Am I dumb? Coolant levels.

[hopkins1]

Hi

I have just gone to check my coolant level for the first time. Looking in the hand book, it says to check that 10mm of fluid is showing in the filler neck.

Is this correct?

It seems odd to me the expansion vessel shoild be so full. Am I being stupid or is the handbook just badly written.

Please someone explain to me how to check the fluid level is correct, and at what level it should be.

Thanks

Dave

[rfisher]

Handbook is wrong.

Water level is around halfway up the tank.

Mine seems to stay just below the engine outflow pipe.

You can measure the level using a wooden spoon commonly to be found in the room in the house known as the kitchen.

[rev-erend]

I'd agree with the half way up the header tank method..

Mine uses about 1 inch per week (250 miles) .. so hardly anything but if I fill it to 10 mm up neck - it pushes loads out - maybe more than 1/2 way down.

[rolex]

Topped up only a few times over the last 18 months, only water though, no antifreeze added. Next top up I think I will use neat antifreeze. Are there any good kits on the market that can test the antifreeze level in your coolant?

[targarama]

rolex said:

Topped up only a few times over the last 18 months, only water though, no antifreeze added. Next top up I think I will use neat antifreeze. Are there any good kits on the market that can test the antifreeze level in your coolant?

12k service includes coolant change so if you've recently had one, or are soon due I shouldn't worry.

[rev-erend]

I always premix it in a bottle (50/50) .. just an old 1ltr lemonade bottle nothing special.

[chim666]

rolex said:

Are there any good kits on the market that can test the antifreeze level in your coolant?

You used to be able to pick up an 'eye dropper' type of tester (an Hydrometer to give it it's correct name) for about a quid in Halfords or most auto factors.