Coolant red light

V60RD · Dec 2nd, 2017, 05:58

Hi, I for the life of me cannot solve this ongoing problem. I have 2011 V60 D3 RD Diesel. The red coolant light pops on quite often but when I go to top up when engine is cold it's always reading maximum level. If I stop straight away while warm to top up it just overflows with loads of pressure and spurts out a good litre or so. It then needs even more than it did in first place. It's a constant problem. I do very very little mileage with mainly town driving . Anyone got any advice or pointers.
Thank you
Jo

IainG · Dec 2nd, 2017, 07:22

Hi Jo
Sounds a bit like an airlock.
when running the airlock is under pressure and the level drops to fill the space as the air is compressed. Sometimes low enough to set off the low alarm. When cold and the cap is off the airlock can expand again and fill the reservoir.
When hot and cap removed the air expands and with the hot coolant then overflows.

Possibly?

Iain

Fat Magpie · Dec 2nd, 2017, 08:00

I hope it is an airlock, one of my old BMW's suffered from airlocks and I would park the front wheels on a slight incline to raise the radiator slightly to help unblock it.

But, it might also be a cylinder head gasket, I hope not but better get it checked out now ASAP before it does more damage.

Chrisv60 · Dec 2nd, 2017, 08:42

Or maybe a sensor fault?

Rooster · Dec 2nd, 2017, 11:11

When you release the cap when engine is cold is there any pressure there??

Some cars only had one little pipe to coolent reservoir and other was capped off with a blank, there was a mod at one bit to remove that blank and fit another pipe as there is also a blank in top corner of radiator this allowed the radiator to bleed back to reservoir and stopped any airlocks in it,

About a 10 minute job to fit and pipes about 20quid which is alot cheaper than a headgasket

Dec 2nd, 2017, 05:58	#1
V60RD New Member Last Online: Jul 27th, 2019 21:46 Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: WORCESTER	Coolant red light Hi, I for the life of me cannot solve this ongoing problem. I have 2011 V60 D3 RD Diesel. The red coolant light pops on quite often but when I go to top up when engine is cold it's always reading maximum level. If I stop straight away while warm to top up it just overflows with loads of pressure and spurts out a good litre or so. It then needs even more than it did in first place. It's a constant problem. I do very very little mileage with mainly town driving . Anyone got any advice or pointers. Thank you Jo

Dec 2nd, 2017, 08:00	#3
Fat Magpie Senior Member Last Online: Yesterday 11:47 Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Belfast and London	I hope it is an airlock, one of my old BMW's suffered from airlocks and I would park the front wheels on a slight incline to raise the radiator slightly to help unblock it. But, it might also be a cylinder head gasket, I hope not but better get it checked out now ASAP before it does more damage. __________________ XC60 MY10 AWD D5 Summum 205 PS, Geartronic, Winter pack, Aux diesel heater, Xenons, Family pack, Tinted rears, Moonroof, Parking sensor F&R, Premium sound, Car phone, Reversing camera, Lane departure, Hill decent, Savile Grey.

Dec 2nd, 2017, 08:42	#4
Chrisv60 Senior Member Last Online: Today 14:25 Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Home	Or maybe a sensor fault? __________________ V60 D4 SE Lux MY15 Savile Grey. Gone but not forgotten.

Dec 2nd, 2017, 11:11	#5
Rooster Speed freak Last Online: Apr 3rd, 2020 22:04 Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Yorkshire	When you release the cap when engine is cold is there any pressure there?? Some cars only had one little pipe to coolent reservoir and other was capped off with a blank, there was a mod at one bit to remove that blank and fit another pipe as there is also a blank in top corner of radiator this allowed the radiator to bleed back to reservoir and stopped any airlocks in it, About a 10 minute job to fit and pipes about 20quid which is alot cheaper than a headgasket __________________ 04 XC90 D5 --- Big bus 00 pug 306HDi --- Run about 88 pug 309GTi --- Project track car 07 CB600 Hornet --- 2 wheel fun

Dec 2nd, 2017, 07:22	#2
IainG Premier Member Last Online: Today 07:53 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Plymouth	Hi Jo Sounds a bit like an airlock. when running the airlock is under pressure and the level drops to fill the space as the air is compressed. Sometimes low enough to set off the low alarm. When cold and the cap is off the airlock can expand again and fill the reservoir. When hot and cap removed the air expands and with the hot coolant then overflows. Possibly? Iain

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