Contents: Checking the coolant level ⤓ Loss of coolant ⤓ It doesn't work ⤓ Topping up the coolant ⤓ Engine cooling fan ⤓
The cooling system is filled at the factory with a long-life coolant that is not replaceable. The coolant consists of water and a glycol-based antifreeze with anticorrosive additives. This mixture not only provides the necessary protection against frost and corrosion, but also prevents limescale deposition and significantly increases the boiling point of the coolant. If it becomes necessary to top up the coolant or replace the filled liquid, for this reason only a mixture of clean water and a coolant agent or additive should be used.
Warning! Coolant additive and coolant are toxic!
Therefore, the coolant additive should be stored in the original container, out of reach, especially for children. If the coolant needs to be drained, it should also be stored in a safe place.
In the engine compartment there is a top-up tank and a compensation tank. The coolant level is usually checked only in the top-up tank. The level in the compensation tank should only be checked in the event of large coolant losses or when the coolant temperature/coolant level control light comes on.
Checking the coolant level
The correct coolant level is essential for the proper functioning of the cooling system.
Open the maintenance cover behind the license plate shield. The coolant level with the engine cold should be visible between the "Min." and "Max." marks on the top-up reservoir; when the engine is warm, it may be slightly higher than the "Max" mark.
The coolant level can only be checked correctly when the engine is not running.
Loss of coolant
Under normal operating conditions, the cooling system requires almost no maintenance. Coolant losses can be explained primarily by leaks. In this case, the cooling system should be immediately checked by the company's service. Simply topping up the coolant will not be enough.
In a sealed system, losses can only occur when the coolant boils as a result of overheating and is thereby forced out of the cooling system.
Causes of coolant overheating:
- The supply of cooling air is disrupted, for example, through the radiator blinds due to significant contamination of the radiator fins (leaves, dust, insects) or additional headlights in front of the radiator grille,
- Due to the incorrect ratio of mixture components, the boiling point of the coolant has decreased.
It doesn't work
At extremely high outside temperatures - a prolonged climb is overcome in too low a gear with very high engine speed.
Topping up the coolant
When the coolant warning light comes on, you should also check the expansion tank and fill it to the brim if necessary.
First turn off the engine and let it cool down a little, then cover the threaded cap with a rag, carefully turn the cap a quarter turn to the left and let the excess pressure escape. Then unscrew the cap completely.
Warning! Do not open the threaded cap when the engine is hot - you risk getting burned! The cooling system is under pressure!
Do not fill above the "Max" mark
Excess coolant leaves the cooling system when heated.
In order to ensure that corrosion protection is always ensured, the cooling system does not calcify and the boiling point does not decrease, the ratio of the coolant mixture components should not change even in the warm season or in hot countries as a result of adding clean water: the additive component to the coolant should be at least 40% (freeze protection down to -25°C).
Tighten the lid screw until it stops.
After this, the cooling system should be deaerated with the engine running (noticeably increased idle speed). To do this, remove the air intake grille (see below), unscrew the threaded plug of the ventilation hole at the top of the radiator and set the heating lever to "warm". As soon as the coolant comes out, close the threaded plug of the ventilation hole. Add coolant to the expansion tank and the top-up tank.
Engine cooling fan
The engine cooling system fan is driven by an electric motor and controlled by a thermal switch depending on the coolant temperature.
Therefore, when the engine is warm, the fan may work for some time after the engine is turned off or suddenly turn on - also when the ignition is turned off!
Instructions
If the fan does not work even though the coolant temperature is very high, the fuse must be checked and replaced if necessary.
The rotation speed of the engine cooling fan is independent of the rotation speed of the engine shaft. Therefore, the cooling effect cannot be increased by shifting from higher to lower gears. As long as the engine shaft rotates without radial runout or when climbing a hill without a significant drop in speed, there is no need to shift from higher to lower gears.