ChristInBen

Hey guys,

So I was starting my car to go to church this morning and the engine coolant light came on for about 30 seconds and then went off!



I drove a lot yesterday, but that shouldn't really matter, the only thing I did was on Friday (as per my previous thread) I got those two TSB's done, and I'm kinda pissed that Mazda didn't check the coolant level on their "test" drive. Anyway, I checked the reservoir (the thing is so hard to tell cuz it's a yellow tank, plus the "F" and "L" are so close together) and it appears to be low.

My car has only 60K on it and the manual says to flush coolant at 96K, is it normal for coolant to get this low at this kind if kms? Anyway. here's my other dilemma, I need to drive around to today to do something's, and the Mazda service is closed....so, is it safe to go to a Jiffy Lube, or a crappy tire to fill up the coolant? Would it void warranty? Has this happened to you guys?

ARGHRGHR I'm so upset at this inconvenience!

Thanks for your help and God Bless.

Ben.

dannobre

iTrader: (3)

Add about a cup....and it will likely stop

(check the level...it might need more than that.........but it would be normal for it to be down a little bit at 60K)

Just go to Crappy Tire and buy a bottle of pre-mixed coolant..and top it up!

ChristInBen

Thanks so much for your advice dude....is there a specific brand, or type I need (as in we need 5W-20 for oil)? Also, I'm really nervous about opening the rad cap to fill the coolant....any tips (other than don't get burned! lol)? Or should I get a guy at crappy tire or Mr. Lube to do it?

dannobre

iTrader: (3)

Go to crappy tire...buy a bottle of Prestone coolnt..the pre-mixed stuff

Open hood when the vehicle has cooled off...if your nervous...wait till tomorrow AM

Open coolant tank cap...put in coolant till you get to half way between Max and Min in bottle......close lid

If the car is cold it's real easy....

Don't open it hot.....you will get burnt....and spray 100+ deg C coolant all over your arm and engine bay

ChristInBen

Haha, well, I'll buy the coolant, but is it safe to have a crappy tire or Jiffy Lube service guy fill up the coolant....I love my arm btw!

dannobre

iTrader: (3)

I think you can handle it...just open it cold..there is NO problem if the car is cold!

Mazurfer

Yes, but why? Just make sure it's not hot. Follow the directions above..........and open the cap SLOWLY(if you think it might be warm) and with a good rag on top just in case. If you hear pressure escaping then you know it's warm, so then wait awhile. They will probably charge you to put it in and that's just wasted money. But...........if you are really set on that idea, then go for it.

MysterLo

Hey guys, I too get the low engine coolant light lighting up depending on the temperature outside. The coolant light even comes on sometimes while i'm cruising on the highway, then goes out. Very strange. Oh well I guess I too shall follow your recommendations dannobre and make a trip to Crappy Tire and buy some coolant.

Mazurfer

Yes....go buy some, but also know that there have been some issues with the sensor in that overflow tank(I'll call it). If adding coolant doesn't solve it........then...... if/when the sensor is bad, you have two choices:

1.) Ignore it and keep an eye on it yourself.

2.) Get a new tank because the sensor is part of the tank and you can't just buy the sensor.

Dave

This does assume the wiring is okay of course.

ChristInBen

Haha, too bad you're not in Sauga, or we could a met up and had a "coolant meet" lol. Yeah I'm gonna go to crappy tire and do that now.

Element

I had this issue, and it didnt matter if I topped it up because it was always full. I had to buy a whole new coolant tank.

ChristInBen

Is this a TSB or warranty repair? Cuz I actually checked the coolant level and it's fine. A guy at Jiffy Lube said it's at a normal level.

dannobre

iTrader: (3)

If it's not working...and you still have warranty..they should fix it under warranty.

If not...it's an expensive little bottle to just fix the light

R888

I have this same **** before. Because the coolant level is low!!

Add it!

delhi

Whoa! Hold on there eager beaver! Check the manual. Some rx-8s come filled with Long Life coolants (FL22). These are suppose to last for 120mths! Adding non-FL22 will compromise its qualities reducing it to regular stuff. Check the coolant cap for the FL22 sticker. If present use only FL22 coolant. Otherwise, the cheap prestone stuff is good enough.

Element

Should be warranty if you have it. I didnt and I paid out of pocket for it.

The new bottle actually makes reading the level much easier too.

herbert

My coolant light used to come up quite a bit at start up. It would last 20 - 30 secs then go out. Next time I was in at the dealer, I told them about it. They topped it up. I haven't had it come on since. So ChristInBen, I would not worry about it needing to be repaired/replaced yet. Just get it topped up and go from there.

ChristInBen

Hey thanks for the help....yeah I went to the dealer this morning and they topped it up and it was fine....haven't seen the light yet!

Mazurfer

Good then it wasn't the sensor...at least to this point. I just wanted you to know that it COULD be and you needed to be aware of that. It was always top it off and see if that was it.........glad it looks like it might have been!

Streetsville

Ben:

You worry way too much.

Just drive it and enjoy, it's only a car.

PS. I use Mississauga Mazda, much better experience than Erin Mills where I bought my '04.

ChristInBen

Hehe thanks bro,yeah maybe I do a bit more than usual cuz I wanna keep it in pristine condition!

dannobre

iTrader: (3)

That will get you in big dodo......if you have flashing lights popping up on your dash and you ignore them...you will have big problems with keeping your car running properly.

He did the right thing...if you don't know....ask someone that does.

Some things won't be as forgiving as the coolant level light.

delhi

I always keep my coolant topped up to avoid the dealership from putting cheap prestone to mix with the factory FL22.

ChristInBen

I thought the dealership topped up with the FL22 or the right coolant?

delhi

err yes and they break open a new microfiber cloth for each courtesy car wash.....