For the last several weeks, I've been getting low coolant message. I checked it each time, and added some coolant to the overflow resevoir, even though it didn't appear to be that low.
I was on my way to San Francisco on a fast road, doing about 80 or so when I noticed that my temp gauge was approaching the red mark. After a couple of minutes the alarm went off. I pulled over and had to wait for the car to cool off. After it did, I started home, but overheated again almost immediately. I took the overflow tank cap off. This worked by keeping the temp low because ther was no pressure, and though the temp was consistently high, I was able to get home.
I took it to my local mechanic, who diagnosed the thermostat, which seemed right to me, so I had it replaced. After that, I started to get low coolant messages again. The second time it happened, I parked it in my driveway and added coolant through the crossover at the top of the engine. I could see it fill up the overflow, and it looked full, so I closed it off and went on my merry way. Two days later I got another low coolant message. This time I added a gallon of distilled water (all I had at the time), again through the crossover. Once more it seemed to be full. The first time I added coolant, I didn't have the engine running, the second time, with distilled water, I did have the engine running, but didn't see any burping, as if there were big air bubbles in it. The coolant just flowed from both sides of the overflow, and down to the thermostat assembley. Everything seemed fine, so I buttoned it up and went my way.
Last night, I got another low coolant warning.
WHat have I been doing wrong? Do I need to keep the engine running until it's completely warm all the while dumping coolant into it? So far, it seems as though it's been full when I do that. Is there an indicator that I have the thing really full? Or is something else possibly going on here. I suppose I should have the heater running when I fill it, but is there anything else I'm missing?
Thanks in advance.
I was on my way to San Francisco on a fast road, doing about 80 or so when I noticed that my temp gauge was approaching the red mark. After a couple of minutes the alarm went off. I pulled over and had to wait for the car to cool off. After it did, I started home, but overheated again almost immediately. I took the overflow tank cap off. This worked by keeping the temp low because ther was no pressure, and though the temp was consistently high, I was able to get home.
I took it to my local mechanic, who diagnosed the thermostat, which seemed right to me, so I had it replaced. After that, I started to get low coolant messages again. The second time it happened, I parked it in my driveway and added coolant through the crossover at the top of the engine. I could see it fill up the overflow, and it looked full, so I closed it off and went on my merry way. Two days later I got another low coolant message. This time I added a gallon of distilled water (all I had at the time), again through the crossover. Once more it seemed to be full. The first time I added coolant, I didn't have the engine running, the second time, with distilled water, I did have the engine running, but didn't see any burping, as if there were big air bubbles in it. The coolant just flowed from both sides of the overflow, and down to the thermostat assembley. Everything seemed fine, so I buttoned it up and went my way.
Last night, I got another low coolant warning.
WHat have I been doing wrong? Do I need to keep the engine running until it's completely warm all the while dumping coolant into it? So far, it seems as though it's been full when I do that. Is there an indicator that I have the thing really full? Or is something else possibly going on here. I suppose I should have the heater running when I fill it, but is there anything else I'm missing?
Thanks in advance.