Metal Cap in Engine Bay

[mr2mike]

Hi People,

Firstly I'd like to apologise as although I'm quite mechanically minded and can understand the workings of most things, I get very confused by all the different fluids that go into a car and where they all go (except things like screen wash obviously).

Basically I've just been looking in the engine bay of my 1997 N/A GT and I'd like to know what the metal cap is towards the near-side, close to the one labelled "Coolant".

I'm assuming that it's to fill the radiator but could someone please help me out and also tell me how to check the level of whatever is meant to be poured into it (presumably water?).

I'd be extremely grateful for any assistance.

Thanks.


Regards,

Mike.

[Jaspa]

This one?


That is the coolant. You shouldn't put just water in there. It should be a mix of coolant (anti-freeze) and water.

Fill it to the top of the pipe is normal.

You'll also have the expansion tank close to it. The plastic bottle. This should be around half full of the same coolant.

HTH

Stuart

[foxy-stoat]

Read these and come back with any questions !

http://www.imoc.co.uk/forums/kb.php

The metal cap marked "coolant" is for....coolant. If your topping it up a little you can use water, if you have to put a lot in, then use coolant.

[Jaspa]

And I've removed your duplicate post. You don't need to ask twice

Stuart

[mr2mike]

And I've removed your duplicate post. You don't need to ask twice

Stuart

Sorry about that. I just did that to make sure someone saw it.

Apologies.

[mr2mike]

This one?


That is the coolant. You shouldn't put just water in there. It should be a mix of coolant (anti-freeze) and water.

Fill it to the top of the pipe is normal.

You'll also have the expansion tank close to it. The plastic bottle. This should be around half full of the same coolant.

HTH

Stuart

Yes that's the one.

I always thought the Coolant went in the plastic tank with the long neck and the black cap. I never realised it went in this metal cap (I really am embarrassed at how little I know about the workings of my car).

I've always let my local garage take care of servicing and such like so I've never needed to know, but I was just curious what the metal cap was for and if if should be full to the top, which it isn't.

I opened it earlier just to have a look inside and it wasn't exactly dry but there certainly wasn't any liquid in sight, and I wanted to know how this is supposed to be so that I can sort it.

Thanks again guys for your help.


Regards,

Mike.

[jimGTS]

only open this cap when the car is cold!

fill with coolent until you see it fill to the top..

alongside the oil dipstick, these 2 things i check everytime before i use the car....
(only weekend car)

[mr2mike]

only open this cap when the car is cold!

fill with coolent until you see it fill to the top..

alongside the oil dipstick, these 2 things i check everytime before i use the car....
(only weekend car)

Don't worry I only opened it after it'd been sat overnight as even I know what can happen if it's hot, but I wantedd to check with everyone on here whether I should've been able to see some coolant (which it appears I should) so I can sort this when I go out tomorrow and I'll add it until I can see it at the top of the filler pipe.

Is there anything else I need to know as I like to think I look after my car but I don't want to be neglecting anything through accidental ignorance.

Can you put Radweld in the coolant filler for example, to fill a small hole in the radiator temporarily if you had one or would that be a bad idea?

Thanks as always.


Regards,

Mike.

[foxy-stoat]

Putting rad weld in will cause no end of grief. Just get the rad changed.

I have a turbo rad, think they are the same, pm me if you need it.

[mr2mike]

Putting rad weld in will cause no end of grief. Just get the rad changed.

I have a turbo rad, think they are the same, pm me if you need it.

Righto, I'll bear that in mind. Thanks mate.

I've never used Radweld but just wondered if it would work because occasionally I get a tiny bit of steam from the front of my car when I'm stopped in traffic with the engine running after a decent length run, so I assumed there might be a small hole somewhere and am just running through what my options are at the moment.

I'll check it this weekend to see if there is anything wrong so if I need to then I'll be in touch with you privately about it.

Thanks again.


Regards,

Mike.

[foxy-stoat]

Cool, I'd check the O rings on the bleed and drain areas for leaks and the hoses too.

Theres a pic of the rad I am selling on the for sale MK2 section, its with a load of other bits but you should find it ok !