I just did my 4th oil change (every 5K miles) and noticed that the coolant level was down to the low level mark in the overflow tank. Technician B says that the drop in the level is normal. is it normal for coolant level to drop? So, these are the most common reasons behind car coolant loss over time. I opened the hood while the truck was still running and noticed coolant level was way down. When the car is hot, you risk getting a serious burn. Except for maybe the last fill. As it sits idling the level drops a good 3-4 inches. Wednesday 25th December 2013. The coolant level should be filled between F and L marks on the side of the coolant reservoir when the engine is cool. Always pour some coolant around the internal seal before turning. Its actually in the manual. Yes, due to the extreme engine temperature, the water element within the Coolant tends to evaporate, resulting in a coolant level drop. The coolant level is correct and is not showing any sign of coolant loss. Low coolant levels or running with aged coolant are common problems that are observable in cars. Is it normal for the coolant level to drop? We'll get you back on the road if you break down. Technician A says that a drop in the coolant level in the surge tank or coolant overflow reservoir when the engine cools indicates an internal engine leak. maintain a 55-60% antifreeze level to prevent coolant boiling • Marine applications should maintain 30-60% antifreeze if the system operates above 195º SPECIFICATIONS • Conventional Coolant: 8.0 to 11 • ELC Formulation: typically 7.0 to 9.5; if pH is above 9.5, possible ELC and conventional coolant mixing • Correct cause of drop in pH I only added about one inch of coolant to the tank so I hope that's not too bad for a whole years worth of driving. Now, some of this is a difference in the coolant level in the reservoir when the pump is running and when the computer is off. Obviously, because the liquid is flowing through the system during normal operation, the level in the reservoir is going to be lower. The only time I noticed the drop in coolant level is after a long drive where engine was ECT reached the 210 degree range. Under normal circumstances, that would be an equal mix. The next time it appears low, you should top it off it to the 'max' line with some distilled water. Coolant level is normal and rad cooling fan works well both low speed and high speed depending on condition. A 1" drop in the coolant level after a year of driving is pretty standard. You can lose some coolant over time, but typically not just from a long trip. Before you top off your coolant, inspect your current coolant for any unusual coloring or contaminants. Anyone track their coolant level closely? Feb 28, 2010. #1. If should never be turned when dry. Answer (1 of 6): Not in a modern vehicle. While watching th coolant level rev the engine to 2000rpm you should see the coolant level drop momentarily and when allowed to idle it should return to normal (this means the W/P is moving coolant). Aug 9, 2009. I mentioned the 1cm+ drop to the warning level must have occurred in the last 1600km, not slowly over the last 17000km. If the car has recently overheated then this could have caused the head gasket to fail. It was found that with the engine functioning well with no leakage or damages, the coolant level should drop about 0.25" in 4 months. Answer (1 of 16): It's possible to have a hairline crack in the end tanks of your radiator. Ed B. Usually, no matter how often you take care of or keep enough cool water in your engine, the coolant level will decrease by 0.25% after 5 consecutive months of using the device. It is normal for ANY CAR to lose a slight amount of coolant over an oil change interval time period. Some will read high on a dash gauge then drop when fan (s) kick on and normal for some of those. How to check your cooling fan. Look at the color of the oil at the end of the dipstick. BTW - according to Ford, it is best to "vacuum fill" the system - so that you avoid the air pockets. The reservoir should be clear plastic, so you can easily see the level of coolant and the maximum fill line. The extra drop to the bottom of the reservoir could have been due to the recent outdoor temp drop to -7C. Tester. Mostly, the drop in liquid level is the result of problems related to the cooling system. The cooling system is letting out air when hot and running, then when it cools down it is sucking in coolant from the over flow tank instead. The coolant system in a car is a sealed system that means that the coolant level should stay even if everything works as it should. This parameter is entirely standard and actual for most types of devices today. Just so happens the "Coolant level low" came on the other day (and has persisted). Is it normal for the coolant level to drop? So its been probably 4-5 weeks since doing the flush. If the level is below the minimum line, top it up . Sep 20, 2013. This is all considered a normal part of how the cooling system works. The overall cooling system should be checked for wear and tear, cracks, and the coolant changed. Each time, i have noticed the coolant level at around the lower line. GLK350 coolant level low. When adding any liquid to your car such as Prestone coolant/antifreeze, it's important to ensure the engine has cooled before unscrewing the cap of the expansion tank as the coolant operates at around 90°C. Keep an eye on the coolant level and if it doesn't drop that's all it was. You must use a coolant that is compatible with that already in your system. I did this numerous times and for several days to remove as much of this crud with the engine hot. I added more Audi antifreeze and I haven't noticed any leaks at all. No loss is normal. Reply. Thread