Engine Warning Light & Low Coolant

[astrobhoy]

I have a D4d 2.0 Diesel 54 plate, and just recently the engine warning light came on. I checked the oil which was fine, and checked the coolant and discovered it to be VERY low - much to my shame I hadn't bothered to check it since it's last full service in September!

Will I need to flush out the existing coolant, or basically top up? Is this more than likely the cause of the engine warning light to come on, and I take it if I sort out the coolant, the warning light should go off - or will it need to be reset at a dealer?

Any advice, even on what coolant to go for (Halfords?!!) then I would be very appreciative.

Thanks

[Thermal]

That depends on how low "VERY low" is.

The engine warning light is merely a "flag" to draw your attention to a problem.

What exactly the problem is, is stored in the onboard computer and can be determined with a code reader device.

If the coolant level is very low in the expansion tank, just fill it up with the coolant prescribed in the car's user guide.

If "VERY low" in the sense of no fluid left in the expansion tank, the cooling system might as well be almost empty and probably leaking somewhere.

In any case, I would have it topped up ASAP and then have it checked with a code reader to see what the real problem is.

After topping up, the engine check light may go off, but the error code remains stored.

Engines should not "consume" their coolant.

If the fluid disappears, there is either a leak or the head gasket is on its way out.

[astrobhoy]

thanks Thermal,

I stopped by Halfords this morning and picked up the ready made coolant, so added that. As I said, the coolant levels were even below the 'LOW' level marker. Have topped it up, and then switched on the engine and let it sit running for about 5 minutes, the engine warning light still on though unfortunately.

Perhaps if I drive it for a short time it will disappear, but most likely have to take to get diagnosed anyway.

Toyota quoted £67 to do it, and my regular mechanic who doesn't have the facitlities passed me onto another place who do that kind of diagnostic check for about £55. Might make more sense to take it to Toyota though.

[igormus]

I have a D4d 2.0 Diesel 54 plate, and just recently the engine warning light came on. I checked the oil which was fine, and checked the coolant and discovered it to be VERY low - much to my shame I hadn't bothered to check it since it's last full service in September!

Will I need to flush out the existing coolant, or basically top up? Is this more than likely the cause of the engine warning light to come on, and I take it if I sort out the coolant, the warning light should go off - or will it need to be reset at a dealer?

Any advice, even on what coolant to go for (halfords?!!) then I would be very appreciative.

Thanks

hi mate

normally the coolant is changed in 2 years to be assured of its performance in winter themps.

please conside what is better to top up or change it???

cheers/Igor

[astrobhoy]

I have a D4d 2.0 Diesel 54 plate, and just recently the engine warning light came on. I checked the oil which was fine, and checked the coolant and discovered it to be VERY low - much to my shame I hadn't bothered to check it since it's last full service in September!

Will I need to flush out the existing coolant, or basically top up? Is this more than likely the cause of the engine warning light to come on, and I take it if I sort out the coolant, the warning light should go off - or will it need to be reset at a dealer?

Any advice, even on what coolant to go for (halfords?!!) then I would be very appreciative.

Thanks

hi mate

normally the coolant is changed in 2 years to be assured of its performance in winter themps.

please conside what is better to top up or change it???

cheers/Igor

Only issue is I don't know when the coolant was last changed - I would have thought it would have been changed in the last full service but can't be sure. Can't even be sure it was checked although the mechanic I go to seems decent enough. If the coolant had been changed or topped up, then could it have dropped that low between september and now - unless of course there is a leak somewhere?

[igormus]

I have a D4d 2.0 Diesel 54 plate, and just recently the engine warning light came on. I checked the oil which was fine, and checked the coolant and discovered it to be VERY low - much to my shame I hadn't bothered to check it since it's last full service in September!

Will I need to flush out the existing coolant, or basically top up? Is this more than likely the cause of the engine warning light to come on, and I take it if I sort out the coolant, the warning light should go off - or will it need to be reset at a dealer?

Any advice, even on what coolant to go for (halfords?!!) then I would be very appreciative.

Thanks

hi mate

normally the coolant is changed in 2 years to be assured of its performance in winter themps.

please conside what is better to top up or change it???

cheers/Igor

Only issue is I don't know when the coolant was last changed - I would have thought it would have been changed in the last full service but can't be sure. Can't even be sure it was checked although the mechanic I go to seems decent enough. If the coolant had been changed or topped up, then could it have dropped that low between september and now - unless of course there is a leak somewhere?

hello again

normally you are to take over your car having changed all liquids at the same time + respective records to be entried in your log book -- it is normal -- otherwise you ll hope on yr car but it will give you ocasional head ache. Good luck mate.

Igor

[Thermal]

... I don't know when the coolant was last changed -

Hi,

If in doubt, changing the cooling fluid isn't difficult, but it takes quite some time to do it properly.

Purging it is the easy part.

Stop the engine and let it cool a bit.

Then turn the heater to MAX (open), take the caps off the radiator and expansion tank, place a bucket under the radiator and open the tap at the bottom.

This may be a good moment to replace the thermostat as well.

Thermostats are cheap, but replacing them is expensive because it needs the job done that is described here.

When all fluid is out, close the radiator tap and slowly start filling the system with new coolant through the radiator.

When the radiator is full, put the cap back on.

Fill the expansion tank to the MAX level.

Now start the engine, with the heater still at max, and give the engine time to reach its normal operating temperature.

Have a cup of tea, while watching for any leaks.

You will now see the level in the expansion tank drop, as the remaining air in the system is replaced by cooling fluid.

Keep filling the expansion tank to the MAX as required, until it stays there.

Then put the cap on the expansion tank, turn up the heater fan, and check inside the cabin that hot air is coming from the heater.

If the heater is not hot, there is still air in the system.

Make a test drive and check the fluid level again.

Done.

[jimrotts]

be careful which antifreeze has been used if it has g12 fitted using any thing else will cause damage to engine and or seals

antifreeze helps protect engine during summer as well as winter so is very inportant and correct one fitted

[astrobhoy]

be careful which antifreeze has been used if it has g12 fitted using any thing else will cause damage to engine and or seals

antifreeze helps protect engine during summer as well as winter so is very inportant and correct one fitted

Thanks everyone for the advice. Got the car diagnosed, and turns out it was the glow plugs! Not too expensive, £50 supply and fit. And in some way it at least drew my atention to the coolant levels!

One question though, someone was telling me this - When I turn on my car (Diesel) am I supposed to wait until the coil light (glow plug) comes on and goes off, before I fully start the engine, and if I'm not doing this am I damaging the plugs/engine?

Since friend told me this I've tried to make a conscious effort, but it's amazing how often you forget to at least do it!!

Thanks

[igormus]

I have a D4d 2.0 Diesel 54 plate, and just recently the engine warning light came on. I checked the oil which was fine, and checked the coolant and discovered it to be VERY low - much to my shame I hadn't bothered to check it since it's last full service in September!

Will I need to flush out the existing coolant, or basically top up? Is this more than likely the cause of the engine warning light to come on, and I take it if I sort out the coolant, the warning light should go off - or will it need to be reset at a dealer?

Any advice, even on what coolant to go for (halfords?!!) then I would be very appreciative.

Thanks

hi mate

firstly you'd decode it meaning;

secondly in case you're sure the engine has not been overheated;

in third -- in case of negative No2 you can only top it up, but after the fourth is checked;

in forth --- you have to instect carefully whether or not the coolant leaks are available;

in fifth --- check with an expansion tank lid tightness --- if you have no leaks but lose the coolant -- it results of comunication of coolant with air due to poor gasket seal.

cheers/Igor