the engine cylinders and pistons for a full reconditioning and replaced the overflow tank and radiator as well. After that car was again driving and moving fine and radiator is always full. But the overflow tank still loses coolant at a same pace as before. That is a 5 months situation with me filling up the tank with water or coolant. Although technican told me that i don't have to do so. I am afraid of loosing coolant from the tank and then from the radiator during a trip and then get any serious damage again. We did a double check for coolant leak and didnt find any. Replaced again the cap.Technician insists there is no fluid pulled back in engine. But what does this coolant getting lower mean? Could that be the reason for the heating at first place? So i may run on same problems again? Or an empty overflow tank is just a normal situation as long radiator is full? Unfortunately never checked how overflow tank functioned before the heating. So it is like a mistery..

@suzannesuter6317 4 ай бұрын

Thank you for this! I have been researching for an hour and going back and forth between all our Subarus thinking we had problems.

@MwolX 10 ай бұрын

"If you see the coolant leaking it could be a sign of a leak"

@KurtofTrades 10 ай бұрын

😂 still true lol

@CurboroughSprinter 4 ай бұрын

Yeah I saw coolant leaking from my car, so I suspected it could be a leak but this confirms it. Thanks. 👍

@darlenebrooks8233 4 ай бұрын

Mine. Loses coolant but not dripping out?

@hoodrich5686 4 ай бұрын

Could also be a faulty coolant cap

@Tractortime-e7f 4 ай бұрын

Wow

@cartouchator 9 ай бұрын

You need to be careful. Not every vehicle works this way. Some european brands (fiat for example), dont have a radiator cap. The radiator is a completely sealed unit, and the expansion tank is directly attached to the radiator, and the radiator and expansion tank both get pressurised when the engine runs. The cap on the expansion tank then works as a radiator cap and has a spring loaded release valve and seals. With this design, the level in the expansion tank is directly related to the level inside the radiator, and if the level gets below the minimum line (and they mark is as minimum rather than low), it means your radiator isn't full.

@topesaka5097 6 ай бұрын

I think this is the case with my Chevrolet Aveo 2012. I have been trying to find the radiator cap but I didn’t see it.

@cartouchator 6 ай бұрын

@topesaka5097 yes, indeed, similar cooling setup, the expansion bottle cap is the radiator cap.

@legend-jp5to 3 ай бұрын

@@cartouchator Wtf how do you even check if their is coolant in the system with this if the car is not overheating and the resviour is empty?

@cartouchator 3 ай бұрын

@legend-jp5to you cant.. you either add some and see if the level rises in the expansion bottle, or you open the drain under the radiator..also because it's a sealed pressurised system, it should never need topping up. If the collant is low, It means there's either a leak, a head gasket failure, or a expansion tank cap fault.

@legend-jp5to 3 ай бұрын

@@cartouchator I have a Renault master van 2020 and the coolant somehow disappeared just after 2 weeks I took to the mechanic to pressure test it he said their was coolant in the system and the system holds pressure so their wasn't leak but their was air pocket because the previous mechanic didn't flash it properly so I told him to flash it properly and remove the air Pocket and top up again just 2 weeks later the resviour seems empty you can see some trices still remain at the bottom but it's way bellow the minimum amount I owned this car from new and I had no clue it didn't actually come with seperate radiator cap to check, so now I'm in this dilemma where I have no clue if the radiator is actually full of coolant or if it's low as the resviour, I can't see any leak its been pressure tested and their wasn't any leak but somehow the coolant is going somewhere, everything else was checked and the head gasket is good no white smoke no Milky oil, the car drives normal no misfire no overheating but it seems the coolant is just vanishing. What do you think could cause something like this?

@zachzachzach2130 6 ай бұрын

So glad the owner manual states these key insights...not! Thanks for the tip!!

@patriciamolina6476 5 ай бұрын

🤣Exactly! I was freaking out because I had just had a checkup at the dealer!

