Low Coolant Problem
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 166
Likes: 4
From: Moneta, VA
Low Coolant Problem
Hi,
I developed a coolant problem at the track a few weeks ago and I have not been able to find the solution yet.
Now every time I start-up I get the low coolant light, for a few minutes.
I have purged all the air by reving up the engine and adding coolant when the level drops, then putting the cap back on. I have done this 4 or 5 times.
I have replaced the radiator cap and tightened the hose to the coolant recovery tank.
I have pressure tested the coolant system. The leak down test dropped 1/2psi in 4 minutes. I figure that might just be leakage in the tester. The pressure did not build when I run the engine.
I find no sign of coolant in the oil or any external leaks and the coolant temp is steady at 160F (chipped).
It seems the level in my recovery tank is rising as I keep adding coolant to the radiator but it does not draw from the recovery tank.
What am I missing, any thoughts.
I developed a coolant problem at the track a few weeks ago and I have not been able to find the solution yet.
Now every time I start-up I get the low coolant light, for a few minutes.
I have purged all the air by reving up the engine and adding coolant when the level drops, then putting the cap back on. I have done this 4 or 5 times.
I have replaced the radiator cap and tightened the hose to the coolant recovery tank.
I have pressure tested the coolant system. The leak down test dropped 1/2psi in 4 minutes. I figure that might just be leakage in the tester. The pressure did not build when I run the engine.
I find no sign of coolant in the oil or any external leaks and the coolant temp is steady at 160F (chipped).
It seems the level in my recovery tank is rising as I keep adding coolant to the radiator but it does not draw from the recovery tank.
What am I missing, any thoughts.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,700
Likes: 298
From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
I think you left out one important step. Burp the system. After you do all that you did, the last step is to turn the bleed screw. It is located on the passenger side of the Tstat housing. Unscrew it while system is hot and motor is reved and open it until you get a small flow of coolant. Put a towel or rag around the area or you will loose your Opti.
Drifting
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,747
Likes: 0
From: Port McNicoll Ontario
I had a problem with mine too. What I did was fill the rad with the car parked on a bit of a side hill so that the cap was the highest point of the rad.
I was able to add a bit more coolant and the light never came back on.
I was able to add a bit more coolant and the light never came back on.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 386
Likes: 0
From: Lancaster Lancashire
When you are burping the system, make sure the coolant is hot (i.e. the thermostat is open) (start and run the engine from cold with the cap off! don't remove the cap on a hot engine or you will get scalded!) and the heater is set to hot, just to make sure there isn't an air lock there (depending on year), then increase and hold the engine revs and the coolant level should drop in the radiator. Top up whilst holding the revs up and refit and tighten the rad cap. This usually works, if not, is your rad cap OK ? just a thought.
