Radiator fill question

[30 Closed Cab PU]

Originally Posted by Beater

why don't you just fill it to the top and let it find its own level so much rocket surgery here

I think he is concerned about being on a trip and the car overheating if the coolant goes low. Additionally, do not know if he is running antifreeze, but if so it can damage paint when it overflows/steams.


"My question is how the devil do I check to see what my water level is, other than just wait for it to overheat if I am on a long trip?"

[DHZIEMAN]

I cut a little wood stick that I could slide in along side the baffle. But, the car cooling system will seek it's own level on its own given everything is working right. (no headgasket leaks, no cracks in water jackets stuff that would allow exhaust pressure to get to coolant system)

[Dennis Pereira]

Originally Posted by Beater

why don't you just fill it to the top and let it find its own level so much rocket surgery here

That's the way I've always filled my radiators and still do . If they overflow I still have the hose in my hand to rinse off and let the over flow tube do its job

[Link]

I have an original radiator with enough room between the baffle and over flow tube to slip a thin piece of cardboard (cereal box) down to the tubes.

[Benson]

PM sent to 192.168.1.1

[Link]

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I have an original radiator with enough room between the baffle and over flow tube to slip a thin piece of cardboard (cereal box) down to the tubes.

[SimplyCosmic]

Another option might be disposable wood coffee stirrers to act like a dipstick.

Amazon has them for around $3 per 1000.

[Mike V. Florida]

Originally Posted by Magicbox51

My question is how the devil do I check to see what my water level is, other than just wait for it to overheat if I am on a long trip? Any techniques for magically seeing down beyond the baffle? I am baffled.


-Baffled in Walla Walla

Here is what I did, full it up so I can see the water. Drive it for several hundred miles and fill it again checking how much I added. Drive it again for the same couple a hundred miles and add water. If the amount is the same I never checked it again for a year or so.

[Jim/GA]

Originally Posted by Magicbox51

My question is how the devil do I check to see what my water level is, other than just wait for it to overheat if I am on a long trip? Any techniques for magically seeing down beyond the baffle? I am baffled.


-Baffled in Walla Walla

You will not see coolant above the baffle when engine is cold. I use a little wooden stir stick that I picked up at Starbucks as a dipstick on the side to the baffle.

When out on a drive, engine hot and running, you should see a good 1/2" of coolant over the baffle. So if you don't, add coolant to just cover the baffle a tiny bit and you are good to go. This is hot engine only, not cold.

YMMV.