@j.chenmuas 10 ай бұрын

Totally needed this because this early morning when I got off work, my heater was blowing cold air on one side and hot air by the driver side. Researched it up and this was one my issues. My coolant reservoir is low but also my radiator coolant is also low. I do not see any leaks or sign of color under or below the bottom of the car. My guess is it probably evaporated. Tomorrow I'm going to to drain whats left of it and refill new coolant. I'll be sure to run the car to cycle the air bubbles until there's no more bubbles. If I miss anything else please let me know for this is my 2nd time changing it. Thanks for the helpful video, it helped me see and understand things more clearly.

@KurtofTrades 10 ай бұрын

If half of your heat is hot and half cold it’s probably your blend door actuator. Look into it. Glad to help!

@stevestanton8281 6 ай бұрын

Thanks mate, was topping up my over flow bottle thinking it was low! Cheers 😃🇦🇺

@SurtierWood 6 ай бұрын

My car is having the same problem I filled it yesterday between the two lines, just a bit ago I checked it. The coolant was down to the bottom line so I topped it off

@stevestanton8281 6 ай бұрын

No need to as explained in the video, when the engines hot the overflow bottle should be at the full mark. When it's cold the coolant contracts and makes it look like it needs topping up.😉🤙

@IamAli89 2 ай бұрын

Excellent video, to the point, which everyone wants 🎉👍. I have a few questions, my reservoir tank gets empty even though I fill it up to that High Mark and the radiator shows up the full coolant (after the drive and when the car isn't hot), when I open up the radiator cap. Is it normal? The temperature nowadays in my city is very warm. I am confused about the reservoir, there might be some leaking in the radiator that consumes up the radiator water and then the radiator takes water from the reservoir?

@KurtofTrades 2 ай бұрын

It’s probably spitting the extra coolant on the ground, if you fill the reservoir up to the top when cold, it will expand and overfill the reservoir and dump the excess coolant on the ground

@ljforry7568 8 күн бұрын

What is the piece in your thumbnail??? My car is leaking from there it has air bubbles forming after I drive it

@KurtofTrades 8 күн бұрын

The plastic tank? Is it attached to your radiator or separate?

@ljforry7568 8 күн бұрын

@@KurtofTrades attached

@ljforry7568 8 күн бұрын

Is that just the top of it then?

@KurtofTrades 8 күн бұрын

It’s part of your radiator most likely and is pressurized. Don’t open it when the coolant is hot wait overnight. Most likely need to get a new one or have a shop re crimp it. You have a coolant leak most likely from there. Very common

@robbhill7894 9 ай бұрын

Thanks for the level explanation!

@tracymoore4102 6 ай бұрын

Only my radiator is low my overflow tank is a little bit over full when it’s cold, but my van got hot the other day because it was low on antifreeze. I’m constantly putting antifreeze in my radiator. My radiator is only a couple years old. My water pump is a couple years old. There’s no antifreeze on the ground. I’m not blowing white smoke and my oil is not mixed.

@youknochent 4 ай бұрын

Have you found the problem ?

@tracymoore4102 3 ай бұрын

@@youknochent I traded that van in for a 2017 Kia forte five

@amgmerc5303 9 ай бұрын

Very helpful many thanks

@user-gv8kh3cd8m 4 ай бұрын

Should I top up the radiator, in the case it is not full?

@KurtofTrades 4 ай бұрын

Yes you definitely can and should

@user-gv8kh3cd8m 4 ай бұрын

@@KurtofTrades Thank you Sir!

@blackwolfhaley 2 ай бұрын

So do we fill the radiator cap With the same coolant that goes into the coolant reservoir?

@LA_Commander Ай бұрын

@@blackwolfhaleyyes

@devinbrita3770 Ай бұрын

Thanks for this question! And should I always fill the coolant to the very top of the radiator?

@danmaycock9238 4 күн бұрын

How do create this room reverb when you're outside?

@KurtofTrades 4 күн бұрын

I’m right outside my garage, it’s echoing out from it most likely

@danmaycock9238 2 күн бұрын

@KurtofTrades aaaahhhhh gotchya, thought you were a magician or something.

@Garage-wt5jl 8 күн бұрын

The expansion tank on my 2014 F250 has a screw cap because it's pressurized

@KurtofTrades 8 күн бұрын

Some newer models are starting to go this route it seems.

