Coolant Change.

[matt9566]

Right, I apologise as i know there has been a few threads about this before, but they don't fully answer my questions and I have looked to the How-to section.
I've noticed my coolant level is nearly at the minimum line so want to top it up however I haven't done this since owning the car so don't want to risk mixing coolants.
How much would it be at a garage for it doing ? or is it just worth giving it ago myself ? I've seen brief instructions on other threads but not ones from start to finish.
I know it isn't the hardest of tasks but i'm not over confident doing it.

Would be massively be appreciated if someone could give some instructions ?

Thanks!

 

[The ANT]

I would just top it up myself.

 

[Foxspeed]

you can buy after market coolant that mixes with all types...

 

[matt9566]

Cheers, I'll have a look for some and top it up for now then.. Just didn't want to be doing any damage to the car.

 

[Chrisgti6]

If it's only a small amount then just water would be fine. Distilled preferably.

Worth keeping an eye on it too, the cooling sytem shouldn't really 'lose' any coolant. If the level has dropped it must have gone somewhere.

 

[matt9566]

[MENTION=4181]Chrisgti6[/MENTION] Thanks, It wasn't much so like you said I just topped up with water for now.. However this is the second time in the last couple of months that i've noticed this. Should I be getting it looked at ? Should I be checking the level with the engine hot, cold, running ?

 

[Jimmy]

This might be a very long shot Matt, however I recently I had to have my thermostat housing replaced as it had developed a leak and was dumping coolant. I'm not saying that this is what is causing yours to lose fluids, but thought it was worth mentioning

 

[matt9566]

[MENTION=51111]jimmyd81[/MENTION] Thanks for that mate, I'll get it in to my local garage next week and mention what you've said.. Know the guy there so will get him to give it a good look over. They did my timing belt and water pump etc not that long ago.. Could it be anything to do with that ?
There isn't a lot of water missing, just looked yesterday and it was a bit above minimum and I could swear I only topped it up a few weeks back.

 

[Jimmy]

Well I thought it would be worth letting you know what had happened with mine I couldn't say about the change of the belt having an effect, though someone else may be able to offer their opinion on that.

I lost quite a lot of fluid out of mine, but I think that was over a period of time. It's a starting point anyway for your mechanic to have a look at.

 

[Chrisgti6]

It is entirely possible that it's the waterpump housing, if that was changed at the same time as the belt. Either way, you need to get to the bottom of it before it gets worse.

Also, always check the level whilst cold and engine off.

 

[Mike61]

I had my belts and water pump replaced a week ago
Have used approx 1/3 ltr of coolant (leeking) per 100 miles, from the drivers side, wet subframe at the front, a pool gathers in the undertay
Work done by SC Automotive
Booked into Renault stockport thursday to get it checked and repaired (at my expense)
To me and the AA it looks like the waterpump, shows up when driving

 

[montana]

I had my belts and water pump replaced a week ago
Have used approx 1/3 ltr of coolant (leeking) per 100 miles, from the drivers side, wet subframe at the front, a pool gathers in the undertay
Work done by SC Automotive
Booked into Renault stockport thursday to get it checked and repaired (at my expense)
To me and the AA it looks like the waterpump, shows up when driving

Take it back to the place you had your belts done first. I wouldn't be taking it anywhere near Renault either

 

[Mike61]

The AA took it back to SC told them it was leeking
They had it for a 2 days and told me their was no leek
Told me that they where not going to do strip it down
How many times can i take it back to be told their is no leek
How long can i leave it, i cannot, so its of to renault, tough on me

 

[montana]

The AA took it back to SC told them it was leeking
They had it for a 2 days and told me their was no leek
Told me that they where not going to do strip it down
How many times can i take it back to be told their is no leek
How long can i leave it, i cannot, so its of to renault, tough on me

Ok, so if there is a definite physical leak as you and AA say, how are they arguing there isnt a leak?

Birchdown are in Cheshire and a well respected specialist, take it there instead.

http://www.birchdown.com/contact.html

 

[Mike61]

Exactly, how are they
They just dont want to see it.
It does not appear to leak with the engine running will you stand their watching
It appears to leak, collect and spray the underside of the car when its being driven.
So they say its not leaking and now the loop repeats.

 

[montana]

I would Jack it up and run the engine and try and 100% locate the source of the leak yourself before going any further.