Hi All, new to the board here.
I am an Iranian and I own a pearl white Kizashi CVT FWD SE 2013 model.
The car is brand new (4 months-old) and I've got about 1100 KM on it.
About two weeks ago, when I was inspecting inside the hood, I have noticed that the coolant reservoir level is almost near the "LOW" marks so I added it up with SUZUKI LLC: Super (Blue). About 4 days later, it was almost LOW again. It seems the coolant magically disappearing and I cannot understand where it really goes. There is no visible leak that I can see and no puddle underneath.
Then again, I have inspected it yesterday closely and I saw some blue chalky residue on top of radiator fans. The first thought that comes to my mind is that the coolant is getting pushed out the reservoir overflow tube when the engine warms up (maybe because of a bad radiator cap) and then it sprayed over the fans. Is that possible?
ANY suggestions would be appreciated !!
Coolant loss!
Welcome amoows,
A bad radiator cap or a leak in the hose going to the overflow reservoir could cause this. When you take the cap off the reservoir to refill, there must be a rubber hose attached to the cap which goes down to the bottom of the reservoir. I've seen those fall off into the coolant and cause the same thing.
Unfortunately, it could also be a bad head gasket or cracked head, so if it continues, you need to get it to a dealer.
A bad radiator cap or a leak in the hose going to the overflow reservoir could cause this. When you take the cap off the reservoir to refill, there must be a rubber hose attached to the cap which goes down to the bottom of the reservoir. I've seen those fall off into the coolant and cause the same thing.
Unfortunately, it could also be a bad head gasket or cracked head, so if it continues, you need to get it to a dealer.
Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms
Should be a convenience store, not a government agency
Should be a convenience store, not a government agency
+1 on the bad radiator cap. Make sure you put it on snug and close it all the way. If it keeps leaking, replace it. A bad/loose cap will cause the cooling system to depressurize. When it depressurizes, the boiling temperature of the coolant lowers so it boils easier. Boiling will cause the coolant to leak out and/or evaporate.
2025 Mazda CX-50 Preferred Hybrid
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Sold)
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Sold)
Whoa there guys ... When we hear hoofbeats, let's think horses not zebras ...
First thing is if there is air trapped in the system and if it was really full in the first place.
Park the car pointing up hill - you want to make sure the overflow tank is the highest point - and let the car run with the cap off the overflow tank. Make sure it's warmed up and the thermostat is open, with the heater on full blast. Check the level in the overflow does not go empty. If it does, add more.
Turn off the car and Let it completely cool down, and then make sure the overflow bottle is within the lines - add or drain as necessary.
It may take a couple times to get all the air out
Posted from tapatalk
First thing is if there is air trapped in the system and if it was really full in the first place.
Park the car pointing up hill - you want to make sure the overflow tank is the highest point - and let the car run with the cap off the overflow tank. Make sure it's warmed up and the thermostat is open, with the heater on full blast. Check the level in the overflow does not go empty. If it does, add more.
Turn off the car and Let it completely cool down, and then make sure the overflow bottle is within the lines - add or drain as necessary.
It may take a couple times to get all the air out
Posted from tapatalk
2011 Sport SLS with nav Black Pearl Metallic
~tc~ wrote:Whoa there guys ... When we hear hoofbeats, let's think horses not zebras ...
First thing is if there is air trapped in the system and if it was really full in the first place.
Park the car pointing up hill - you want to make sure the overflow tank is the highest point - and let the car run with the cap off the overflow tank. Make sure it's warmed up and the thermostat is open, with the heater on full blast. Check the level in the overflow does not go empty. If it does, add more.
Turn off the car and Let it completely cool down, and then make sure the overflow bottle is within the lines - add or drain as necessary.
It may take a couple times to get all the air out
Posted from tapatalk
These are near tell-tale signs of a depressurization at the radiator cap and the coolant is boiling over. Leak is likely from the cap and/or the reservoir which is supposed to catch some boil-over from the radiator cap area.amoows wrote: There is no visible leak that I can see and no puddle underneath.
Then again, I have inspected it yesterday closely and I saw some blue chalky residue on top of radiator fans.
I've had this happen before on my Impreza. I replaced the cap and the issue was resolved. Improper attachment of the cap on the radiator can even cause this.
