Coolant level?

asdf · 03-24-2008, 01:42 AM

Is the coolant supposed to be at the very top when the engine is cool or a little below? I'm talking about the actual coolant level in the radiator, not the overflow tank (which is fine and the level hasn't changed). It's an Si btw if it matters...

Anyone want to check theirs real quick?

Duce2k · 03-24-2008, 10:38 AM

The last time I checked mine, last week, it was full all the way to the top

krazyhusky · 03-24-2008, 10:42 AM

^ Same too

asdf · 03-24-2008, 12:25 PM

Ok thanks.

Johnold · 03-24-2008, 12:28 PM

put the coolant when it's cold, all the way to the MAX line. you should be fine. when you've been driving for a while and you get out to check your coolant level it should be about 1" above the MAX line. coolant expands. you don't really wanna fill it to the top cause it's just gonna drain off. plus that dangerous and kinda stupid IMO.

I've never looked in my radiator before. i'm sure it's fine since it's only 1 year old (Si also)

asdf · 03-24-2008, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnold

put the coolant when it's cold, all the way to the MAX line. you should be fine. when you've been driving for a while and you get out to check your coolant level it should be about 1" above the MAX line. coolant expands. you don't really wanna fill it to the top cause it's just gonna drain off. plus that dangerous and kinda stupid IMO.

I've never looked in my radiator before. i'm sure it's fine since it's only 1 year old (Si also)

Only reason checked cuz I put my stock intake back on and coolant spilt out.

Johnold · 03-24-2008, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asdf

Only reason checked cuz I put my stock intake back on and coolant spilt out.

oh ok yeah, they always say that happens when messing the intakes. Just refill it like everyone else does. I don't think i'll ever really do any engine mods to my Si for a while. Atleast not while the warranty is still in affect.

AllShowNoGo · 03-24-2008, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnold

put the coolant when it's cold, all the way to the MAX line. you should be fine. when you've been driving for a while and you get out to check your coolant level it should be about 1" above the MAX line. coolant expands. you don't really wanna fill it to the top cause it's just gonna drain off. plus that dangerous and kinda stupid IMO.

I've never looked in my radiator before. i'm sure it's fine since it's only 1 year old (Si also)

is suppose to be over the MAX line after the car has been driven? mine is just at the MAX line after driving and at the MIN line when the engine is cold.

Johnold · 03-24-2008, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AllShowNoGo

is suppose to be over the MAX line after the car has been driven? mine is just at the MAX line after driving and at the MIN line when the engine is cold.

^ thats fine too. My level was a bit below the min mark (when cold) and I filled it up to the MAX line when my car was cold. this was in the morning before i drove. after about 2.5 hours out, i popped the hood and checked the level and it was at about an inch above the MAX line. thats cause it expanded. thats a safe zone. you don't wanna fill it all the way up to the top with about 1 inch from the cap (cold) and then go driving it cause it'll expand and probably pop the top off the fill tank. anyways, yeah, just keep it atleast to the MIN line when cold and you'll be fine.

asdf · 03-24-2008, 06:08 PM

Ok yeah, I just got back from driving for awhile and its right about 1" above the max line on the over flow bottle.

Found a little leak too in one of the hoses.

Johnold · 03-24-2008, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asdf

Ok yeah, I just got back from driving for awhile and its right about 1" above the max line on the over flow bottle.

Found a little leak too in one of the hoses.

ooh, thats not good. not HORRIBLE but not good. you should just get a new hose and be done with it.

RedLineSi · 04-14-2008, 09:46 PM

Does the Si take a certain kind of coolant??

BigT · 04-14-2008, 11:36 PM

When the car heats up the coolant expands and the excess is forced into the overflow bottle. The max line is simply there to allow enough expansion room so that none leaks out when the car is hot. Above the max line when hot is fine. Above the max line cold is ok too, but some may leak out when the car gets hot.

However, when the car cools down the coolant is drawn back out of the overflow tank into the radiator. The radiator should stay completely full. The minimum line is more important because it insures that there is enough coolant to keep the ratiator full when the car cools.

The coolant is Honda's version of extended life coolant. Every manufacturer seems to be coming up with their own coolant. According to the manual you can use any coolant which meets the protection requirements as a "temporary replacement." If you get something (extended life) which is labeled to be mixed with any color, any brand you should be ok.

03-24-2008, 01:42 AM	#1 (permalink)
asdf Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 1,012 iTrader: 5 / 100%	Coolant level? Is the coolant supposed to be at the very top when the engine is cool or a little below? I'm talking about the actual coolant level in the radiator, not the overflow tank (which is fine and the level hasn't changed). It's an Si btw if it matters... Anyone want to check theirs real quick? Last edited by asdf; 03-24-2008 at 02:06 AM.

03-24-2008, 12:28 PM	#5 (permalink)
Johnold Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Florida Age: 27 Posts: 2,075 John iTrader: 0 / 0%	put the coolant when it's cold, all the way to the MAX line. you should be fine. when you've been driving for a while and you get out to check your coolant level it should be about 1" above the MAX line. coolant expands. you don't really wanna fill it to the top cause it's just gonna drain off. plus that dangerous and kinda stupid IMO. I've never looked in my radiator before. i'm sure it's fine since it's only 1 year old (Si also) Last edited by Johnold; 03-24-2008 at 12:30 PM.

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03-24-2008, 10:38 AM	#2 (permalink)
Duce2k Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 2,862 iTrader: 2 / 100%	The last time I checked mine, last week, it was full all the way to the top

03-24-2008, 10:42 AM	#3 (permalink)
krazyhusky Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Frm 808 2 907 Posts: 65 Alex iTrader: 0 / 0%	^ Same too

03-24-2008, 12:25 PM	#4 (permalink)
asdf Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 1,012 iTrader: 5 / 100%	Ok thanks.

03-24-2008, 06:08 PM	#10 (permalink)
asdf Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 1,012 iTrader: 5 / 100%	Ok yeah, I just got back from driving for awhile and its right about 1" above the max line on the over flow bottle. Found a little leak too in one of the hoses.

04-14-2008, 09:46 PM	#12 (permalink)
RedLineSi Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Jersey Age: 19 Posts: 1,016 Rob iTrader: 0 / 0%	Does the Si take a certain kind of coolant??

04-14-2008, 11:36 PM	#13 (permalink)
BigT Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Duff Beer Krusty Burger Buzz Cola Costington's Department Store Kwik-E-Mart Stupid Flanders Park Posts: 1,584 iTrader: 1 / 100%	When the car heats up the coolant expands and the excess is forced into the overflow bottle. The max line is simply there to allow enough expansion room so that none leaks out when the car is hot. Above the max line when hot is fine. Above the max line cold is ok too, but some may leak out when the car gets hot. However, when the car cools down the coolant is drawn back out of the overflow tank into the radiator. The radiator should stay completely full. The minimum line is more important because it insures that there is enough coolant to keep the ratiator full when the car cools. The coolant is Honda's version of extended life coolant. Every manufacturer seems to be coming up with their own coolant. According to the manual you can use any coolant which meets the protection requirements as a "temporary replacement." If you get something (extended life) which is labeled to be mixed with any color, any brand you should be ok.