What happens if you pour coolant above the maximum
Content
Important! If the driver has filled in antifreeze 5-7 cm above the maximum, then the reservoir cap can be torn off, and cold liquid will splash onto the hot cylinder block. The danger lies in the fact that sudden temperature changes are dangerous for the engine of any machine.
For the smooth operation of the mechanisms, strict adherence to the rules of operation is required, the negligent attitude to which leads to serious problems. There are 2 limits in the antifreeze tank: max and min. They are not recommended to be broken.
The severity of the consequences depends on the general technical condition of the car. If you pour antifreeze above the max level on a new car, perhaps everything will do without breakdowns. But for an old car with weak hoses and a dirty radiator compartment, such inattention can be fatal.
What affects the amount of coolant
The uninterrupted operation of the car depends on the value of this indicator. After starting the machine, the liquid begins to circulate in the engine cooling system, and its volume, according to the law of thermal expansion, must change.
Liquid level in the reservoir
If you pour antifreeze into the expansion tank above the “max” level, then there will be no free space in the tank, and the liquid, having heated up and slightly increased in volume, will splash into the radiator compartment. Also, if the valve is defective or clogged, then the high pressure in the closed system will break through, at best, the hoses, and at worst, will entail costly engine repairs.
The antifreeze volume indicator should be at a minimum, since when the engine is started, the volume of coolant increases and its level rises by several percent.
The colder it is outside, the less you should worry about the amount of antifreeze. In heat, on the contrary, expansion occurs. Therefore, it is very important not to exceed the maximum in summer.
By the amount of antifreeze, you can also determine the presence of malfunctions and depressurization of the system:
- as a result of leaking hoses or tubes, the coolant will begin to flow out sharply, and its volume in the expansion tank will decrease;
- when the bypass valve of the expansion tank is jammed, the volume of antifreeze will increase sharply.
Each car owner must independently monitor the amount of oil, brake and coolant. A visual inspection should be carried out before every long trip. If minor losses are found, it is necessary to add antifreeze and repeat the check after a while.
Antifreeze in a tank
It is dangerous to fill in liquid after a long idle car in the cold season, as when warming up, the driver may find that he has poured antifreeze into the expansion tank.
Consequences of exceeding the maximum value
If you pour antifreeze above the norm, then the pressure in the system will increase. Minor excesses are not terrible for brand new Kia, Volkswagen, Hyundai, Opel and modern VAZ models (priors, viburnum or grants).
However, if you completely fill the plastic tank with antifreeze, ignoring the maximum recommended by the manufacturer and leaving no free space under the tank cap, then the increased pressure will, at best, knock out the tank cap or disable the air bleed valve, and at worst, damage the system.
The older the car, the more attention should be paid to maintenance, compliance with the manufacturer's recommendations and the quality of consumables.
If you pour antifreeze above the level into the expansion tank of an old car and exceed the volume recommended by the manufacturer by 1,3-1,5 times, then as consequences you can get:
- leaking radiator cap
- failure of hoses;
- crack in the expansion tank.
Those who have filled in antifreeze above the maximum by 20-50% are advised to take pity on their car and urgently correct the situation. You can do this yourself, without contacting the service station, simply by pumping out the excess fluid. However, if the liquid level has risen without topping up, it is urgent to look for a master and find out the reason. Sudden drops in antifreeze can signal serious problems.
What to do with an excess of antifreeze
A critical excess of coolant volume must be pumped out, and a slight excess is not terrible, because there is a special valve in the cap of the expansion tank that controls pressure drops in the engine compartment.
Where did the antifreeze go in the tank
One of the most important functions of the coolant when circulating in a closed system is to maintain the optimum temperature of the engine. If the antifreeze does not cope with cooling or integrity is broken, then smoke will pour out from under the hood. To prevent this from happening, you must:
- monitor the amount of liquid;
- once every 2-4 years, completely change the antifreeze;
- monitor the cleanliness of the radiator compartment so that the bleed valves are in working order and remove increased volumes of antifreeze.
If the antifreeze is poured above the level, it is recommended to drain it with a medical syringe. In this way, you can gradually pump out excess liquid into the bottle.
How to prevent antifreeze overflow
To do this, it is necessary to carry out the procedure gradually, adding a little liquid, visually observing that the level does not exceed the “max” mark.
After the end of the manipulations, it is necessary to start the engine and after 10 minutes of operation, check the maximum and minimum marks again.
All motorists must follow the rules for operating the car, check the level of fluids in the radiator compartment, and periodically add them. Replenishment of the contents of the containers should be carried out in strict accordance with the markings, and if the driver poured antifreeze into the expansion tank, then it is recommended to eliminate the consequences immediately.
