coolant level

[JungloSonic]

The 1.8 Sonic takes about 6L of coolant (5 in the system and 1 in the reservoir) . My son ran the car for about 120km and I noticed the coolant cap was not closed properly and I had to add about 3L (including topping up of the reservoir). Anyone know if this amount of low coolant would have caused damage? He said that the heater in the car was not giving out heat.

 

[ozonetrooper]

I would guess that if the temperature light never came on it is ok.

First the light comes on.
then the computer limits the motor.
then the car shudders and stutters.

if it is driven past this point pretty sure something is gonna get hurt.

 

[JungloSonic]

I have added 3L of water (tap water). Should I add antifreeze? If the water lost due to evaporation, I would assume only water evaporated and antifreeze is still in system thus no need to add any antifreeze? Is there a problem adding too much antifreeze?

 

[ozonetrooper]

My 2016 requires a 50/50 mix of antifreeze.

Contrary to belief antifreeze is not just to keep the water from freezing in the winter, it also helps keep the water from boiling in the summer.

It is a "closed" system that should not experience any evaporation.


From the internet :

Cooling system (qt / L):

1.4L: 6.9 / 6.5 1.8L: 6.3 / 6.0

At 3L you have lost at least half the cooing liquid from the system, if you have overheating issues I would drain the system and refill with the proper mix.

 

[JungloSonic]

Thanks for your response. Another question, when car has been driven and engine is hot, if the lid to coolant reservoir is opened carefully (I know you are not suppose to) would the coolant overflow because of release of pressure. I took the car to oil change place to have the coolant concentration checked. When they opened the reservoir(engine was still hot), the coolant overflowed. They told me that my thermostat may be stuck or I have head gasket leak.
I had someone check the thermostat and it looks fine as both hoses to rad seemed to have coolant flowing(hot) and heater inside the car is working. So if it is normal for coolant to overflow when opened hot then I won't worry ..otherwise if its head gasket then that is major. I drove 80 minutes today and coolant is at the same level and no temp light came on on the dash.

 

[ozonetrooper]

If your t/stat were stuck "shut" it would overheat and the light would come on. If the stat was stuck "open" I guess it might cause a back flow pressure, only way to determine if it is working properly is to take it out and check it in a pot of hot water.

A blown headgasket usually produces several warning signs, one of them is a loss of coolant.

Loss of power, shuddering, steam coming out of the tailpipe, etc.

I had a Silverado that would sometimes do that and I never figured out why ....