Coolant: paranoid, sensible, or just a novice?

[Four Oaks Bookworm]

Our 2.5TD 4WD seems to be running a little hot (rad smells 'hot' after a long run of an hour or more on open roads), and the engine cover (and therefore the cab) remains warm for a good time afterwards (not comfy in this weather ), although purrs along quite happily..

Had the coolant changed by a Bongo approved garage just the other week (at the same time it passed its MOT ), and level now sits midway between low and high when cold (and nearer 'high' when warm). No evidence of a leak (but no coolant alarm fitted -yet ), and none of the telltale bubbling noises or pools of water. The rad is new (was replaced before we bought it), don't know if that is significant or not

Am I just paranoid? Should I top it up (and do I just do this by opening the cap on the header tank and pouring water/antifreeze in: told you I was a novice.. )

[Doone]

In your previous post HERE you mentioned a few things that were bothering you.

The coolant does seem to be a bit low, but this may be the 'settling' that (people have said) can sometimes happen after bleeding. It needs to be topped up.

Also, check that the clips on the engine cover are fixed down firmly, as when they're not, you do notice more smells and things do feel hotter.

But, if you are you saying that it now seems to be running warmer since you had the coolant changed, I'd pop back and ask them to double check it for you. It should hopefully put your mind at rest.

[Four Oaks Bookworm]

Thanks Doone, the previous puddle was related to a blocked drainhole in at the base of the windscreen, so not really related (and no puddles of any kind since )

re the top up: do I just top up into the header tank, or am I risking airlocks that way ?

[haydn callow]

Hi, Just wait untill everything has cooled down (first thing in the morning is good) then remove the expansion tank cap.....carefully top up with (water will be fine for such a small amount) 50/50 water/coolant IF you know what type of coolant is in there (ask garage that changed coolant)....top up to the FULL line....replace tank cap and jobs a good 'un.......then keep a eye on it and hopefully it will never drop below the full line (when cold) again.....
No Coolant Alarm fitted ???? tut ! tut !

[missfixit70]

If the level hasn't dropped out of the header it's fine to just top up if you need to, but if it's midway between low & high it should be ok, mark 20mm up a lolly stick & dip it with that, that should be the right level. If you do top it up with antifreeze, you need to be sure you know what the garage used to fill it with, you don't want to be mixing incompatible coolant, best to go with water if you're not sure.
Don't forget, as has been said on this forum repeatedly, the standard temp gauge won't tell you much as it'll sit at 11 oclock all day long while the temp varies between @ 55 degrees & over 100 degrees before it'll move, good idea to modify it with a Mason alarm or the mod detailed in the factsheet on temp/coolant monitoring.