Could someone clarify this for me?

[CraigC]

Where to check engine coolant levels...?

I\'ve read quite a few threads on this, but I am still a bit unclear on this (new \'7\' owner this weekend)

I need to check my engine coolant levels as I am currently getting a continous coolant waring light buzzer & light from cold start-up...

From what I gather I should be adding coolant into the centre (yellow) cap to get the coolant into the engine - from what I have read, the plastic filler neck above the driver front light is an overflow chamber only and is not pressurised?? that right?

The main chamber (yellow cap) is bone dry & I can\'t see any coolant - should this be full or near full - and could this be the cause of my buzzer going of perhaps???

If anyone could clarify for me and and anyone else who may need clarification?

Sorry if I am sounding like a duffus - just don\'t want to damage my new toy ...!

Cheers

[bnaellis]

Craig,

remove the cap in the centre next to the airpump, also remove the cap from the AST tank on the right next to the battery.
Next fill up from the center until the ASTtank is full to the brim.
When that is done place pressure cap back on AST tank start engine the center  one will go down a little, just top it back up until it\'s filled to the brim and put cap back on.
The sensor that goes off is because the coolant is low in the centre. The coolant only needs to go down a little and that alarm goes off. If the car has actually overheated and the temp gauge went up to the top take the car back if you can and get your money back as the side plates will probably of warped and you will need a rebuild in the not too distant future due to coolant related issues. If not keep your fingers crossed as these engines really don\'t like being overheated at all.

rgds

[CraigC]

Brian thanks...

Yes... the reason that the light has come on is because I picked th car up from the garage around a 2 hr drive home from Hertfordshire - to Sutton, Surrey. It was fine all the way home until I was about 5 mins from home and the temperature went right up to the highest point & when I stopped some coolant leaked out from under driver side headlight...

Car is currently parked on quite a slope - wonder if this affects it?

I spoke to the garage - they said to top up the coolant and drive it back and they\'d check it over? I am a bit concerned with doing this..!

Do you think it could be on its way out? It only has 60,000 kms on clock - surely not yet...?

Any advice greatly appreciated...

Cheers

Craig

[scooby_si]

ah wondered how you get the air out of the AST myself, so next stupid question how do you take the cap off the AST is it just the plastic bit right in the middle you can see thru or are there 2 nuts (cant see clearly now on some of the piux i have) & remove the entire top?
Cheers
Si
PS the trouble you have is the stocks gauges are pretty poor & if they\'re right at top then it does mean they have been seriously cooking as i understand it......hope it\'s not all bad but as Brian said it could well be the case i guess (read i\'m not very knowledgeable but Brian on the other hand is)

[gsb876]

The only time my rx overheated the Power FC saved me as that read 110oC and the regular one said "normal", So i pulls over into the hard shoulder and once i stop the regular one shoots up!!!!

Bit late like!!!! So at a guess i would say the regular water temp wont budge until you get to 115oC???

Do as Brian says in ways of filling the coolant levels up, then take the car back, if it overheats on the way back too give the car back for a full refund, if they are being diffecult tell them you will name and shame them on this here forum which will effect their custom as word spreads like s"£"!!!!

Gurj:)

[bnaellis]

Originally posted by scooby_si
ah wondered how you get the air out of the AST myself, so next stupid question how do you take the cap off the AST is it just the plastic bit right in the middle you can see thru or are there 2 nuts (cant see clearly now on some of the piux i have) & remove the entire top?
Cheers
Si
PS the trouble you have is the stocks gauges are pretty poor & if they\'re right at top then it does mean they have been seriously cooking as i understand it......hope it\'s not all bad but as Brian said it could well be the case i guess (read i\'m not very knowledgeable but Brian on the other hand is)

Don\'t get you mate ?
If it\'s how to remove the cap just undo but you may need to eat 3 weetabix first though can be a liitle tight.

rgds

[gsb876]

Simon be WIMP!!!!!:yes :flamed

[scooby_si]

How dare you http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008\' target=\'_blank\'>http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/10/10_10_1.gif\' border=0>lol
No i haven\'t actually ever tried removing it but as i say i wondered how you got the air out of it does the whole top (ie same width as the unit) bit i\'ve gone round in red, unscrew or do you have to do something with the bits (not sure if they\'re bolts now i think about it probably not) i\'ve done in blue?
(hey you know what it looks like now dont you lol)

[J4P RX]

Thats not the AST.  They are talking about the bit thats attached onto the intercooler, with a little filler cap like the normal one.

[scooby_si]

ah (Si shows lack of knowledge!) wot the hell is that bit then i always thought that was the AST....?
Si

[scooby_si]

is that air con related then?

[Fish]

Yes, its the air-con condeser.

Si, you northern monkey... :p

Fish

[scooby_si]

So how you say i get air out of that then next you\'ll be telling me there\'s some button in the car next to work it lol
Cheers
Si (midland based mocker of both northern & southerners lol)

[scooby_si]

back on subject thou Craig defo top up the coolant, dunno as i\'d wana do a long drive either but if you can do what Brian said as a result then maybe a good plan & i guess (READ WAIT TILL SOMEONE WITH MORE KNOW HOW CONFIRMS) any damage if done will already be so & more driving as long as at a suitable temp wont really change much other than maybe continue any damage done, erm damn i\'m not very good at this cheering up thing am i, hopefully as we all hope i\'m sure it\'s all tickety boo but let us know how you get on/decide or otherwise mate?
Si

[Fish]

Originally posted by scooby_si
So how you say i get air out of that then next you\'ll be telling me there\'s some button in the car next to work it lol
Cheers
Si (midland based mocker of both northern & southerners lol)

On the top you have a little looky glass. This tells you if the system if properly pressurised or not. If you see loads of bubbles, then it needs re-charging.

Fish