Coolant Level

hawaiicobra · #1 (**permalink**) 12-17-2006, 12:24 PM

Does anyone know where the coolant level should be in the overflow tank.That appears to be the only access to the radiator since its buried in the nose of the car.What brand are you guys using. Also, when are you guys switching to synthetic motor oil and what brand and wt.I have a Roush 402r and did 20-50 at 500mile change.

uncltodd · #2 (**permalink**) 12-17-2006, 02:51 PM

We always "preflight" the Cobra, air pressure 18PSI on all four, brake fluid OK, oil level OK and clean, coolant within an inch of the top of the tank.

Oil? Motorcraft 5-20, a synthetic, great in my bizarre climate. No advice here, that's just what I use every 1K miles. And change the air cleaner!!!

BDR#139 has a dinky coolant tank, the easiest thing to reach under the bonnet, the overflow makes a puddle on the floor when she cools off.

Gunrack is a driver, not a trailer queen, not an investment. My car is a dead loss, for investment purposes. Sorry.

UT

Speedysnake · #3 (**permalink**) 12-17-2006, 05:09 PM

From the "for what it's worth" dept. ;

I fussed with the coolant level in my BDR for a while, then I just set a coffee can under the overflow when I put the car in the garage. I found a bit of coolant in the can after the next couple of trips, then, nothing. Once it was good & cold, I checked the level in the expansion tank & found it just over 1/2 full. I've checked it several times since then & found the level has stabilized. I've run about 1,500 miles since then, and have had no problems with coolant or overheating. I believe each car will be different, but you should be able to find the right level & not have to keep adding a bit of coolant.

madmaxx · #4 (**permalink**) 12-18-2006, 05:44 PM

I also had it 1/2 full, it is an expansion tank it needs some volume of air. Never had a drop on the ground if I kept at 1/2 full

Ibr8k4vetts · #5 (**permalink**) 12-18-2006, 05:59 PM

I also have it 1/2 full and I run dino oil, because I change mine every 3,000mi. or less.

JayBar · #6 (**permalink**) 01-15-2007, 06:42 PM

I keep mine full, never noticed a puddle on the floor, but I do have a puke tank. I use Dino oil also 20-50. I change it about 2 or 3 times a year so I don't think the synthetic is worth while. I don't drive many miles but do about 5 track events a year.

SantaFe66 · #7 (**permalink**) 01-15-2007, 10:12 PM

I have a built 390 FE with the Ford expansion tank and keep it 1/2 full. Never a problem and it stays at that level.

Regarding synthetic oil...... I use Amsoil as well as their filters. Swear by it. Our weather here gets pretty cold in the winter and, since I start my car and warm it monthly during the winter, I appreciate the fact that synthetic gets to the bearings quicker than dino oil. I'm considering an Accusump device to ease the startup problem (noisy valve train for a few seconds).

My experience with synthetic oils comes from 16 winters in Anchorage. I never had a V8 bearing failure (several Chevy rod brg failures) once I went with synthetic oils and the engine always started up fine without noise (course we had pre-heaters up there and plugged in all night). I used synthetic lubricants in snow machines, gen sets, cars, motorcycles....everything, and still do. Visit www.amsoil.com for more info.

Paul