Low Coolant Message

[Topzide]

I'd like to know if others have come across this issue. Plenty of coolant in overflow bottle. Replaced coolant back in Dec when I had actuator go bad along with changing out the hoses. It seems that depending on the curve or road condition causes the message to come up and disappear at times. Mainly wants to pop up on unimproved roads.

Would this be something were the sensor would need to be cleaned or just replace it and the one that came out and take out one, just clean up and keep on shelf for next time.

Just annoying to hear that ding!

TIA.

 

[Diesel85]

Might be the magnet inside the tank or the sensor itself.

If I was a betting man, it's the magnet.

 

[Ozymandias]

Didn't even know that they have a coolant sensor now...

 

[Topzide]

Guess I'll drain the tank and pull the sensor to see what's going on! Just a PITA!

 

[AH64ID]

Have you tried adding any fluid?

Mine was coming on last fall, even thou it appeared to be at the proper level. A little top off and it hasn't come back.

 

[Topzide]

Keep it as full as possible without overflowing. Just is getting annoying when a bump causes the light to come on! The only thing could be some slime on the sensor similar to what happened with the windshield washer fluid sensor! They're pretty cheap and have a 5% off from RA!

 

[Diesel85]

The sensor detects the level using the magnet inside the tank. That sensor is a magnetic pickup.

I had this issue on a one of our work 2015 work trucks at about 100k. We'd hit a bump or go out into a bumpy gravel road/field and it would come on and off. The ding was very annoying.

After testing the sensor with a DMM set to resistance using a magnet, we found the sensor was perfectly fine. It was the magnet getting stuck. Only way to fix it was replacing the coolant tank unfortunately. We didn't replace the tank, we had the dealer do it cause that was what the boss wanted.

We got the truck up to 250k then bossman sold it. The telltale never came back on... which was a good thing.

 

[Topzide]

@Diesel85, Guess I'll have to drain and pull the tank! Will flush and rattle the tank with distilled water for the flush. Hopefully this will get it to move around freely! The random ding will put the DW on edge since the DEF pump died and delayed our return from a trip earlier this year! Won't be this weekend as they are calling for a gully washer of a coastal storm! Early next week looks dry enough and will have time then. Will post up what I find and if flush makes a difference from before to after.

 

[Ozymandias]

Why distilled water- I'd use something like simple green for this task.
I don’t see any benefit from using distilled water for this task as that level is soaked all the time in water.
You want to get rid of residues and grime and that needs a solvent.

 

[Topzide]

Want to avoid mineral deposits that would contaminate the coolant. These trucks are picky enough!

 

[Ozymandias]

I wouldn't worry at all, but I also use city water to dilute the anti freeze as 99% people in Europe do casually. Never had a problem by doing so or heard of a problem of doing so.
Even the labels on the antifreeze jugs call for city water at home.
And the engine is a commercial Diesel engine that runs in 180+ country's. I really don't see the point here.

But of course that's entirely up to you and I respect that.

 

[Topzide]

@Ozymandias, I'm on a well so that means distilled water is a must! No choice on that will all the minerals in it! If I was on city, might think about it.

 

[Diesel85]

The cost for Walmart brand distilled water is insignificant compared to the price of replacing a radiator or heater core due to it getting plugged up by minerals, or damaging the engine.

Anytime I drain and flush the coolant on my vehicles, I always use distilled, along with testing the coolant concentration and nitrites periodically.

 

[Ozymandias]

There is no plugging up a radiator from Water - except you refill the system every two days. But usually a fill is good for many years to come.
There aren't pounds of minerals in a gallon of water - just milligrams.

 

[AH64ID]

@Ozymandias, I'm on a well so that means distilled water is a must! No choice on that will all the minerals in it! If I was on city, might think about it.

My last city water was harder than my current well water, which is still hard.

I also use distilled water. It’s cheap and effective.

 

[Ozymandias]

My last city water was harder than my current well water, which is still hard.

I also use distilled water. It’s cheap and effective.

I'm with you that it is nice to use it - but it is also no harm done by not using it.
Especially not to flush the system which was the main cause for me to ask a couple messages above.

 

[BigPapa]

Especially not to flush the system which was the main cause for me to ask a couple messages above.

I don't think we're even talking about "flushing the system", just washing out the reservoir. Like Ozy said, it's up to you, use what you want.