Checking the coolant level

[Tonka]

Hi there, I've searched, but can anyone tell me what the correct procedure is for checking the coolant level in the 2.4 Diesel Surf? My temp guage is veering towards the red when I slow down and I'm at work and need to get home!

Many thanks

Jon

[Howard the Hilux]

This may not be the definitive answer but it'll be close;

With the engine cold the water should be up to the top of the rad cap neck - and then some in the expansion tank so as it expands and contracts no air gets in.

So take off the rad cap have a look in there, and at the expansion tank (to the right on 3L diesels). If no water in your rad top that up with coolant (preferably) then drive steady and it should get you home.

When cold again check the level if it's gone down loads then you may have a leak. Also look at your oil filler cap and dip stick - if it looks like mayo it generally means your head gasket has gone and the water is getting in with the oil.

Hope it just needs some coolant. Good luck

[Tonka]

Many thanks for the reply, I'll go and do that now. I seem to remember before that you're supposed to check for coolant under the thermostat in the engine too, or am I mistaken! Anyway, wish me luck, I'm off home!!

Cheers

Jon

[Tonka]

OK, got it home, many thanks. I've now got access to a proper computer so I can search the forum better, so maybe now I'll find out....the rad cap on mine is on top of the block and so you're not filing the radiator up.....

Thanks again.

[BarraSSRX]

Let it cool down several hours if it's been hot before doing anything
Check for any leaks around cooling hoses and radiator
When it's cold after several hours or tommorow morning and you open the rad cap, if it sucks in air then it's not getting coolant from the reservoir / through the rad cap
If it has coolant up to the rad cap (which I doubt from your trouble) then maybe the coolant is old and needs replacement
Check the rad cap / reservoir pipes

[Tonka]

Right I'll check it in the morning too, but right now I need to get the levels up. What's the correct way to fill it up - the cap being on the engine side - how is the rad filled? I've put quite a bit in, can't fill it any more as the level is up under the cap now and I've put some in the overflow tank?

Many thanks.

[BarraSSRX]

Had the overflow tank emptied? it should have had a good level if it was hot - expanded liquid - rad would release coolant into overflow and it wouldn't have gone back from overflow bottle until all cooled down, and if it had it wouldn't require filling up so much as you say.
Sounds like you've a leak somewhere, maybe split in the rad, shine a torch around the top of the rad at the seam and see if any liquid there or dripping down either side of rad, check around clips on hose under rad and others.
If you've filled it up to just under cap and topped the overflow bottle then you may still have an air lock in it, put your heaters onto hot position and squeeze the heater hoses at top rear of engine compartment, the level at the rad should move when you squeeze the heater hoses, maybe drop if airlock released.
When you run it, should burp itself of air through the rad cap and overflow, if not too bad, try driving it (rad cap on) with heaters set to hot (front and rear heaters) for 5 minutes easy going, resting on a hill facing upward for a couple of those mintues to raise any air from heating system into rad cap area... then let cool for a couple of hours and top up again at cap.
If rad cap is not working it will cause big problems, check rubber seal is not swollen further than the metal it's mounted to, as can stick, if old rad cap replace it...

[Tonka]

I don't think the overflow tank had completely emptied, but there wasn't much in there. It needed about 4-5 litres of coolant altogether and a couple of litres of oil. I haven't been checking it as regularly as I should have been to be honest and I just hope I've got away with it.

So, I had a look around and there may be a slow leak from the rad - difficult to say though as the whole engine bay is quite wet with all the standing water around today! I'll check it again in the morning and keep topping it up. I've taken it for a run since topping it all up and the temperature seemed to be more stable.

Many thanks to all for your help, much appreciated. Must get around to giving the Surf a full service in the New Year.

[BarraSSRX]

That would explain the overheating, that's half the cooling system empty as it only takes 10 litres, so the head at top of engine was without much coolant and probably full of steam, I'd take it very easy and keep an eye on both coolant and oil for a few days until you find out if you got away with it, if you do lose more coolant don't top it up until it has cooled down, good luck with all