Coolant level in 91 350SD...

[Blevinsax]

Sorry for the dumb question - I did a brief search, but did not find an answer quickly and I need to know ASAP.

How full should the coolant tank be? Is there a mark that shows how high the level should be? Does it vary with engine temp, etc?

I just got my car back from the mechanic - running GREAT, no oil leaks, cold A/C (new compressor), rebuilt injectors with Monark nozzles, etc. but the temp gauge is not registering the engine temp accurately. Shows 40-60C, but the engine is actually running (w/ A/C) at between 95C and 105C. I brought the car home, parked for a couple hours, and when I started it to go out again, my coolant light came on. I need to drive the car tomorrow if at all possible, so I need to know a couple things:

1. How full should the coolant level be?
2. Can I fill it with RO filtered water for the mean time?

Thanks for the help!

[compress ignite]

'Was the cooling system opened for any reason?
Why is the coolant level not correct,the automobile just back from the
Wrench Turner?
If the system was not refilled properly ("Burped" to get out the air) your
Temp gauge sensor may not be in contact with the LIQUID coolant and
therefore cannot read properly.
AND that gauge reading is the least of your worries.
Without a proper Temperature Gauge reading you may be flirting with
an overheat and not know until after the fact.
There should be markings on the side of the overflow tank(hopefully in
English...)

There are searches for testing of the sensor and gauge in the SEARCH
function.

[Blevinsax]

Well, I just added about 2 quarts of RO filtered water - hope that was okay. The manual says add water 'suitable for drinking' so I hope RO is sufficient.

I think perhaps my mechanic did not take into consideration my greasecar system (he was not the installer) and added just the amount called for by the manual. When I started the car and ran it a little while, the coolant filled all the coolant hoses in the greasecar system - maybe a total of 2 quarts for all the hoses.

I will start it again tomorrow morning and see what happens - any suggestions?

[Blevinsax]

Originally Posted by compress ignite

'Was the cooling system opened for any reason?

Yes - the radiator was removed to replace front seal among other repairs done - I put the car in the shop to fix all the bugs b/c I have a daughter on the way (my first) and I do not want to be driving her around in car with issues!

Originally Posted by compress ignite

Why is the coolant level not correct,the automobile just back from the
Wrench Turner?

See my previous post - perhaps he did not consider the greasecar system's extra coolant?

Originally Posted by compress ignite

If the system was not refilled properly ("Burped" to get out the air) your
Temp gauge sensor may not be in contact with the LIQUID coolant and
therefore cannot read properly.

Originally Posted by compress ignite

AND that gauge reading is the least of your worries. Without a proper Temperature Gauge reading you may be flirting with an overheat and not know until after the fact.

I know! When I got home, I checked the engine temp with my infrared thermometer - it read between 95C and 100C at the coolant temp sensor between the 2nd and 3rd cylinder. I think the engine was running a normal temp considering I was using A/C, but I do NOT want to drive it without an accurate measure of engine temps! The last thing I want to do is overheat it!

There should be markings on the side of the overflow tank(hopefully in
English...)[/QUOTE]

Nope - it is in German! Between an online translation and the manual, I figured out where the level should be.

Originally Posted by compress ignite

There are searches for testing of the sensor and gauge in the SEARCH function.

I will look into that tomorrow- thanks for the suggestion!

[jcciem]

There's an arrow right on the front of the tank, you can't miss it.










'91 350SD 515,000

[Blevinsax]

Originally Posted by jcciem

There's an arrow right on the front of the tank, you can't miss it.

'91 350SD 515,000

Found it and filled it! As I thought - the greasecar system filled up with coolant and pulled down the level. Everything is back to normal. Thanks for the help!

Wow - 515k on a 350SD? Original rod-bender engine? I only hope mine does that well - it's currently a 230k, so I hope it, too, lasts another 250k.