Refilling your coolant is a fairly simple car maintenance task you can do yourself, as long as you follow the right steps. Before you start, always make sure your engine is switched off and cool. Your coolant reservoir should be labelled, and they are usually translucent plastic.
When should you refill radiator coolant?
Refilling the fluid antifreeze or coolant is something you should only do when the engine is cool. Don’t attempt to handle this right after the vehicle has been driven. Coolant systems are pressurized, which means the reservoir is very dangerous to open while it’s hot. Just wait until the engine is cool.
What is a vacuum fill system and how does it refill the cooling system?
The vacuum filling system is equipped with a vacuum pneumatic pump which creates a depression inside the container. Once the pre-set level is achieved, the product in excess is collected in a recovery tank and afterwards it can be sent again to the processing system, before filling.
Can I mix new coolant with old?
Some people believe that they can mix the two. This is a mistake and can lead to expensive repairs. The two coolants should never be mixed together as they do not react well. When mixed together they can form a thick, jelly-like substance that can completely stop all coolant flow which can lead to overheating.
Should I run my engine after adding coolant?
Yes, run the engine After you do any work involved with draining the coolant you will either have an exact process to remove air from the cooling system or you will simply run the engine. If you don’t the gasses (air) will expand at a greater rate than liquid when the engine get’s hot.
What happens if there is air in the coolant system?
When there’s air inside the cooling system, coolant won’t be able to reach the critical components of your engine like the cylinder heads; thus, increasing the risk of overheating.
Will cooling system bleed itself?
Will a cooling system bleed itself? Your coolant system can bleed some between the overflow tank and thermostat. However, to properly bleed, you need to fill the coolant and run the car with the radiator cap off.
