Sir Traveller
La Mesa Southern California
New Member
Joined: 03/19/2018
View Profile
 Offline
|
My coolant level is about 2 inches lower than the cold level, do I have to buy and add coolant even though I am not driving the RV right now ? ( its hooked up at an RV park ) Can I just add distilled water?
I will eventually add coolant before I drive it in the future of course but my question is regarding the current situation
I appreciate any ideas and suggestions …
|
CC38EL
Indiana
Full Member
Joined: 02/16/2005
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
Gas or diesel? If gasser, I would wait and see how the level looked after it warms up. If low and no coolant to add, I would put in distilled water...but only just enough till I get the right coolant to put in.
If diesel, I would wait till I started it next time and then see what the level does. If still low but visible in the overflow tank, I would wait till I had the correct antifreeze as the engine require special coolant.
Most diesels have over 10 gal of coolant...most gassers, just 6-7 gal and you can get that anywhere.
Jim
2019 Coachmen Mirada Select 37LS
|
Sir Traveller
La Mesa Southern California
New Member
Joined: 03/19/2018
View Profile
Offline
|
this is a 2003 Ford F-53 gas v10...
|
ppine
Northern Nevada
Senior Member
Joined: 07/04/2016
View Profile
Offline
|
If you are not driving it, hardly matters.
If you are 50/50 water/AF and you don't live in the Yukon you can add some straight water.
|
IB853347201
Eastern Ontario
Senior Member
Joined: 06/18/2018
View Profile
Offline
|
Definitely add coolant. Do not add water.
|
|
|
Monaramblee
Canada
Full Member
Joined: 05/18/2020
View Profile
|
Get coolant because you may need to top it off more again if you have a leak.
2008 Holiday rambler Vacationer XL
340 HP Cummins
|
garyemunson
Reno, Nevada
Senior Member
Joined: 09/27/2015
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
Always use coolant. Distilled water will dilute what is there, raising the freezing temp. Adding a little coolant will not cause any problem of increasing the coolant concentration. You don't ever want to run pure coolant but just topping off is far from that.
|
wa8yxm
Wherever I happen to park
Senior Member
Joined: 07/04/2006
View Profile
Offline
|
IB853347201 wrote:Definitely add coolant. Do not add water.
I will support that if you live in the great white north.
But... Coolant level varies with heat and cold. It is very cold now. And though I know cold ENGINE lowers it. (From operating temps to ambient) I do not know how 70F to 0F affects it.. So long as there is coolant in the overflow tank I'd not add till A: Spring or B: next trip.. buy it. Leave a gallon on the driver's seat or nearby to reminmd you but don't add till VAROOM.
Home is where I park it.
2005 Damon Intruder 377 Alas declared a total loss
after a semi "nicked" it. Still have the radios
Kenwood TS-2000, ICOM ID-5100, ID-51A+2, ID-880 REF030C most times
|
JRscooby
Indepmo
Senior Member
Joined: 06/10/2019
View Profile
 Online
|
CC38EL wrote:Gas or diesel? If gasser, I would wait and see how the level looked after it warms up.
I don't understand this. The level cold mark is the min level for cold engine. If you need to warm up to get to that level, you are low on coolant
You don't plan to drive it? Put tape on the tank, mark level and date. Then you can watch it.
Of course, the first step, with cold engine pull the cap from the pressurized part of system, be certain it is full. If not, get coolant, and refill. FIND THAT LEAK!
I can't stand under not having coolant on hand. I always buy the concentrate. If I don't have a MT jug, and don't know how low it is I use a small container to measure. 1 'cup' concentrate in system, then same of water 'til full. If it gets full the mix will be a little strong, not weak
|
rgatijnet1
Florida
Senior Member
Joined: 06/22/2009
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
|
Just make sure that you add the right coolant per your owner's manual. Not all anti-freeze mixtures are compatible and adding the wrong type can cause issues. I believe that Ford uses the green antifreeze but I would still verify to make sure.
|
|
|
