Coolant level drop in very cold weather

[peter212693]

Hi all,

Checked the fluids on my focus when I got in from work tonight and noticed the coolant below the minimum. Now I know that was at least half way between min and max about a week ago. You all know its been bloody cold over the weekend and got to -12 here and was -10 when driving home.

Had a look around and couldnt see any leaks. Is it normal for levels to be up and down in this weather?

Also I squeezed one of the pipes and it was bubbling in the expansion tank so its not frozen

Thanks for your help

 

[iaind]

Whats the difference between max and min, and what's the capacity of the system? You realise fluids contract as they cool?

 

[peter212693]

Whats the difference between max and min, and what's the capacity of the system?

Capacity is 5.75L not sure about the min and max differance

You realise fluids contract as they cool?

So it might just be me paranoid and its just just contracted so isnt a lot in expansion tank?

 

[iaind]

Easy enough to measure/guestimate.

That would be what I'd do to figure it out myself, calculate the percentage difference and see if it's right for the temp difference

 

[peter212693]

I think its approximately 0.5l min to max from a bit of research mate. How would I go about working this out? Its was -12 at the lowest today with a high of -9

 

[Dogbreath]

Hi all,

Checked the fluids on my focus when I got in from work tonight and noticed the coolant below the minimum. Now I know that was at least half way between min and max about a week ago. You all know its been bloody cold over the weekend and got to -12 here and was -10 when driving home.

Had a look around and couldnt see any leaks. Is it normal for levels to be up and down in this weather?

No, if the level goes down then generally you have a leak somewhere. The only other possibility is if that the coolant has been replaced recently and you still have some air in the system.

You realise fluids contract as they cool?

Why would the coolant be cold after the OP drove back from work?

 

[tigerstyle]

You realise fluids contract as they cool?

And then expand when the freeze, be afraid be very afraid!
Why were you checking the fluid at night, it must be dark? When did you last check it? Does it regularly need topping up? Hows the rest of the system?

 

[peter212693]

I checked it as I have recently had my clutch master cylinder replaced so was checking the brake fluid. Ive not had to top it up for at lease 8 months but checked it around 2 weeks ago and it was half way inbetween min and max.

 

[Dogbreath]

Could be as simple as the cap on the expansion tank isn't sealing very well - this will cause a slow loss of coolant.

 

[peter212693]

Might replace the cap and see as its only a few pounds.

 

[Deleted member 66701]

Why were you checking the fluid at night, it must be dark?

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