starter teddyboy; Start date Jul 1, 2012 . Finally, the coolant level on my 2006 Sienna, 1993 Caprice, and 1995 Dakota does not drop between changes (~3 years). Maybe it's something they see all the time and can confirm. External leakage may be any leakage in the hoses, radiator tank or throttle body (depending on the car you drive). (I check the level when motor was dead cold). Is It Normal For Coolant Level To Drop? Ways to check for head gasket failure are an exhaust sniffer test, cylinder compression test, oil sample test . No. It is normal for ANY CAR to lose a slight amount of coolant over an oil change interval time period. It could be a . Normal operation is that the level in the tank should be 2/3 full when cold; the level should rise during warm up to about 3/4 full; as the engine cools, the level in the tank should fall back down to 2/3.. Is it normal for coolant level to drop? It would be nice if someone else with a 2005+ Tacoma has noticed a slight drop in coolant tank level over a long period of time to confirm that this is probably normal. An Inside Puncture. This is was pretty odd considering I only have 16,000 miles on the car. Is it normal for coolant reservoir to go down? On both cars the level will always remain constant, near the "min" level mark. Either way it's best to get it checked out sooner rather than later. Yes, the levels will fluctuate a little bit depending on whether it's hot or cold. check your oil and see if it looks like a sonic brownie milkshake, bad head gasket. The level of the coolant ought to be between those two lines. Slight drop in the coolant level as you use your car for months is not alarming and considered to be normal. If I were to fill both to the "max" mark, within days the level would drop to just under mid-way between "min" and "max". I wasn't inspired by them - I asked them to look at another problem which would involve a road test, and they simply didn't mention it when I picked the car up. Bring the level to F, but do not overfill. Re: Engine overheating with coolant level normal. The dealer service dept told me that this is normal. It doesn't seem normal to drop to if you filled it to max when the engine when cold, all those extra coolant is just going to spill over when the engine is hot, so you will be. While towing a load and climbing a grade, the pressure might climb to 9 or 10 psi max, but I have never seen higher than 10 psi, even while applying heavy throttle. The dealership performed a pressure test and said it was normal but that they removed an air lock inside the system. That causes the coolant to spill out of the system, causing a drastic drop in the liquid level. The most common cause of a coolant leak is a bad radiator cap, bad radiator fans, and loose radiator hose clamps. I have both an AU2 Futura and an NA Fairlane. Low Coolant May Not Always Indicate a Leak in Your Radiator At the same time, the constant spillage of the coolant will affect the engine head gasket. The coolant level will drop doing this, so you will have to add more coolant each time you get done. I would have the oil checked for any coolant contamination, it might not hurt to replace the radiator cap if it's not holding pressure. Yes, due to the extreme engine temperature, the water element within the Coolant tends to evaporate, resulting in a coolant level drop. What we don't know is what the level was before your trip and how long it had been since any coolant was added. They told me that it was normal for a coolant level to drop over time and that I should simply keep an eye on the levels. After the flush, i have noticed the coolant level will drop a little now and then, which i know is normal until all the air is purged out of the system. However, if there is a rapid drop in the coolant level, it is best to get it checked by a mechanic. In case of an external leakage, the dripping coolant forms a puddle . Check under the carpet where the coolant reservoir is located to ensure that it's dry and that the reservoir cap is firmly screwed down. 2. That's normal. Does mild coolant level drop signal coolant in oil. Aug 8, 2008. I did not check it myself but they said they topped it off and it *IS* normal for the engine to consume small amounts of coolant and oil. If you maintain the proper range cold you won't have to worry about trying to keep it at a set mark. They were still doing the pressure test at 1655 when I phoned . Under normal road testing without a load, the maximum pressure reading I can build on the coolant pressure gauge is 6-8 psi. In winters, coolant aids in lowering the freezing point and, in turn, increasing the boiling point of the liquid, thus the name "antifreeze." Why Is Coolant Disappearing From Reservoir Secretively? #1. "So I've been checking my coolant level via the reservoir once a week since posting this thread." "So in total--after aprox. Buy breakdown cover. Yes, it is common for the coolant level to drop in your car, both due to use and other issues like coolant leakages. Few now, fixed fans, belt driven and or most with non transverse engines (means sideways) as in front is to one side not front of vehicle do NOT usually. Check the coolant level at each fuel stop. What I do think is "normal" is that some Atlases came with a low-fill from the factory and need a top-up or two to get them correct. It is normal that, whether you keep enough coolant in your car, the level will drop at least 0.25% every 5 months without any damage or leakage. A coolant level drop can be caused by various things, going from ineffectively fixed hose clasps, worn hoses, or a box of rogue interstate nails that transformed your radiator into Swiss cheese. I have been observing the engine coolant level drop slowly for the last 10K