MAINTENANCE CHECKS

 It’s important 1 to check there’s sufficient coolant inside the engine on a regular basis (once a week) to be able to spot the start of a leak or other problems. If the engine’s cooling system has a translucent expansion tank, then it only takes a few seconds to raise the bonnet and take a look. MIN and MAX markers on the side help to indicate whether the level is within the limit. Check this when the engine is cold.

Where the level cannot be checked by 2

looking at the side of the expansion tank, you may have to look inside it instead to see whether the coolant level is sufficient. There may be a marker inside, or as shown here, the word ‘Max’ that should be immersed in coolant. Only check the coolant when the engine is cold to avoid being scalded with pressurised fluid.

 If the coolant needs topping-up, do not

3 mix blue- and pink-coloured coolant because it can congeal (turn gloopy) and block the water pump, thermostat and pipework, resulting in overheating and more catastrophic engine trouble. Check the level of concentration required (coolant/ water) and pre-mix it in a clean jug or container.

 Pink coolant should be renewed every

4

5-6 years, whereas blue coolant needs to be renewed every two years. It’s also worthwhile testing the freezing and cooling capacity of the coolant at every service interval. This can be done with an antifreeze hydrometer, which requires a sample of coolant to be extracted to be able to check its freezing and cooling capacity.

Most antifreeze hydrometers cost under a tenner.

 Rubber coolant hoses can perish 5 and break down, resulting in leaks that may be difficult to find, so at every service interval, pinch each coolant hose to look for damage (when the engine is cold to avoid being scalded). Check that all securing clips are correctly fitted and not loose, but don’t overtighten Jubilee clips as they can tear through the rubber.

 Steel coolant pipes can corrode

6 and leak, often starting with a pin-sized hole in the metal that only leaks coolant when it’s hot and under pressure. Scrape a screwdriver along the metal surface of these coolant pipes to look for corrosion and see whether it has gone beyond the stage of surface rust.