Coolant Levels

[DriftEightSix]

Hey,

I have just checked over my car and noticed that I have just passed the low level for the coolant.

The car has done 11261 KMs, had the car since July.

Wondering if any one who has had their first 15000km service check what level their coolant is at please.

Want to know if this is normal.

I have checked for leaks or funny colours over the radiatior area nothing.

No drips or anything like that.

[ahausheer]

It was either low from the factory, its slowly leaking (or boiling over?), or you have a blown head gasket or cracked block. Probably a slow leak somewhere. Does the underside of your oil cap or oil look like chocolate milk or contaminated oil?

[Nafe]

Simple question.... did you check it cold or hot??
The above post is a bit dramatic.

[ahausheer]

Dramatic? It can only be one of those three options (leaking, burning in motor, or never properly filled). Cold or hot it should never be below the low line.

[Nafe]

Coolant expands when hot and contracts when cold. The level will be lower when cold. If it is below the low level when hot, then you need to top it up/investigate. If it is between the low and high mark when hot, no problem....Simple.
Slow leak... Highly unlikely, but possible. Cracked block or blown HG?? The chances of that are next to zero....

[luv85]

I did 10000KM and my coolant was also below Low..
When I first got it, it was above High when hot and now between low and high when hot. When cold, it was near High mark and now below Low.
So coolant level definitely decreased.
I bought coolant from Subaru (5L for $104) and topped it up so its above low when cold.. I'll take it to dealer after new years..

[JesseE]

Its 100% normal, just top it off to the middle between low and high...

Most cars do this

[DriftEightSix]

Originally Posted by Nafe

Simple question.... did you check it cold or hot??
The above post is a bit dramatic.

Always checked at cold.

I have only really checked it on the day i got the car :s 6 months a go and yesterday cause i was giving the car a really good clean in the bay department.

[DriftEightSix]

Originally Posted by ahausheer

Cold or hot it should never be below the low line.

That is what I thought too :s

[Nafe]

If it is just below the low mark cold you have no reason to worry. take it for a good drive, get it up to temperature and then check

[DriftEightSix]

Originally Posted by Nafe

If it is just below the low mark cold you have no reason to worry. take it for a good drive, get it up to temperature and then check

what counts as just below? 1 mil - 1 cm? - 2cm?

as it was a good 2cm below.

I have topped it up with water but i have marked where the level is at i will take it for a drive shortly and see where it sits when i stop.

[Nafe]

There is not exact amount... As I said, take it for a drive, get it to temp and then see where it is.... coolant contracts when cold... Don't stress about it dude.

[DriftEightSix]

So I had topped it up to 1/2 when cold.

now it is running at full when at temp. sweet. so that should've made it around 1/2 when at temp when below /low line.

[ahausheer]

The real issue is/was not coolant level. Its where did the coolant go? Im sure the full and low line include a large safety margin but the coolant should not go below the cool line ever even when cold. Now that the op has filled it (with the right coolant type I hope) just monitor the level over the next few weeks taking thermal expansion into consideration. If no change than nothing to worry about. If it goes down you must get it checked.