Coolant Level Too High Options

[brendanq]

I have a Hyundai Accent 2000 1.5 CDX 30,000 miles.

i have noticed recently that the coolant level in the expansion box has gone above what it previously was(normally full mark, now its nearly filling the bottle), even when the engine is cold. not noticed any overheating tho only recently noticed this and have only done short journeys lately.

anybody got any ideas on this? any advice welcomed

thanks.

[jsinton]

Sounds like it's cold and the thermostat isn't opening early enough. Try replacing the thermostat. Did you ever change the anti freeze?

[brendanq]

thanks for the reply

the anti freeze would of been changed at the last service which was only in may.

going to give it a longer run 2moro so it can really warm everything up.

the thing is its has always been at about the full mark when cold, so why it is now well beyond the full mark and actually totally filling up the bottle im not sure. but im no mechanic either lol

[jetrinka]

As the engine warms up it sucks more coolant into itself via the tank because of expansion of metals exposed to heat. The exact opposite is true. Its been getting much colder out due to the changing seasons and the engine will contract more when its off causing less space for coolant. Results in pushing more coolant into the tank. Perfectly normal.

[brendanq]

ok that makes sense but im posting this on behalf of my dad. and he would of consistently looked at the engine over the 10yrs he has owned the car and if it was a season thing im sure he would of picked up on it in the past.

not saying right or wrong as i dont know at all. could be normal like u say but he would of seen it before. and at the mo it really isnt that cold here.

thanks for the useful info

the hyundai garage we use are very helpful so i think he might just give them a call to be on the safe side. tho hopefully like you say its totally normal.

ta

[rsquared]

Have your rad cap checked. If it doesn't hold the correct pressure, extra coolent will go into the overflow tank. This usually causes an overheating problem. Your short trips may have masked this.