Coolant Issue

AmBo · Nov 7, 2005

I had my coolant fluid exchanged at Lube Express on Friday. Come Saturday my coolant light came on. I know a lot of people have problems with the floater (thanks to the wonderful "Search" button) but I checked the coolant level up front and it's about an inch below the line that reads "Add Coolant". So I'm sure it's safe to assume that they didn't put enough coolant in when they swapped it...

Now my next questions is what should I top it off with? Distilled water? More coolant?

Also, is it safe to take off that cap even though it reads "DO NOT OPEN HOT"? Can't I just let the engine completely cool down and then open it?

Kilgore Trout · Nov 7, 2005

You can add either distilled water or coolant. You should get a coolant tester to determine which would be best. Or you can just add some of one or the other, should not hurt...

You can remove the cap after the engine has cooled down for about a half hour or so. Use a rag to turn the cap just in case, the rag will protect your hand...

Also throw 1-2 bottles of Red Line water wetter in there, it works well

AmBo · Nov 7, 2005

Kilgore you are my hero.

Ok, so use distilled water and top it off to the "Add Coolant" line?

Kilgore Trout · Nov 7, 2005

Should be fine to add distilled water... Ideally, you want to hit a 50/50 or 60/40 mix... If you had a coolant tester you would know which to add towards that mix ratio... If not you should be ok to wing it...

AmBo · Nov 7, 2005

Grrr...I guess I'll just pour in some distilled water...what's the worst that could happen? :-X

Kilgore Trout · Nov 7, 2005

Coolant tester is only a few bucks...

AmBo · Nov 7, 2005

Oh? Hmmmm...Maybe I'll have to go pick one of those up...

Kilgore Trout · Nov 7, 2005

http://www.bullittarchive.com/html/modules/articles/article.php?id=72

http://www.bullittarchive.com/html/modules/articles/article.php?id=20

AmBo · Nov 7, 2005

YOu love BullitArchive! Thanks!

DropTopPony · Nov 7, 2005

distilled water hmmm i only use that in my humidor. For topping of coolant...the garden hose works just fine Or you could go buy some 50/50 pre-mix.

AmBo · Nov 7, 2005

Which would you do bro?

DropTopPony · Nov 7, 2005

I guess if your anal you could use distilled water but do you think they have a distilled water supply at the dealership? Or do you think its faucet/hose water....just top it off with some tap water..you'll be fine.

AmBo · Nov 7, 2005

I was refering to water vs. 50/50 pre-mix.

Kilgore Trout · Nov 7, 2005

+1 hose water is fine...

TenaciousD · Nov 7, 2005

yeah I have to top mine up soon, I really want to drain it and refill the whole thing but the car is too low for me to get under, I might try jacking it up from one side, letting in drain and then doing the other side to try and get it all out. I posted a thread a while ago about coolent flush but alot of people said the experienced leaks after they had it done.

40th GT · Nov 7, 2005

Since we're on the subject of coolant, I'll ask a question here instead of making a whole new thread: Draining the radiator drains less than half of what the engine sees. I heard there is a coolant drain plug on the block? Can anyone explain?

stang217 · Nov 7, 2005

i would just top it off w/ more coolant... and as far as te do not open when hot... thats exactly what it means... when it's hot, don't open it... when the engine isn't hot u can open it

bdcardinal · Nov 7, 2005

there are drain plugs on either side of the block. they are hex plugs and one is next to teh dipstick, the other is in a similar place on the other side of the block. draining the radiator does not get the crap that is stuck in the bottom of the block out. i would only really top off with water wetter if you are going to use pure water. when i build up my motor i will only run water and water wetter. im sure the track will appreciate that if god forbid i send a connecting rod through my motor in a braking zone.

AmBo · Nov 14, 2005

UPDATE!!!!!!****

Okay, I topped off my coolant. *DING!* Light comes on and off as it pleases...randomly...I'm beginning to think its my floater. Any other ideas?

Disturbed One · Nov 14, 2005

After I had my coolant exchanged out last year the coolant light would come on in the mornings when it was really cool outside for about a minute then shut off after I've drove it around. If yours is going on and off you may have an air bubble in the system they didn't get out and that's causing the light go on and off. Should take it back and ask them to purge the system just to double check and make sure all the air is out of the system.

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