Coolant - need to top up

[Curly]

Hi

Have k series and noticed yesterday water temp war rising rapidly when slowing down/stopping at lights. Air temp is about 20C ( In Aus on Great Ocean Road).

This morning found empty expansion tank and small drip on bottom hose of radiator -  managed to tighten hose clamp but need some more coolant - can I mix anti freeze/any specific type needed? Need is to get home -  back in Sydney 1000km of mainly highway driving

Cheers

Curly

[SM25T]

Was it red or blue coolant before it eascaped ? Use the same colour. Check all hose clamps every month or so, especially the ones that are hard to get at, like (on a k-series) under the inlet on the thermostat.

[SM25T]

If temperature rising when car standing still, check the fan is working and blowing in the right direction. Airflow should be from front if car towards rear. If wrong (and i have seen this on a new build !) ... Reverse the wires to the fan.

Unplug wires from thermo switch in top of radiator and short together with ignition on. Fan should run. If it doesn't, start with the fuse.

[SLR No.77]

Curly, to get you home ideally using the same colour coolant is the best option, but if you can't get any then the alternatives will be fine, including water if there's no coolant available. The wrong coolant should only be an issue if left in long term.

Of course if you can't get the correct coolant it'd be best to drain it and refill with the right stuff when you're home, but for now you just need to get there.

Stu.

[7 wonders of the world]

Colour is not always the best guide unless you know the manufacturer as there is no industry standardization linking colours to types of coolant - 

Short term top up with water, long term drain flush and refill with correct coolant,

[Jonathan Kay]

Good advice above.

Until this is solved I suggest carrying some spare coolant or water just in case.

Jonathan

PS: When you feel like a break there's a great walking trail along the coast from Apollo Bay to the Twelve Apostles. And a lot of "Drive on the left" signs as you return to the main road... 

[PeterM]

Empty expansion tank and small drip from bottom hose' ................doesn't 'compute' that well with me.

Was there a significant puddle under the rad? Have you checked other areas, like sump level? 

[timb2117]

To be sure work your way back up from that drip and check anything else higher that may have leaked, sadly I've been caught like this before.

Hey Curly was it yourself who recently emigrated, did they have to "dry pack" your car - could they have removed the hose to drain the system and then not re fitted it well enough?

If you find its just the system not up to Australian climate pm me as I did a wicked two fan and cowling set up and mine even in QLD sun sits at 82 degrees all day long...

[Curly]

HI

Sorry for the delayed reply - back in Sydney -  all good, I think I have had a small leak for a long time and just reached the point where  the system was feeling a bit parched...

Ended up putting in about 2 litres over a couple of days and since then it have noticed no drops  or level changes but that the temp is running about 5 C lower than before - strange how cooling systems work when they have coolant in...

Yes I did ship the car  to Aus but it was shipped full of fluids just dry for petrol, so can't blame the shippers....

Can recommend the Great Ocean Road  especially from Lorne to Apollo Bay -  they clearly designed if for the Caterham, with pullover spots for slow vehicles that people actually used!!!!  Had a fantastic trip -  3500km in a week, just 2 hours needing the half hood and mostly empty roads.

Cheers

Curly