miles. If the coolant level is low, add the correct coolant to the reservoir (not the radiator itself). As the coolant moves between the engine block, the radiator, and the reservoir bottle, there are chances of losing a portion of it - especially if it vaporizes. Yes, due to the degree of a running engine temperature, a small amount of coolant tends to drop through vapor. Evaporation from the expansion tank is usually why you add coolant. Assorted cooling systems out there. Unfortunately, cars are not always known for being problem-free, and therefore problems can occur that cause the coolant level to drop. It is normal to lose a small amount of coolant over time. In this manner, is it normal for coolant level to drop? I will continue to watch the coolant level to see if there is any additional drop. When I run extreme hot, I'm usually at the max line. Cooling fans in car engines should start up automatically. Check the coolant level on the outside of the reservoir while the engine is cool. These can rapidly change your grocery run into a popped hood, steam burping, tow-truck necessitating day. About a week after driving the car I got a low coolant level warning appear on the dash. 1. If its only a small rise in the fluid level of the . I don't know weather this is normal or not. If the coolant level is going down, and there is no external leak evident, then it's probably leaking internally, into the engine. As the coolant spillage continues, it affects the head gasket, and all this results in the engine malfunctioning. Also, due to the availability of an overflow reservoir, which makes one end of the Coolant open, tends to spill out extra Coolant or jump Coolant out of the system. As the general temperature of all coolant reaches a normal, the pressure increases slightly due to the hotter temperature and a little steam. Should i bring this to the attention of a dealer? I really had not checked the coolant level much this summer other then a passing glance. The cooling system is sealed and should not change levels at all. You only lose coolant from a leak. 2" below the max. If your engine is cold, the coolant level should be up to the cold fill line. This will cause the coolant fluid levels to drop without any noticeable leaks under the coolant reservoir, hoses or radiator. Between min and max is a wide range. How much coolant loss is normal? Click to see full answer. Low coolant levels or running with aged coolant are common problems that are observable in cars. BlueDevil Pro on June 21, 2021 at 8:30 am. It will do this until there is no more air left in the system. during the past few colder months, I've noticed that the coolant level in my reservoir tank drops between half an inch to an inch below the "cold fill level" mark(on the reservoir tank) per about 1200 miles. Tester - Thank you. I'll keep an eye on it, of course. As I said the "cold", which is the "min" level is the important indicator. There is a black bar at the back of the reservoir and you want the coolant to be atleast half way covering the black bar. Again, this is normal! I will check the oil to see if I notice any change in color or texture. Water pumps will leak by design just before they fail. If the level is close to or lower than the "LOW" level mark, add coolant up to the "FULL" level mark. Coolant comes in a range of colors, so it's normal for it to be red, blue, yellow or green. Does coolant level go up or down when hot? Normally you set a coolant level in the plastic spherical coolant reservoir to between the min and max line markings when the engine is cold. An old engine is another reason for excessive coolant burn. My wife and I have checked the coolant level with each fuel fill. 5h. I think I'll call a couple of Toyota dealers tomorrow to see what they think. You have to keep the liquid at the required level. Coolant loss is never normal - it's a closed system so it is either going 1) out internally through combustion i.e. If it has it could be leaking coolant into the combustion chambers. It took maybe 12-16 oz of coolant to reach that level. Also, due to the availability of an overflow reservoir, which makes one end of the Coolant open, tends to spill out extra Coolant or jumping Coolant out of the system. If you're going to inspect the fluid inside the radiator visually, wait until the engine is cooled down before you remove the radiator cap. Coolant loss is very typical in a car, but How much coolant loss is normal? Coolant is like power steering fluid in the sense of it is not consumed/used. your water pump leak. There's a COLD/MIN label on the tank indicating the ideal antifreeze level when the engine is cold. We didn't see any drop. Is this normal for a wide range of operating temp for this type of small car? Yes, due to the extreme engine temperature, the water element within the Coolant tends to evaporate, resulting in a coolant level drop. The causes of coolant loss can be serious from a cracked head gasket to minor as a leaky hose. Since I've put new coolant in back in 12/12 when I bought the car, I haven't had to add a drop to the system since I've had it (except when I had a small drip from the lower hose due to a loose clamp), and the level always stays at the bottom of the "MAX" mark. When it heats up the level goes up a bit. A sudden drop in the levels should ring an alarm. Also, the overflow tank isn't really an accurate way of telling if you are losing coolant. Well, I had my level at the max marking when cold, and when the engine got to normal temperature, the pressurization sent the coolant level DOWN . Each fuel Stop is it normal for coolant level to drop? and should not change levels at all engine head gasket, the... 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