2025 Mazda CX-50 Preferred Hybrid
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Sold)
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Sold)
Guys, thanks very much for all the comments.
My question was probably a stupid one and although I have never had any cooling problems but it seems the coolant reservoir is always empty (at least when the car is cold).
Anyway, today I did a very detailed inspection again (around and about the reservoir tank) and have determined that both the radiator and the reservoir caps are fine. Also there are no leaks in the hose and rubber hose is doing its job.
I learned that the reservoir also helps in removing air bubbles from the system as well as expansion and reserve of the coolant, so I assumed since it made of plastic and hot fluid expands there must be a way to get rid of the liquid if it is overfilled or so. What I'm thinking that happened is that when my car warmed up, the coolant expanded, causing the reservoir tank to become full, and it squirted out the top and sprayed onto the radiator fans, causing those "little blue chalky stuff" I mentioned.
I have also realised that there is a very small hole on the very top back of the reservoir tank, and most likely for overflow! Do you confirm this?
~tc~ mentioned something very interesting and reminds me that as the engine warms up, coolant expands. I am going to perform the up-hill test tomorrow and will update the result.
By the way here is a picture of my car in Tehran!
My question was probably a stupid one and although I have never had any cooling problems but it seems the coolant reservoir is always empty (at least when the car is cold).
Anyway, today I did a very detailed inspection again (around and about the reservoir tank) and have determined that both the radiator and the reservoir caps are fine. Also there are no leaks in the hose and rubber hose is doing its job.
I learned that the reservoir also helps in removing air bubbles from the system as well as expansion and reserve of the coolant, so I assumed since it made of plastic and hot fluid expands there must be a way to get rid of the liquid if it is overfilled or so. What I'm thinking that happened is that when my car warmed up, the coolant expanded, causing the reservoir tank to become full, and it squirted out the top and sprayed onto the radiator fans, causing those "little blue chalky stuff" I mentioned.
I have also realised that there is a very small hole on the very top back of the reservoir tank, and most likely for overflow! Do you confirm this?
~tc~ mentioned something very interesting and reminds me that as the engine warms up, coolant expands. I am going to perform the up-hill test tomorrow and will update the result.
By the way here is a picture of my car in Tehran!
Welcome Amoows.
Given how new your Kizashi is, I wouldn't be touching it any further. Take it straight back to the dealer.
PS: If they find out you've known about the coolant loss they may point the finger in your direction if something more serious does happen.
Given how new your Kizashi is, I wouldn't be touching it any further. Take it straight back to the dealer.
PS: If they find out you've known about the coolant loss they may point the finger in your direction if something more serious does happen.
David
Exactly - when one of the bubbles was purged from the system, it "burped" and pushed a little outamoows wrote:What I'm thinking that happened is that when my car warmed up, the coolant expanded, causing the reservoir tank to become full, and it squirted out the top and sprayed onto the radiator fans, causing those "little blue chalky stuff" I mentioned.
Posted from tapatalk
2011 Sport SLS with nav Black Pearl Metallic
If it happened once, you'd ignore it. But given the continual coolant loss it needs to be checked properly. It could be something as bad as a coolant hose loose somewhere- which could let go suddenly.
PS: If the engine's coolant level drops too far, the engine coolant temperature sensor won't be submersed in coolant. It needs to be in contact with the coolant to give an accurate temperature reading. This means the engine can be overheating and the dash coolant temp won't give you any abnormal indication. People often cook engines from sudden coolant loss and don't realise anything has gone wrong.
PS: If the engine's coolant level drops too far, the engine coolant temperature sensor won't be submersed in coolant. It needs to be in contact with the coolant to give an accurate temperature reading. This means the engine can be overheating and the dash coolant temp won't give you any abnormal indication. People often cook engines from sudden coolant loss and don't realise anything has gone wrong.
David
Um, not likely ...murcod wrote:If it happened once, you'd ignore it. But given the continual coolant loss it needs to be checked properly. It could be something as bad as a coolant hose loose somewhere- which could let go suddenly.
If he was truly losing this much, there would be obvious evidence.amoows wrote:There is no visible leak that I can see and no puddle underneath.
2011 Sport SLS with nav Black Pearl Metallic