How high should the coolant level be?

[ImS3ola]

I've just been out to check the headlight condensation I saw last night, and I noticed the coolant level is only halfway up the bottle. Is this normal or should it be near the top.

Thanks /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[HTC]

Yup, normal. Look more closely and you will see a "Max" and "Min" mark. It should be midway between these.

 

[ImS3ola]

Ahhhh, I didn't see that. thanks htc.

 

[MickA3]

When the car is hot the coolant level will be higher than normal.......you should check the level when the car is cold

 

[MingBluS3]

i can only see the minimum /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[imported_maviceuk]

only a min line on mine

the max is the bottle seam / join (presumably)

always leave air space to allow for expansion !!

you will know when low (0.1mm below the minimum) as you will get annoying 3 beeps and red warning symbol when you start the engine

cheers

 

[Rev-head]

Hey thats right the max is the seam line on expansion tank

 

[imported_ashs3]

[ QUOTE ]
neil.c said:
No, when the coolant is heated up it expands which is why the level rises. The header tank is above the level of the radiator so the radiator is always full of coolant.

[/ QUOTE ]

Must be different on BMW's to Audi's then, saying that the filler tank on the beemer was attached to the right hand side of the rad.
It was def COLD/KALT at the top of the filler tank and this was 3 1/4's up, with HOT/HEISS at the bottom about 1/4 of the way up. When the engine was HOT the coolant level was low so the coolant was in the rad?

Anyone else care to comment?