Coolant temperatures
The coolant temperature is controlled by a pointer, which, depending on the model of the car, is located either above the control lamps in the center of the instrument cluster, or in the lower part of the instrument cluster to the left of the tachometer.
A few seconds after the ignition is turned on, the pointer arrow takes one of the following positions (from left to right):
- engine low temperature zone (continuous risk): when the arrow is in this zone, engine operation at increased speeds is not allowed;
- engine normal operating temperature zone (from the end of the continuous notch of the low temperature zone to the right notch): Depending on the engine load and outside temperature, the pointer moves within this central zone. With increased loads and high outside temperatures, the arrow may approach the right risk. At lower loads, the arrow returns to the central zone.
In the center of the pointer is a control lamp for emergency coolant temperature, which lights up after the ignition is turned on and flashes for some time. If it starts flashing while driving, this indicates an overheating of the engine, and on some car models, an insufficient level of coolant in the expansion tank. In this case, you must immediately stop the car, check the fluid level in the expansion tank and, if necessary, restore it. If the fluid level is normal, check for a blown fuse protecting the cooling fan circuit. If the fault is not caused by any of the indicated reasons, contact a workshop.
If the malfunction is caused only by a malfunction of the electric fan, then you can continue driving to the nearest workshop, provided that the coolant level is normal and that the indicator lamp has gone out, and the speed is sufficient to cool the engine with oncoming air flow.
Coolant level
Check the coolant level in the expansion tank periodically only on a cold engine (simultaneously with checking the oil level in the engine oil sump) and every time before traveling a long distance.
On a cold engine, the fluid level in the expansion tank must be between the marks «Min» and «max», printed on the wall of the tank. If necessary, restore the normal fluid level by adding a mixture of G11 antifreeze and distilled water in a ratio of 40% and 60%.
The engine cooling system is sealed. Therefore, any decrease in the level of coolant in the expansion tank can only be caused by a violation of the tightness of the system. Locate the leak by checking the radiator, hoses, cylinder head gasket, then fix it.
Before pouring liquid into the cooling system, it is necessary to cool the engine, then turn the plug of the expansion tank to the left one turn to equalize the pressures, then completely unscrew the plug.
Fill in cold coolant only when the engine is cold, so as not to damage the engine.
Warning: do not open the expansion tank cap when the engine is hot to avoid burns.
Electric fan of the cooling system
When the engine is hot, the electric fan may suddenly turn on even when the ignition is off. Therefore, when performing any work on a hot or running engine, the hands and clothes of the worker must be kept away from the fan blades to avoid injury.
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