Coolant tank fluid levels

[philrocks]

Hey guys,

After driving home today from work, I decided to check the coolant level, and noticed it has 2 different levels. Is this normal when its hot? (The fluid on the left is pretty much at the MIN marker)



Cheers,
Phil

[cheshired5]

Min and Max markings are for cold checking only..... Proper cold though so check again in the morning.

[philrocks]

Will check again in the morning.

But the point I was getting at, is there seems to be separate tanks when its hot.
If you look at the picture, there is fluid on the right, that is higher than the fluid on the left. Is that normal when its hot? (I have never noticed, though I don't often look at the engine bay when its hot)

[IainG]

Hi
The fluid flow into the tank flows through a type of weir compartment inside the main reservoir.. If you look at it with the engine running you will see the flow. If you carefully take off the cap and look inside you will see the fluid flowing out of the weir compartment into the main reservoir. Possibly to reduce airation??

Iain

[philrocks]

Just checked again this morning, and the fluid is still in the same position (some of it is in the upper tank)

For reference I changed the tank as the old one had a crack in it, is this tank faulty?

[IainG]

Hi
As I said earlier there is a weir in that compartment. so the outlet of the weir is slightly higher than the coolant level.
Mine is a new reservoir and just the same. more noticeable if the front of the car is lower than the back. i.e. parked nose down on a slope.
The weir outlet is at the end nearest the windscreen by the filler cap and on mine you can see the flow with the cap off and the engine running.
Only open the cap with the engine cold or release the pressure slowly.


Iain

[philrocks]

Originally Posted by IainG

Hi
As I said earlier there is a weir in that compartment. so the outlet of the weir is slightly higher than the coolant level.
Mine is a new reservoir and just the same. more noticeable if the front of the car is lower than the back. i.e. parked nose down on a slope.


Iain

Thanks so much, that has given me peace of mind.

[Zebster]

Interesting that your coolant is an orange/yellow colour, like mine. Did it come from Volvo?

[IainG]

Hi
My coolant is the red OAT coolant. Car is 2005, owned it 10 years and has always been red.
I assume as it is a "Ford" engine??
Dealer serviced up to a couple of years ago.

Iain

[Welton]

Mine doesn't have that raised separate level part, and I replaced mine due to cracking maybe 3 years ago with a genuine dealer part.

Maybe the design has changed?