@paulneumann7739 2 ай бұрын

Yup that’s me freaking out about being at low mark This helps me Thank you Calgary, Alberta

@noelramirez7949 9 күн бұрын

Today my car was parked , it said something about engine overheating due to AC ,I popped the hood and was very hot but didn’t see nothing weird , coolant was good but there was water under , can anyone help ?

@harmoniousembodiment7203 5 ай бұрын

BUT WHAT if expansion tank is way above maximum line, and radiator starts at full immediately after replacement radiator and fill, but the next day overflow reservoir tank is way above maximum level adn coolant in radiator lowers so cant be seen. So i siphoned off coolant out of overflow tank, then filled radiator to top level again. Went a couple cycles like that. Confuisng. 2008 nissan xterrra, which has a pressurized coolant reservoir overflow cap, non pressurized radiator cap.

@YungToyBreaker 4 ай бұрын

I have full expansion tank but the radiator is empty everyday when I remove the pressure cap in the morning to check it. Haven’t seen any leaks. Is it okay to refill it?

@KurtofTrades 4 ай бұрын

It’s fine to refill, you need to find out where your coolant is going. Might be a leak or might be going into the oil cooler or engine oil, or out the exhaust

@YungToyBreaker 4 ай бұрын

@@KurtofTrades I changed the radiator cap. I also used k-seal before but don’t know if I should keep using it. Do you have a video that demonstrates how to check for these leaks you mentioned?

@artvallejos1460 Ай бұрын

@@YungToyBreaker I used k seal it made it worse

@SERGUMUM 3 ай бұрын

I got my radiator and this stuff repaired last year. I fill up that plastic tank to the “Full” marker snd I got my car leaking coolant at the front. May so much coolant blown off my radiator. Drops come from the very front. Car rans properly no overheat. It is a Rav1 First Geb.

@iD-ne1eh 2 ай бұрын

''The coolant level should be filled between the F and L marks when engine is cold.'' (Owner's Manual)

@aspjake123 8 ай бұрын

Thank you for your very helpful video.

@ms.vicious1872 3 ай бұрын

What if I keep putting coolant but it’s still low. It’s not leaking or anything so where is it going?

@KurtofTrades 3 ай бұрын

If you keep adding it to the radiator it could be going into the engine, leaking, evaporating or going out the exhaust. Lots of options

@ms.vicious1872 3 ай бұрын

@@KurtofTrades just got back from the mechanic it needs a water pump and a coolant outlet flange.

@matthewr956 2 ай бұрын

My 09 Scion Tc, I believe has been leaking coolant. After I refill it, coolants gone after 20’minute drive, Theres no leak on the tray under the engine, The oils also clean, So im not too sure what the problem is, Radiator looks a little corroded but not sure..

@hehaheadshot97 8 ай бұрын

Well, I feel targeted but I'm glad I now know why I'm losing coolant between FULL and LOW. Whoops lol, I've been dumping it out.

@ahmadshadaab433 3 ай бұрын

My wahite tankis always full ...i check daily in the morning and it remains full...means the radiator doesnt suck back when its cool...why?

@jamesiv2456 3 ай бұрын

Thank you for this, coming from a newbie

@sleepwalker29 5 ай бұрын

I over filled my reservoir 50% and it don't boil over. If it boils over you have a thermostat that is not opening. At 120k miles coolant O rings leak causing Subarus to slowly lose coolant. A new cars coolant reservoir is filled to the middle of L and H.

@mudfoot4017 3 ай бұрын

Go Blue, Baby!

@lilbuggers4258 6 ай бұрын

Awe that gone be after him . This is a life saver videos . 🎉

@gallagherscott11 5 ай бұрын

dude, how would my coolant tank dumb it on the ground? i can't even see it because it's so dirty. so, your saying the hose doesn't connect to anything?

@grabbergrabbs1 7 ай бұрын

WRONG : Full is where you should have your coolant level when the engine is dead cold. (actually anywhere between the full and low mark, but you should keep it at the full mark and be done with it) You have full mentioned to indicate that you should not have coolant over this line when cold. The rest of the reservoir above the full mark is there for the hot/expansion coolant to be allowed without overflowing to the ground. It has nothing to do with hot or cold, so this is why you don't see these terms on the reservoir.

@muhammad-bin-american 7 ай бұрын

Yeah that makes sense.

