How do you add coolant to a car?

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C

Chiropteran

Diamond Member
Nov 14, 2003
9,811
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I thought it was pretty simple.

Step 1- open the hood
Step 2- find the coolant reservoir
Step 3- pour in some water/antifreeze.

I got stuck on step 1. I was in a minor accident a month ago, couldn't stop fast enough and rear-ended someone, I probably wasn't going much more than 5 mph but it damaged my car's grill. The other driver's car was fine, and even though I hit him he just waved me off and drove away without filing an accident report with the police or insurance.

I thought it was just some minor damage to the grill. Last night my coolant light came on on the way home from work, so I decided to add some this morning. Nope, the hood won't open.

Seems like such a minor thing, but I'm going to have to take it in. I hope it's cheap to fix.

garaged
- vi
Off Topic Mod
 
buck

buck

Lifer
Dec 11, 2000
12,273
4
81
You know, there is a forum for questions just like this.....
 
lxskllr

lxskllr

No Lifer
Nov 30, 2004
59,391
9,919
126
Bang on the hood as you pull the release latch(easier with 2 people). Many times that'll get it to pop.
 
hanoverphist

hanoverphist

Diamond Member
Dec 7, 2006
9,867
23
76
Originally posted by: lxskllr
Bang on the hood as you pull the release latch(easier with 2 people). Many times that'll get it to pop.
Click to expand...

w3rd. unless the release is bent.
 
mcvickj

mcvickj

Diamond Member
Dec 13, 2001
4,602
0
76
Originally posted by: lxskllr
Bang on the hood as you pull the release latch(easier with 2 people). Many times that'll get it to pop.
Click to expand...

You might also need to use something to gently pry the hood open if the latch has been bent from the accident.
 
silverpig

silverpig

Lifer
Jul 29, 2001
27,703
12
81
Originally posted by: nkgreen
Grinder w/ metabo blade. Cut the hood off. Add coolant. Profit.
Click to expand...

Better yet, just cut the hood off and you won't need coolant!
 
K1052

K1052

Elite Member
Aug 21, 2003
51,929
44,787
136
Cut holes in the hood with a sawzall until you find the appropriate cap.
 
sao123

sao123

Lifer
May 27, 2002
12,653
205
106
Originally posted by: Chiropteran
I thought it was pretty simple.

Step 1- open the hood
Step 2- find the coolant reservoir
Step 3- pour in some water/antifreeze.

I got stuck on step 1. I was in a minor accident a month ago, couldn't stop fast enough and rear-ended someone, I probably wasn't going much more than 5 mph but it damaged my car's grill. The other driver's car was fine, and even though I hit him he just waved me off and drove away without filing an accident report with the police or insurance.

I thought it was just some minor damage to the grill. Last night my coolant light came on on the way home from work, so I decided to add some this morning. Nope, the hood won't open.

Seems like such a minor thing, but I'm going to have to take it in. I hope it's cheap to fix.
Click to expand...

your accident might have damaged your radiator.... sounds expensive hmmm?
 
Modelworks

Modelworks

Lifer
Feb 22, 2007
16,240
7
76
Reminds me of my niece. Her check oil light came on and she didn't want the motor to burn up. So she bought 4 quarts of oil and filled up the valve cover because it wasn't full :)
 
WaTaGuMp

WaTaGuMp

Lifer
May 10, 2001
21,207
2,506
126
If I ever hear a noise in my car that means something is broken I fix it right away by turning up the radio.
 
Homerboy

Homerboy

Lifer
Mar 1, 2000
30,890
5,001
126
Originally posted by: WaTaGuMp
If I ever hear a noise in my car that means something is broken I fix it right away by turning up the radio.
Click to expand...

Are you my wife?
 
C

Chiropteran

Diamond Member
Nov 14, 2003
9,811
110
106
Originally posted by: sao123


your accident might have damaged your radiator.... sounds expensive hmmm?
Click to expand...

I sure hope not. The accident was more than a month ago, I think if the radiator was damaged the coolant light would have come on sooner.

 
D

DeadByDawn

Platinum Member
Dec 22, 2003
2,349
0
0
Originally posted by: Chiropteran
Originally posted by: sao123


your accident might have damaged your radiator.... sounds expensive hmmm?
Click to expand...

I sure hope not. The accident was more than a month ago, I think if the radiator was damaged the coolant light would have come on sooner.
Click to expand...

Not if it was a small leak. Also if your radiator is leaking there's a good chance your ac condensor is messed up too.

Could just be a hose or any number of small things though.
 
L

LordMorpheus

Diamond Member
Aug 14, 2002
6,871
1
0
I'd consider taking it to a garage and explaining that you can't get your hood open. A nice mechanic will have it open in two minutes and won't charge you anything for it.
 
BrokenVisage

BrokenVisage

Lifer
Jan 29, 2005
24,771
14
81
I don't know anything about coolant, but if you want to add coolant to your car just get a bunch of NAS decals and slap them on.
 
bruceb

bruceb

Diamond Member
Aug 20, 2004
8,874
111
106
I agree, at this point take it to a mechanic. If you try to force it open yourself, you will likely damage the hood. Then you will need a body shop to fix the hood, a new latch or cable as needed and most likely either a repair or replacement of both the AC condenser and the car radiator. You can be almost 100% certain the accident is the reason you are now very slowly loosing coolant. And as mentioned above, ac condenser is ahead of the radiator, so you can be sure it is damaged as well. Once the weather warms up, you will see the results of not fixing it asap. Only good thing, is your insurance won't go up. But it will cost your deductible and more to fix (presuming a $250 or so deductible) ... Figure on about $700 - $900 or so to fix it.
 
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