Coolant Loss

[jmildoc]

I am not sure if I lost coolant or just a sensor is acting funny. Wife left for the store then called and said the message center said low coolant... I told her to come back and I put about a cup of coolant in and the light went out, it didnt even seem low. What could this be? Should I do a drain and fill to be safe or what?

Any help is appreciated....

 

[Modded]

It was probably low if it turned off after filling.
Did you see the level below the mark on the tank?

 

[jmildoc]

the tank was kind of dirty. is a cup low, LOW? how could i clean that tank?

 

[Sepiroth]

Honestly, the coolant system is a closed system. That being typed, anytime you have to add coolant, you're losing it somewhere. Now where, or how long it's been leaking, I dont know.

The only way to find out is to have a coolant system pressure checked perferomed. This should be done on a cold and warm engine. This will most likey find out where your leak is.

It could be such a small leak that this is the first time its been low enough on coolant to let you know.

 

[jmildoc]

so there is no possible way that maybe my cap is worn out and it is evaporating or something. I mean I only added like a cup maybe less!!!

 

[Sepiroth]

Sure, a bad cap is a possible. Chances are that if indeed the cap is bad, you will notice some sort of staining from the coolant leaking and then drying, either on the radiator of de-gas coolant resovoir.

 

[jmildoc]

the reservoir is nasty looking i was thinking of taking it off and cleaning it out

 

[Sepiroth]

If your reservoir is nasty, the rest of your cooling system looks as nasty. Thats why I hate DexCrap.

 

[jmildoc]

well what do i use to clean it out? what can I fill it with?

 

[Rivieraracing]

Try taking the resevoir off and take some simple green and a scrup brush and go to town, something that will get inside the resevoir without damaging it!! Should clean it out pretty good!!