Should Antifreeze level in overlow tank do this?
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Joined: Aug 2005
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Originally Posted by markwb
What you're experiencing is pretty much normal because outside temps are lowering with winter coming. The coolant level in the recovery tank can vary a little at the "full hot" reference line from summer to winter. However, if you notice a significant drop in level, this would warrant looking further into the coolant system or UIM/LIM.
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Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Robbinsdale, MN
What you need to worry about is if it gets colder, and you see more when the engine is cold. That would suggest Ice forming and expanding. The coolant "shrinking" means it'* doing it'* job and keeping the engine full of a non freeze-able substance
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From: Dayton, OH
Antifreeze shrinking
The antifreeze shrinks in volume as it gets colder and expands when hot.
The maximum level will occur when both motor and radiator are hot. In cold weather the water in the radiator doesn't stay as warm when you're driving because of the colder air moving through the fins cooling it easier. So the volume of that part of the water in the system is less even when stopped after driving some miles.
In the colder temps the motor gets colder overnight than when outside is 50-60. So the water inside the motor shrinks in volume also. This means at 30 degrees the total volume will be substantially less than when the temps outside are 60 and the motor was driven a few hours ago; the water inside the motor is still warm after hours of sitting.
Change from week to week checks at totally cold temps are the best comparison I find. The volume hot in cold weather depends a lot on how the car has been driven and on the outside ambient air temps moving through the radiator. I mark the level on the recovery tank with a Sharpie at the temp I want to compare with later.
The maximum level will occur when both motor and radiator are hot. In cold weather the water in the radiator doesn't stay as warm when you're driving because of the colder air moving through the fins cooling it easier. So the volume of that part of the water in the system is less even when stopped after driving some miles.
In the colder temps the motor gets colder overnight than when outside is 50-60. So the water inside the motor shrinks in volume also. This means at 30 degrees the total volume will be substantially less than when the temps outside are 60 and the motor was driven a few hours ago; the water inside the motor is still warm after hours of sitting.
Change from week to week checks at totally cold temps are the best comparison I find. The volume hot in cold weather depends a lot on how the car has been driven and on the outside ambient air temps moving through the radiator. I mark the level on the recovery tank with a Sharpie at the temp I want to compare with later.
Nice detailed explanation.
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