what happens if radiator/overfill tank is overfilled?

[Keltronic]

(on a 94 Integra)

I had a total coolant loss this morning with no easily visible cause. The entire system is 1 year old (except the radiator cap?). I had an oil change a week ago, and they say they added coolant, but I'm pretty sure that it was at an ok level already. So my somewhat-helpful Haynes manual lists "too much coolant in system" under possible causes for coolant loss, but doesn't elaborate.

So what happens if there is too much coolant in the system?

Thanks,
-KM

 

[TeGGeR®]

(on a 94 Integra)

I had a total coolant loss this morning with no easily visible cause.

Did it disappear only from the reservoir, or did the rad go dry as well?

The entire system is 1 year old (except the radiator cap?).

And how old is that? If it can't hold pressure, it will allow coolant to blow back into the reservoir.

So what happens if there is too much coolant in the system?

It will overflow out the reservoir filler cap and spill on to the road.
Other than that, nothing.

 

['Curly Q. Links']

keltronic,

First, What is your definition of a 'total coolant loss', and where / when did it happen? The expansion tank being empty does not make a 'total loss'. Look inside the cap on the radiator and get back to us.

Too much coolant in the system is not a big problem. After your first trip, most air in the rad will burp out into the expansion tank, and level will go down a bit when the rad sucks it up as it cools. Keeping the tank half-full makes it simpler to see if you're losing or gaining (both can be BAD news).

Have you read the user's manual thoroughly?

'Curly'

(on a 94 Integra)

I had a total coolant loss this morning with no easily visible cause. The entire system is 1 year old (except the radiator cap?). I had an oil change a week ago, and they say they added coolant, but I'm pretty sure that it was at an ok level already. So my somewhat-helpful Haynes manual lists "too much coolant in system" under possible causes for coolant loss, but doesn't elaborate.

So what happens if there is too much coolant in the system?

Thanks,
-KM

 

[NetSock]

And how old is that? If it can't hold pressure, it will allow coolant to blow back into the reservoir.

All modern radiator cap are "two way". They allow the coolant to go back to the reservoir by design.

 

[Robert]

If you think you have too much, just pull some from the reservoir tank