Is coolant level supposed to move?

  1. Saxperience Addict Joined: Jan 2008 west london Posts: 13810
    #1
    These days ive been randomly checking my coolant level on a cold engine (as i changed the radiator a few weeks ago) and i keep finding that one day the level is below the minimum, so i fill it up a tiny bit. And other days its right at the top by the cap! it keeps on fluctuating from below min, to over maximum? why could this be, is it supposed to do that? ive bled the system, so dont think theres anymore air in it as i cant hear a water running noise behind the dash and the heaters still work. is this normal/anything to worry about?
  2. Frequent Poster Joined: Oct 2010 Weston super mare / Wareham dorset Posts: 535 106 1.4 quiksilver
    #2
    i had this i found it was a load of air trapped in my radiator so undone the small bleed cap slightly and air was pouring out for about 2 minutes lol
  3. Established Member Joined: Oct 2010 Rednal Posts: 1943 Vauxhall Vectra VW Golf Mk4 Honda Prelude
    #3
    Bleed the system and see if it stops, if not there is obv another problem... Ill keep an eye on this thread see what happens.
  4. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Aug 2008 The wrong carpark Posts: 5152 Xantia 1.9TD
    #4
    definately some sort of airlock. give it a good bleed :Y:
  5. Saxperience Addict Joined: Jan 2008 west london Posts: 13810
    #5
    ahh brilliant

    its such a bastard to bleed. i thought i had it all
  6. Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Dec 2007 smurfland. Posts: 17346 Ex saxo owner.
    #6
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by LSOfreak View Post
    ahh brilliant

    its such a bastard to bleed. i thought i had it all
    Just keep on bleeding till all the air is out mate.


    Steve.
  7. Saxperience Addict Joined: Jan 2008 west london Posts: 13810
    #7
    i just went out to bleed it. did it to the best i could so ill have to see. i snapped the thermostat bleed screw just now what a bastard that was. i used a screw from my mates 106gti coil pack cover to replace it lol
  8. Established Member Joined: Oct 2009 West Mids Posts: 1847 Peugeot 106 1.1
    #8
    Make sure you check the level ALWAYS on a cold engine so you are consistant. If I check mine on a warm engine, its on max, but when checking it on a cold engine its about two thirds up between min and max.
  9. Saxperience Addict Joined: Jan 2008 west london Posts: 13810
    #9
    alright nice one
  10. Established Member Joined: Oct 2009 West Mids Posts: 1847 Peugeot 106 1.1
    #10
    Just thought I'd add when I changed my coolant, even though all 3 bleed points were running with water, for the next few days the water level was low after going for a drive. Every time I pulled up and checked, the level was low, so there must have been air in the system.

    Its been over a year since I flushed the coolant, and the level hasn't moved since, just one of those things lol
  11. Saxperience Addict Joined: Jan 2008 west london Posts: 13810
    #11
    so when you kept finding it low, did you keep topping it up or did you keep bleeding it?
  12. Established Member Joined: Oct 2009 West Mids Posts: 1847 Peugeot 106 1.1
    #12
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by LSOfreak View Post
    so when you kept finding it low, did you keep topping it up or did you keep bleeding it?
    I kept topping it up on about 4 occasions, then 1 day the level remained constant. Must have pushed all the air out of the system, then as I say its stayed just under max for well over a year now.
  13. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 6640 Integra DC5R & VTS
    #13
    It's a sealed system, so once you've bled all the air out, the level shouldn't move.