Radiator fill question

[Jim/GA]

Originally Posted by Magicbox51

My question is how the devil do I check to see what my water level is, other than just wait for it to overheat if I am on a long trip? Any techniques for magically seeing down beyond the baffle? I am baffled.


-Baffled in Walla Walla

You will not see coolant above the baffle when engine is cold. I use a little wooden stir stick that I picked up at Starbucks as a dipstick on the side to the baffle.

When out on a drive, engine hot and running, you should see a good 1/2" of coolant over the baffle. So if you don't, add coolant to just cover the baffle a tiny bit and you are good to go. This is hot engine only, not cold.

YMMV.