14
Jul
Check your vehicle handbook for the location of the coolant filler cap the advice given may vary from car to car. The cap of the coolant tank will often have a warning on it to not open unless the engine is cold.
Owning a car is no easy responsibility.
How to check engine coolant. How to check your coolant 1. Find the expansion tank. Make sure you find the right tank.
Check your vehicle handbook to find the location of. Check the coolant level. The coolant should be between the min and max marks on the side of the expansion tank.
Check hoses for problems. How do you check your engine coolant. Check your vehicle handbook for the location of the coolant filler cap the advice given may vary from car to car.
Always ensure the engine is cool before you open the filler cap pressurised hot water can build up inside. The cap of the coolant tank will often have a warning on it to not open unless the engine is cold. The coolant system is pressurised if you remove the cap while the engine is hot coolant could spurt out as the pressure is released and scald you.
The way coolant works within the engines cooling system hasnt changed much over the past 100 years. The cooling system circulates the coolant fluid around specially designed cavities within the engine block to keep the temperature at its optimum operating point before being passed through a large radiator which air passes through cooling the fluid within the system. One way to check to see if this is the problem is to check your oil levels.
If you check the oil dipstick and there are bubbles in it or the colour is milky then you probably have a blown head gasket and coolant is leaking into your oil reservoir. Check the coolant stored in the plastic bottle connected to the radiator. Only in an emergency should you add only water to the coolant system.
Most modern engines have aluminum cylinder heads which require the protective anticorrosive properties of antifreeze. A 5050 mix of liquid or coolant is usually sufficient. Always check your coolant level when the car is cold.
If you happen to have an older vehicle without a visible overflow and fill tank youll have to check the antifreezecoolant level by looking into the radiator. There is no dipstick or another meter to tell you whether you have enough coolant in the radiator on these older vehicles. Not only does it keep your engine cool and protect it from overheating which can cause a number of detrimental and costly problems but also allows your engine to function at its optimal level.
Heres how to check your coolant level. Open your hood and locate your radiator and coolant reservoir. Some older vehicles dont include a reservoir but most modern vehicles have a small tank for filling and checking the coolant level.
The reservoir should be clear plastic so you can easily see the level of coolant and the maximum fill line. This is a video tutorial on how to add coolantantifreezeradiator fluid to any vehicle with ease. Anyone can do this as long as you follow the instructions.
When checking your coolant level the first thing you need to know is you shouldnt check it if the engine is still hot. If your car has been running in a while your engine radiator and reservoir become very hot and you do not want to touch the reservoir cap or radiator hoses before theyre completely cooled down. There are important things about the engines coolant.
Thats why you need to know about the importance of maintaining the engine coolant at the right level. Owning a car is no easy responsibility. It is very similar to having a pet or even a kid that it requires constant check-up and of course.
Check engine coolant on cars with a reservoir 1. Let the engine cool completely as the system becomes pressurised under use. Wrap a rag over the cap and remove it.
The radiator and overflow caps absorb engine heat from the coolant. Using a rag protects you from being scalded. Place your pointer finger and middle finger from one hand together and press down on the cap while simultaneously turning the cap off with your other hand.
Your engine needs to be cold to check the engine coolant so leave it to cool down for at least 2 hours or overnight if possible. Unscrewing the engine coolant cap while the engine is hot can be dangerous pressure inside the tank can push steam out very quickly and you may scald your hand so be careful and use gloves to be on the safe side. Secure the hood with the hood rod or ensure the hood stays up on its own.
Locate the engine coolant reservoir on the left side and note the circular reservoir with a blue or black cap. Check the engine coolant level by looking at the side of the reservoir. Checking your coolant level is a relatively straightforward task and one that should be conducted at least twice each year - specifically before summer and winter seasons.
Identify the location of your coolant cap referring to the vehicles handbook should you be unable to determine the exact location.