Car Question - Coolant

[jdub1107]

First off, I don't know much about cars. While driving to work today, I noticed that the temp gauge was fluctuating from normal to high and back to normal again while I was driving. I checked the coolant tank and found that it was empty. I'm going to add water to it before I drive home tonight. Is it strange that the coolant tank was empty? I heard that it's not suppose to empty. I'm not sure how big of a problem this is. Thanks.

 

[nakedfrog]

I wouldn't suggest straight water.

 

[jlbenedict]

the general standard should be 50% coolant, 50% water mixture.. of course thats dependent on what area and temperature extremes your vehicle is exposed to..

As the previous poster mentioned... straight water would be a big No No with the winter months approaching

 

[EagleKeeper]

You may have a leak somewhere in the cooling system.

Best thing is to have it pressure tested.

The temp fluctuations are usually due to air getting into the coolant flow.
This is either from a leak of the fact that air is being sucked in from the recovery tank as the engine cools down.

Use water if coolant is not available; with the pressure cap only on slightly until you find the problem.

 

[jdub1107]

Originally posted by: jlbenedict
the general standard should be 50% coolant, 50% water mixture.. of course thats dependent on what area and temperature extremes your vehicle is exposed to..

As the previous poster mentioned... straight water would be a big No No with the winter months approaching

I don't have access to coolant right now. I have about a 40 min drive home later. Would it be better for the car to add a little bit of water or to just leave it empty?

 

[laurenlex]

Add water. More coolant when you get home, or take to shop.

 

[Eli]

Sounds like a thermostat problem.

But yes, make sure the system is full.

 

[FoBoT]

you can temporarily add just water to get home/to the shop

then get it checked out to find the leak and they'll flush/fill with the correct stuff

 

[LeiZaK]

fill it with water and get the mix right later when it is convenient... DO NOT leave it empty.

 

[Gravity]

Don't let your car operate near the H for long. As bulletprooof as it seems to you, if it gets too hot it's gonna melt and it won't reboot like your computer.

 

[jdub1107]

Ok, thanks. I'll add the water.

Another thing is, is it normal for the temp gauge to fluctuate? It seems that once the engine starts heating up, it shouldn't cool down so easily. Oh yeah, when I was idle the heat gauge would start creeping up, then when I start moving, it would go back down to normal again. So pretty much, if I was moving the gauge would read normal.

 

[Minjin]

Radiator fan isn't coming on.

Mark

 

[EagleKeeper]

Moving increases air flow across the radiator fins; that enhances the cooling.

If the temp continues climbs when idling with minimum loading (no A/C), you have a cooling problem;

Radiator may be clogged or worse. Hose could be collapsing creating a vacum. Fan not turning; etc.

Second and third can be observed by you.

Get a professional to check it out before you cook the engine.

 

[redgtxdi]

Also.........you have a couple options as opposed to tap water........

At least, use some distilled water.......(better for your cooling system internals)

And nowadays you can walk into any autoparts store & get 50/50 premixed. No more than $10 for a bottle.