@EthanOtton 4 ай бұрын

I disagree, should be at min for cold, max for hot

@JessieBarber-e5i 3 күн бұрын

@@EthanOtton hey sorry to annoy you but ive just opened my radiator cap (2004 nissan pulsar radiator is somewhat new) and the radiator has no coolant in it at all only in the resovior tank there is coolant at low level and this is checking the car cold ive never seen a radiator with no coolant in it do i fill it up ? how so ? i cant see any leaks the hoses all look good

@gogetit3222 7 ай бұрын

Any tips theres no fluid in reservoir and my radiator

@bobbymarwah 11 ай бұрын

thank you , important and helpful information

@Popagano 6 ай бұрын

My Water bottle is leaking,what can I use for now,to protect the engine being damaged

@shappirefishing1186 10 ай бұрын

Thanks ❤❤

@wasimsiddik7450 Ай бұрын

Thank you 🙏

@hariffasgarally 4 ай бұрын

thank you so much, i have a small toyota starlet 1995 automatic gear

@jesusceballos7277 7 ай бұрын

My car radiator is low but my tank is full and it’s bothering me

@LA_Commander Ай бұрын

That means your radiator cap isn't working. There is a valve there to allow the extra coolant to return to the radiator as it cools down. Try a new, correct, OEM radiator cap.

@jesusceballos7277 Ай бұрын

@ yes this was 100% the issue I was worried since I was on a budget and my car is lowered to the ground so I thought I had hit something

@vaughanbowles8258 8 ай бұрын

I love ur tips

@LoonyLoneNewYorker Жыл бұрын

Thank you this helped a bunch.

@H111-y8f 2 ай бұрын

Why my coolant color becomes colorless in short time? Two months

@JuanFlores-f9o 4 күн бұрын

**Coolant Dilution**If water is being mixed with the coolant, it can dilute the color. This often happens if there is a leak in the cooling system that allows water to enter or if water is added directly to the coolant reservoir instead of the proper coolant mixture.

@H111-y8f 4 күн бұрын

@ thx Juan actually this happens to my lx570 coolant keep changing and becoming colorless like drinking water maybe previously the shop didn’t took all old coolant from the system and some of the water kept inside the block (it was normal water) because i have heater hose leak and all coolant leaks out so i put normal water just to drive my car to the shop

@azzedyala1527 4 ай бұрын

Thank you

@caseyhenry2748 7 ай бұрын

What happen if the raditor cap blow off?

@LA_Commander Ай бұрын

Get a new one

@Steve-l9v 2 ай бұрын

Some wrong information here. My SUV and most newer vehicles do not have a radiator cap. It is all done through the overflow which is pressurized. In this video, you said it is not, but that is not the case in all vehicles.

@KurtofTrades 2 ай бұрын

Correct, many new ones have pressurized reservoirs

@Steve-l9v 2 ай бұрын

@@KurtofTrades yeah My 2018 Trax LT is pressurized by 20 psi

@bossplays5529 Ай бұрын

My pickup leaks everytime once it stays under 30 for a few days lol

@iamonline3221 9 ай бұрын

good vid, learned some

@TheCreameryPort 9 ай бұрын

Hi! I just bought a subaru impreza 2017, and when i open the radiator cap and ut se water in and then fill it, i could see some oil. ¿Is it normal? Some guy told me that it's normal, beacause the coolant on this cars are oilly 😅. Hope you can respond to my question.

@muhammad-bin-american 7 ай бұрын

I have never heard of an oily coolant but you never know. My advise is to check Subaru online forums.

@kornelobajdin5889 5 ай бұрын

Bro your head gasket is leaking for sure.

@userjanba407 2 ай бұрын

expertly explained

@lunner505 8 ай бұрын

Haha😅😅😅😅, thanks man

@andrewmanyore9913 7 ай бұрын

my coolant tank is totally empty but radiator full

@muhammad-bin-american 7 ай бұрын

Add to 'full' or 'Cold' line ASAP when engine is completely cold. Monitor and see if its still going down. If so then check for a leak. If no visible leak and engine is still losing coolant then its most likely leaking mixing with engine oil. Major issue.

@alcameron6071 3 ай бұрын

@@muhammad-bin-american