Overheating diagnosis help

[JoeT4R]

At every fillup I check the oil level and shake the fender to make sure my tank is between the low and high Mark. Cold engine I have it on the top line so when the engine gets up to temp I’m above the top line around 1/2”. Which it how it’s supposed to happen. That’s how all the air gets purged out of the cooling system.

Never let it go below the low mark.


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Well it looks like I’ll be getting on that tomorrow, then!

 

[Skulking]

Just want to ask, could/would a low coolant overflow reservoir have any impact on this? If yes, should I always have a full reservoir? Mine has been pretty low for at least 1 year and I have noticed slightly warmer temps during the summer months but nothing absurd or overly concerning. However if those can be eliminated by filling the overflow reservoir then of course I want to get on that NOW!

You should have coolant up to the full line on the coolant reservoir. That allows the radiator to draw in coolant if it needs to, and leaves enough room for expanding coolant to be expelled without making a mess.

 

[HiLife]

Coolant sitting on the full line when the engine is at operating temp.
That way after a few cool down cycles you can tell at a glance (with the engine at operating temp) if there are issues with the coolant level.

 

[Romeo1]

The coolant “tank” is just a Degas bottle. Unless you’re on a vehicle that a radiator cap on the tank itself, the overflow or the Degas tank is not part of the loop.

You do need to maintain a level in that the degas or overflow tank because you can get a certain level of evaporation happening out of the radiator from the overflow/relief because of it. If your level in the overflow tank is changing, it is leaking and going away somewhere, it does not return to the cooling system.