Can't See the Engine Coolant Level

[sosilver]

After listening to my engine start sounding rougher and rougher over the past couple of months, I finally figured I needed engine coolant fast. Because I had to drive, I just grabbed a Prestone All Makes All Models 50/50 (color is a pale green) and poured some in. Car starts and sounds better already.

BUT, this morning I'm double checking to finish the fill and I can't even see the level of the liquid coolant through the white plastic of the engine coolant tank.

Does that mean my coolant level is so low, I just gotta keep adding till I finally will see the coolant liquid through the plastic? Or is it just really hard to see the coolant through the plastic? How can I tell when I've topped off with enough coolant?

Can anyone offer some basic practical advice on this?

[racer12306]

The light green of the all makes all models coolant will be difficult to see. There are two lines on the tank. When the engine is cold you should fill it to the lower line. When the engine is hot then the coolant should be at the top line.

Sometimes shining a flashlight in the opening helps see where the level is.


moving to engine.

[sosilver]

Thanks. What happened is I just had to watch carefully as I poured (used a funnel too) then I could see the coolant level moving and splashing and so I filled to about 1/4 inch over the ADD line.

My only flashlight is just about dead anyway.

Thanks again.

[latief]

Bounce the car, and you will see the coolant level....

that's what i do

[silentneon01]

I use a flash light as well.

[kstevens91]

yea that is a pain in the ass to check without a flashlight or something lol

[fixitmattman]

I found with mine I had to remove and clean the overflow reservoir because there was so much dirt in it.

[occasional demons]

I found with mine I had to remove and clean the overflow reservoir because there was so much dirt in it.

That should be part of the cooling system maintenance when the sytem is flushed, and coolant replaced at the "scheduled" interval.

[Paul56]

BUT, this morning I'm double checking to finish the fill and I can't even see the level of the liquid coolant through the white plastic of the engine coolant tank.

Agreed, it is difficult to see the level in the reservoir... even more so if the sun is shining.

Hold the neck of the filler with your fingers and gently shake the tank a bit... if you look at the reservoir you should see some movement that will point to where the level is.

If your coolant is disappearing rapidly you may want to start investigating where it is going... because that is not normal.

[aperson]

I just take the flashlight I keep in my car and put it to the side of the reservoir and find the difference between where the fluid is and where it isn't.

[neilsgarage]

The coolant level may be low, the coolant reservoir may be opaque, or there may be a leak in the cooling system.

[Midnight_Rider]

Holy thread resurrection, Batman!