Top up coolant message (2019 Vantage)

[mx stu]

Afternoon,

Had a top up coolant message pop up on my 2019 Vantage earlier in the week and spoke with Grange Hatfield who said to top it up with 0.5L of water, which took it to an inch or so below the neck. However the message is still there. Looking through the forum I see a fair few issues with the sensor on the previous model but nothing really about the newer model. I've used it a couple of times (relatively short journeys) since the message has popped up and there have been no issues with engine temperature.

Anyone had similar issues?

I must say the biggest downside of ownership at the moment is the distance to the nearest main dealer and the lack of a decent (or any) independant in the local area (Cambridgeshire).

[bogie]

On the earlier model had the same issue, bought a new sensor for the coolant bottle, less than £20 and fit in 5 mins, easy job. Not sure about 2019 model, but maybe not too different ?

[volvodrummer]

There is a secondary expansion tank for the Turbos (and the rear diff?) located under the engine cover with the plaque. It's likely low there.
The rear diffs on these have been known to leak. Look for dried white/pink coolant stains around rear Ediff area.

[kevin_cambs_uk]

Yep Cambridgeshire is starved of either main dealers or indies. Such a shame

[mx stu]

Thanks all for the suggestions, had someone look over it and nothing obvious so more tests required. Oh and also they've spotted a hydraulics leak.

[EVR]

Also got this message today. Not sure if it's because of the cold maybe? It's my first winter with the car.

During last service my dealer also fixed the known fault of differential coolant leaking, so I don't think this might be the cause.

If not, what kind of coolant should I buy to top it up?

Is it the same kind for the engine and the turbos?

If it's the sensor, what kind of sensor is it so I can buy a new one and where is it, next to the engine coolant bottle, the turbo one, both?

Edited by EVR on Saturday 10th January 12:28

[EVR]

This is the level I have in the reservoir under the engine cover, the turbos one if I am not mistaken:





Is this low?

I could not for the life of me open the cap on the engine coolant one, it was too tight and the reservoir is not transparent so no idea (yet) about the level in that one.

[SergiyZ]

If the 2019 Vantage has the same system as the DB11, I had the same problem. It's a faulty coolant level sensor. This sensor is located in the expansion tank. The tank is black, and yes, the cap screws on very tightly. The sensor is removable, but unfortunately, AML only sells it with the expansion tank. The sensor is capacitive, and if the G40 antifreeze concentration is below 50%, it will also indicate a lack of coolant.

[SergiyZ]

I changed reservoir number 3. It's very tight and needs to be unscrewed and checked only when cold. The level should cover the bar in the middle. As it gets colder, the level may drop and you just need to top it up. The fluid is G40, either concentrated or diluted. I bought the original Mercedes.

[EVR]

Ok, understood. I will try to unscrew it with a tool tomorrow and check.

Where you say G40... is it a brand? Can you please post here the exact type/brand AM suggests? Sorry, but I am not very knowledgeable in coolants, yet.

[SergiyZ]

G40 is standart for coolant what use mercedes and AML in car with 5.2 and 4.0,red color.OEM AML is very expensive,I use oem mercedes,but you can buy good aftermarket.Write in google "G40 coolant".

Edited by SergiyZ on Sunday 11th January 02:02

Edited by SergiyZ on Sunday 11th January 13:18

[V8 Minotaur]

Here you go - don’t pay silly proices for it...


https://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-131730-comma-xstream-...

[EVR]

Thanks guys!

Will order, top up the turbos reservoir a bit, find a way to open safely the engine reservoir without ruining the cap then top up also this one a bit.

If the message persists, it's probably the sensor, will look into that later if needed.

[SergiyZ]

You don't need a tool, just take an old towel that won't slip and unscrew it. I think you can use a pipe wrench if it's completely stuck.

[EVR]

Yeah, will try with some rubber gloves.

The tool you picture I think is a bit too aggressive and I will risk to ruin the cap that is also a pressurised valve if I understood it correctly.

[SergiyZ]

Cap is very strong.
If you need reservuir with sensor you can buy from astonmartinbits.

[SergiyZ]

Photo cup

[SergiyZ]

[EVR]

Thanks Sergiy, very useful! Will report back on how it goes.

Every day is school day, first time I deal with coolant on one of my cars.

[BiggaJ]

Funnily, my car told me last week the coolant level needed topping up. Took me a little while to unscrew the cap off the bottle, mine is a black bottle and cap as seen in the posts above. I ended up buying some Holts G12+ coolant 2 x 1 litre bottle and it took almost a litre to top up. Despite this the warning would not go away over the weekend so thought perhaps the hi level sensor had given up.

Had a quick look, unplugged the sensor, plugged it back in and the warning stopped showing in the car.

The hardest part was getting the cap off but managed it with my hands after a few minutes trying.

Edited by BiggaJ on Monday 12th January 14:10