No coolant in expansion tank?
#1
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Hi as the title says. I have no coolant in the expansion tank so im not sure what i need to buy as im not sure what coolant is in there. Can i just fill it up with distilled water? Or do i need to drain it all? Thanks in advance
Last edited by steeevo; 06-10-2014 at 08:11 AM.
#2
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This info is in your handbook, I guess you don't have one so the reason for the post?
You don't quote what MY your XK / XKR is, so this makes it a bit more difficult to give you the right info. However I have a 2005MY XKR and my coolant is ORANGE. I bought 5lts from a Ford Main Dealer Parts dept as the current Fords use the same spec & the engine is a Ford anyway.
You don't quote what MY your XK / XKR is, so this makes it a bit more difficult to give you the right info. However I have a 2005MY XKR and my coolant is ORANGE. I bought 5lts from a Ford Main Dealer Parts dept as the current Fords use the same spec & the engine is a Ford anyway.
#3
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Steve,
As Trevor says, if you could edit your signature with your car's details it would help others to answer your query with the correct information.
As you have no coolant in the expansion tank I'm assuming that you have the low coolant warning on the dash. Using water will get you out of trouble but you really need to find out where it has gone.
Look for tell tail signs of leakage around the expansion tank, hoses in and out of the radiator and don't forget the overflow bottle behind the left wheel arch lining.
Good luck, hope this helps,
As Trevor says, if you could edit your signature with your car's details it would help others to answer your query with the correct information.
As you have no coolant in the expansion tank I'm assuming that you have the low coolant warning on the dash. Using water will get you out of trouble but you really need to find out where it has gone.
Look for tell tail signs of leakage around the expansion tank, hoses in and out of the radiator and don't forget the overflow bottle behind the left wheel arch lining.
Good luck, hope this helps,
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#6
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Sorry my sig is not coming up for some reason, 2001 4.0L XK8
i cant see what fluid is in there so i have topped it up with de-ironised water and then when i get home i will check to see if has changed colour
also i have no warnings on the dash, i just checked it when i was cleaning the throttle body connectors
i cant see what fluid is in there so i have topped it up with de-ironised water and then when i get home i will check to see if has changed colour
also i have no warnings on the dash, i just checked it when i was cleaning the throttle body connectors
#7
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Signature now visible.
With no coolant in the expansion tank and no warning on the dash, I would not be driving that car anywhere.
Because the temp gauge is nothing more than an idiot light, the first warning you will get is the low coolant warning in the message centre on the dash. It is therefore important that this sensor is working correctly.
Unplug it and see if you then get the warning. If you do, then when you empty the system, reconnect and see if the warning appears again. If not, change the sensor.
With no coolant in the expansion tank and no warning on the dash, I would not be driving that car anywhere.
Because the temp gauge is nothing more than an idiot light, the first warning you will get is the low coolant warning in the message centre on the dash. It is therefore important that this sensor is working correctly.
Unplug it and see if you then get the warning. If you do, then when you empty the system, reconnect and see if the warning appears again. If not, change the sensor.
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#10
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Do not understand 'dash command'. But if your engine temperature was 92 celsius that is not the coolant level. The coolant level is a measure of how much coolant is in the reservoir.
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#13
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There is a lot of grease and stuff on the smaller coolant tank near the radiator so I'm thinking the hose that goes from the bottom of that tank towards the radiator has a split but i couldn't follow the hose as it disappears through towards the front bumper.
would i have to drain the whole system to remove that hose and check?
would i have to drain the whole system to remove that hose and check?
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When I checked my tensioners I had to move the reservoir and the sensor popped out, it would not reseat! I ended up tie wrapping it up so maybe that's what your previous owner did OR he lost fluid as well and masked the LowCoolant indicator, you'll know if there is a sensor still in the bottom of the tank. I'd ended up replacing my reservoir but that isn't your immediate concern
#17
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there is a little metal clip that holds the connector in place
I replaced the expansion tank with a new one with sensor fitted, when i got the new tank i noticed straight away that the previous owner had broken a lug off the tank and then wound a bolt in to stop it leaking.
i topped the new tank up with water and plugged the sensor in, now its fine with no warning light so it must be the little float in the tank that breaks as i checked the switch and its working fine. atleast i no there will be no leaks from the tank (hopefully)
also i got a sensor level switch for sale if anyone needs it
now to sort this oil leak
I replaced the expansion tank with a new one with sensor fitted, when i got the new tank i noticed straight away that the previous owner had broken a lug off the tank and then wound a bolt in to stop it leaking.
i topped the new tank up with water and plugged the sensor in, now its fine with no warning light so it must be the little float in the tank that breaks as i checked the switch and its working fine. atleast i no there will be no leaks from the tank (hopefully)
also i got a sensor level switch for sale if anyone needs it
now to sort this oil leak
Last edited by steeevo; 09-25-2014 at 03:20 AM.
#19
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It should be orange (see notice on your expansion tank cap). Your owner's manual will have the specs. A copy is in the DIY sticky on the main forum page if you don't have one.
If you drain and flush the system, it won't matter what's in there now and at least you'll know it's all good. I would find the leak first to save doing it again.
Until you do, a little more distilled water won't hurt to keep it full.
p.s. I use Prestone DexCool (used by GM)
If you drain and flush the system, it won't matter what's in there now and at least you'll know it's all good. I would find the leak first to save doing it again.
Until you do, a little more distilled water won't hurt to keep it full.
p.s. I use Prestone DexCool (used by GM)
#20