Help re topping up something in the engine

movan

movan

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Sorry can't get to my motorhome instruction manual. Whilst checking for mouse damage in the engine, spotted this seems to have dropped down quite a bit and might need topping up.... Can you tell me please//

a. What is it and what do I ask for from the shops?
b. The previous owner has obviously marked the lids with yellow dots .. I can't quite work out how to open the tops and why are there two?

Thank you. I accept it probably a daft question. :(
 

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That is a header tank for your radiator. If it was mine I would take the opportunity to top it up with antifreeze. It will have some in but you do not know the strength. So neat a/freeze for me.:)
 
Gerflunkel fluid. You are at a critical level in gerflunkel fluid. Evacuate the area immediately and call the police and fire brigade.

Go to Halfords and get some Megga Gerflunk quickly before the whole engine implodes.
 
Badknee said:
That is a header tank for your radiator. If it was mine I would take the opportunity to top it up with antifreeze. It will have some in but you do not know the strength. So neat a/freeze for me.:)
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Thank you, but do I have to ask for a special anti freeze for a motorhome and do I dilute it with water? Thank you. Is it possible to put too much anti freeze in and would it do damage. (I don't mean by that overfill it, I mean strengthwise) . :)
 
Not daft at all Joy, if you dont know what it is, you dont know.

Its your radiator water expansion vessel and it will have a mark for COLD and another for HOT.

As long as the level is at cold when the engines cold thats fine...NEVER try to remove the cap with a hot engine, it will scold you.

The cap twists off anti clockwise but will be tight.

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hilldweller said:
Gerflunkel fluid. You are at a critical level in gerflunkel fluid. Evacuate the area immediately and call the police and fire brigade.

Go to Halfords and get some Megga Gerflunk quickly before the whole engine implodes.
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Cheeky... I started writing Gerflunkel fluid on my notepad when I began reading your post!!!!!!:doh:
 
pappajohn said:
Not daft at all Joy, if you dont know what it is, you dont know.

Its your radiator water expansion vessel and it will have a mark for COLD and another for HOT.

As long as the level is at cold when the engines cold thats fine...NEVER try to remove the cap with a hot engine, it will scold you.

The cap twists off anti clockwise but will be tight.
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:Ta2:
 
Too much antifreeze may cause overheating.
if the radiator never seems to need topping up i would use water.
if it needs regular filling use antifreeze and water...50/50 in winter...30water/50 anifreeze in summer.

If you should overfill it dont worry, the excess will be forced out the cap when the engine gets to temperature.
 
movan said:
Thank you, but do I have to ask for a special anti freeze for a motorhome and do I dilute it with water? Thank you. Is it possible to put too much anti freeze in and would it do damage. (I don't mean by that overfill it, I mean strengthwise) . :)
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No just ask for a litre of antifreeze and put it in neat. If it doesn't get it up to the mark put some water in the a/freeze bottle, swish it around and put that in. :)
 
"Help re topping up something in the engine"
Oh joy, this is priceless! Had me laughing with ... Joy! It's exactly the sort of thing I think whenever I look at anything mechanical.
I hate to be the useless little woman but isn't it great to have all these lovely experts on FUN (men and women) willing to help us out?

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some vehicles use specialist radiator coolant. make sure you dont add water to one of those or you ruin it

use this for newer Fiats
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TheBig1 said:
some vehicles use specialist radiator coolant. make sure you dont add water to one of those or you ruin it
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Oh no.. now it gets complicated :( How will I know if my vehicle uses a specialist radiator coolanat or not. :(
 
You can see marks on side of tank stating "max" & "min" It s above min & just need bringing up to max whilst cold.
 
The answer to the original question, based on your pictures is no, it doesn't need topping up. There is no requirement to have it filled to maximum.

The servicing schedule will say how often the coolant is supposed to be changed but like brake fluid lots of folk ignore this advice.

What I would suggest is unless you have reason to believe the coolant is weak is only to top it up with the recommended mix of antifreeze and water.

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movan said:
Oh no.. now it gets complicated :( How will I know if my vehicle uses a specialist radiator coolanat or not. :(
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check the handbook and the colour of the fluid already in there

added this to my post just before you replied, sorry
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Joy. Here's another tip..... DONT drop any residues of anti-freeze on the paintwork. It will take the paint off! Avoid also spilling any on painted engine surfaces.

If you are buying any, dilute it and decant it into a (clean) plastic milk or other bottle. It's easier to pour it into the header tank than trying with a full flaggon of neat ant-freeze.

James
 
Oh no, now I've got to ask ..... what's a paraflu? :Eeek:
 
movan said:
Oh no, now I've got to ask ..... what's a paraflu? :Eeek:
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its a specialist coolant common to newer fiats

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