Engine coolant reservoir empty

Hi all,

I just purchased a 2003 Citroen C3 desire.

On checking the fluids, I noticed there doesn't appear to be any engine coolant in the reservoir.

Is it sensible to buy 5L of OAT coolant, fill it up, and hope for the best? Otherwise, is it likely that there's a leak, and I'll be pouring £30 onto the driveway?

Many thanks in advance,

IR8

Hi irobot8

Are there any other signs of a coolant problem eg does your engine oil look OK or is it milky, any signs of engine overheating, any signs of a coolant leak around the coolant pipe joints (wet or crusting)?

This could also be down to lack of proper maintenance over a considerable time, unless you know that servicing has been carried out recently and correctly that's usually the first thing I do with a newly acquired car.

Or you could be very lucky, add some coolant and never have another problem

Thanks for your reply ML!

There doesn't appear to be any milky residue in the oil when I pull the dipstick out. No signs of overheating that I've seen, but will check the coolant temperature gauge tonight, to see if any of the six yellow bars are showing.

Re: servicing, are you saying that you generally get a service done straight away when acquiring a car? (if there's no confirmation of a recent service in the history)

irobot8 wrote: ↑Mon Jun 11, 2018 8:23 am Is it sensible to buy 5L of OAT coolant,

You may not need the full 5Litres.

The reservoir tank doesn't hold very much. You may be lucky and its only just below what you can see and a litre will be enough to bring it back to the correct level.

Considering there is no overheating or any other problems suggested by Missing Lincs, I would imagine you are just a bit shy of the lowest level visible.

But, if you are going to do the full service, a flush and refill of new coolant will be on the list of jobs to do for peace of mind and the comming winter

Thanks C3. Just popped over the road to a garage, and they suggested to fill the reservoir with tap water and leave overnight (to check if the level goes down).

I've heard elsewhere that tap water can corrode the engine. Did the garage give good advice?

irobot8 wrote: ↑Mon Jun 11, 2018 12:47 pm Thanks C3. Just popped over the road to a garage, and they suggested to fill the reservoir with tap water and leave overnight (to check if the level goes down).
I've heard elsewhere that tap water can corrode the engine. Did the garage give good advice?

As a temporary 'test' then you could add water, however if you're not planning on changing the coolant then I wouldn't add water.

Water will raise the freezing point of the coolant, lower the boiling point and 'dilute' it's corrosion inhibiting properties.

And yes to a full service with a new (to me) car. I find it sets a benchmark to give me an idea of how the car has been maintained previously, also I know that the oil/filter has been properly changed with certainty - cos I did it Plus what wear there is on the brake pads, I even fit a new cabin air filter, something that I've noted that even dealer maintained cars don't always get.

Thanks ML and C3 for all your help

I think I may have been lucky! Went to Halfords and bought 2L of pre-mixed own-brand OAT coolant/anti-freeze. With some trepidation, started filling the header tank, and it reached the Max mark after just over a litre. So, I think C3 you were right that it was just below the lowest level visible.

No leaks visible thus far when looking under the car. Will check it's still at the Max mark tomorrow morning, and let you know the outcome.

My only final question: Is it normal for the coolant/anti-freeze levels to get so low without a leak?

Thanks again,

IR8

OK, so the coolant stayed at the max level after leaving overnight, so there's no obvious leak.

However, it turned from a pink colour to a black/blue colour (without agitating it or turning on the engine).

Is that change of colour something to worry about?

The colour change will just be the new coolant mixing with what's already in the system.

As for levels going down, it's not normal, modern engines have a sealed coolant system.

I would keep checking the level for now and also keep a close eye on the temperature gauge while driving.

Thanks ML - you've been a great help!

The temperature gauge is the one with 6 yellow lights to the left of the digital speedo - is that correct?