hi there how many time in a year do you top coolant up on a corsa c 1.2 1,i got a coolant clean out on 4th nov last year,they filled it to the line,its used like 2 cm of it,where a got it done they done a compression test b4 they done the change 6v? and how long does it take for it to go down a bit ?
corsa c coolant
- Thread starter geodca11
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Ideally (and theoretically) the coolant level shouldn't change at all.
However, and especially if the coolant has been changed recently, expect the level to fall a little until things stabilise.
As new coolant is added, there will be several air pockets which take a while to be expelled fully, causing the coolant drop.
In most situations - especially on older vehicles - a small coolant top up every few months isn't anything to worry about. Usually there are tiny escapes in the heater and main radiator matrixes, and around hose ends.
John
However, and especially if the coolant has been changed recently, expect the level to fall a little until things stabilise.
As new coolant is added, there will be several air pockets which take a while to be expelled fully, causing the coolant drop.
In most situations - especially on older vehicles - a small coolant top up every few months isn't anything to worry about. Usually there are tiny escapes in the heater and main radiator matrixes, and around hose ends.
John
[its just that its been my first trip to get the coolant done,the car is a corsa c 1.2 16v 04 plate,so what should a expect the level to go to,n when a top it up again it will not go down like that? cheers for reply
As you've seen, as the air locks are expelled, the coolant drops a wee bit.
No need to worry about this, but it is a good idea to top the level up with a 50% mixture of water / antifreeze (preferably the same type thats been put in) to prevent dilution.
Most antifreezes last 2 years (blue stuff) or 5 years (red stuff). In fact its not the anti freezing properties that diminish, more the corrosion inhibitor.
Keep an eye on the level for a few weeks and see how it goes......in time, most mechanics can tell a coolant leak because of the smell!
John
No need to worry about this, but it is a good idea to top the level up with a 50% mixture of water / antifreeze (preferably the same type thats been put in) to prevent dilution.
Most antifreezes last 2 years (blue stuff) or 5 years (red stuff). In fact its not the anti freezing properties that diminish, more the corrosion inhibitor.
Keep an eye on the level for a few weeks and see how it goes......in time, most mechanics can tell a coolant leak because of the smell!
John
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its the red coolant in my corsa c,the expansion tank is clean theres no oil or anything like that mixing what i do have is the gundge stuff on my oil cap,a think a was talking to yourself about,and cause i only do short journeys its the condinsation thats causing that stuff on the oil cap.thank you for the info
If I approach a car thats just been running, i.e with the engine hot, I can always detect the smell of coolant leaking - even the slightest weep.
Some folks reckon its a bit like a curry smell so I'll have to go with that - but it sure is distinctive and smells like nothing else. Maybe others will have a better explanation!
John
Some folks reckon its a bit like a curry smell so I'll have to go with that - but it sure is distinctive and smells like nothing else. Maybe others will have a better explanation!
John
No worries mate but if you have water where your spark plugs are then you sure have a head gasket problem.....and you haven't
If you have a head gasket problem, then an analysis of the air above the coolant in the header tank is in order. Basically we take a sample of the air above the coolant, and bubble that through a blue chemical solution. If that solution turns yellow, then products of combustion (exhaust gas) are present, showing the head gasket has had enough.
John
If you have a head gasket problem, then an analysis of the air above the coolant in the header tank is in order. Basically we take a sample of the air above the coolant, and bubble that through a blue chemical solution. If that solution turns yellow, then products of combustion (exhaust gas) are present, showing the head gasket has had enough.
John
hi there m8 just bk from garage about the coolant and what you said they said it goes down when you driving,then when stationary it goes bk up,see when a taken the bar off to see spark plugs there were no water in there,but do i need to take spark plugs out to see if there any water would appreciate it if you could let me know thank you
You may expect to see the coolant level drop a fraction, if you have the rad or expansion bottle cap off and start revving the engine....what you see is the action of the water pump doing its work. With the engine idling again, the level returns to normal.
As for the spark plugs, if you have a head gasket issue, then you'll definitely have a very rough engine if water is entering the cylinders, and I'm sure you don't have that! If you want to pop the plugs out then thats fine but it really isn't necessary.
So, if your car is running well, just check the coolant level weekly - just look through the expansion bottle plastic - no need to take the cap off.
At the same time, take the oil filler cap off, and wipe the mayo away. Believe me - most petrol engines are like this to some degree - some a lot worse than others.
John
As for the spark plugs, if you have a head gasket issue, then you'll definitely have a very rough engine if water is entering the cylinders, and I'm sure you don't have that! If you want to pop the plugs out then thats fine but it really isn't necessary.
So, if your car is running well, just check the coolant level weekly - just look through the expansion bottle plastic - no need to take the cap off.
At the same time, take the oil filler cap off, and wipe the mayo away. Believe me - most petrol engines are like this to some degree - some a lot worse than others.
John
hi, my corsa does exactly the same thing its the same model and engine, except its a 53 plate, i must honestly fill my header tank up from empty!! atleast once a week!!, i dont know where it goes, not in oil, not leaking and not into engine, my dads been a mechanic nearly 30 years and its killing him not knowing where its going, but ive never heard of another car doing it before, fingers crossed its not whats happened to yours lol
The heater matrix maybe....any sign of damp carpets on the central tunnel below the dash, or the odd pong?
John
John
hi john thanks for advice m8,been really helpful,i have noticed you been talking about wet carpet my driver side and behind driver set has water in them,just wondering what your thoughts could be causing this when it rains theres more water in it,
Just a few checks to get you started - make sure all the rubber grommets on the sills and floor are acually there (sometimes they dislocate when the car is jacked up).
Also check the door seals aren't damaged or split (if you trap a piece of paper between the door and the frame as you close it the paper should be trapped too)
Curiously, blocked sunroof drain holes cause wet carpets but I don't know if thats applicable here,
Rear lamp units tend to let water through, causing wet in the boot and rear carpets, and finally water sometimes finds its way down the back of the door cards then out through the bottom, which is inside the car,
Talcum powder is a useful if somewhat messy method of revealing water trace!
John
Also check the door seals aren't damaged or split (if you trap a piece of paper between the door and the frame as you close it the paper should be trapped too)
Curiously, blocked sunroof drain holes cause wet carpets but I don't know if thats applicable here,
Rear lamp units tend to let water through, causing wet in the boot and rear carpets, and finally water sometimes finds its way down the back of the door cards then out through the bottom, which is inside the car,
Talcum powder is a useful if somewhat messy method of revealing water trace!
John
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