Coolant reservoir question?

Question

I was checking my car's coolant for the first time ever.

I was first displeased to find that the cap wasn't even snapped on.

I looked into the reservoir to make sure there was no debris or oil in the coolant. Check.

I went to look to see if the coolant was filled to the correct level. Unfortunately, I couldn't find any fill lines, or any markings of any kind on the reservoir. Plus, the bottom-half of the reservoir was coated in a grimy, black liquid. It looks like the liquid spilled out of a different reservoir a few inches away. I could see this different reservoir had overflowed at some point in the past. It just has a black cap on it, and grimy liquid spilt down the sides. I'm not sure what's in it. I could probably try cleaning them both off with some de-greaser and paper towels.

On the coolant reservoir, besides not seeing any fill markings, I can't even see the coolant itself when looking from the side. So I can't make sure it's the right color either.

Answer 1

make sure the engine is cold and take off the reservoir and clean the outside. You could pour the coolant into another container to check the color and clarity and clean the inside of the reservoir out as well. Sometimes just a little water and vigorous shaking a couple times will clean it up enough to see thru. If the coolant from the reservoir is clean and green, you can pour it back into the reservoir. If its not, dispose of properly and fill it up with 50/50 mixture of anti-freeze and water.

If the coolant is oily or dirty, I'd go a step further and check the coolant in the radiator. Make sure it is not contaminated as well.

Answer 2

It sounds like a good time to do a flush and fill of the cooling system. The black stuff in the bottom of the coolant resevoir is usually from internal engine rust or corrosion including cast iron and aluminum. The anti-corrosion properties of the antifreeze deteriorate with age so it is necessary to change the antifreeze as often as recommended or every two years with the older green antifreeze. Always use distilled water when adding coolant.

If there is no recognizable fill or full line then just make certain that there is coolant in the reservoir when the engine is cold. As long as there is coolant left in the reservoir when the engine is stone cold, you know the radiator and cooling system is full.
For many newer cars with a plastic tank the seam that joins the two halves is a good full when hot line.

Good Luck!

Answer 3

Coolant reservoirs generally have "High" and "Low" markings.

You didn't mention if your cooling system has only a reservoir or if it has both a reservoir and a radiator cap. (some cars have only the reservoir and the radiator has no cap - it's a direct connection to the reservoir.

In either case, if the reservoir is empty, your engine may be seriously low on coolant. Before you run that engine again, fill that reservoir at least half full of coolant (a mix of antifreeze and water), or just water if you have nothing else. Don't worry about the grime, that's the least of your problems.

Answer 4

And the question is ? I would take to recovery tank off and wash it inside and out, then you will see a marking for the high and low marks.

Answer 5

all i can tell you to do is flush the system and refill with new antifreeze and somehow clean the reservoir

Answer 6

the colour is with the aid of the fact its have been given antifreeze interior the water to provide up the gadget from freezing up in iciness so in case you like a ideal up purchase antifreeze and it properly inform you on your purchase what ratio of water and antifreeze to apply.

Answer 7

Well, a little pertinent information would be handy. Such as year, make,model of your car,or truck, or SUV or whatever, but if you want assistance, we(the forum) need to know this information.

Answer 8

this is not a complaint forum, so less complaining and more details such as what kind of vehicle is this?