Diluted coolant - CEL??

[wolf_06]

I have a CEL on my car, didn't check the code yet, but I know my car takes longer to get warm this winter compared to last year.

I had the coolant sensor replace last summer, the coolant was low after that , went to a shop and they just told me to add water, because by mistake I didn't put pre-mix in, so after that it was too diluted a bit, but they said it should be fine for the summer, just drain and fill before winter, which I didn't do...

Is diluted coolant can throw a code?

Thanks!

 

[Chris142]

Nope

 

[NateDN10]

Erm, no, not on its own. If the coolant boils or freezes that could obviously cause other problems.

Get the code checked or we're just guessing.

 

[LeakySeals]

Water is what cools the engine and dissipates heat. Most of your heat is coming from the water. The coolant is used to protect the water from freezing and boiling. Coolant also has corrosion inhibitors to protect metal parts in the coolant system. So I doubt too much water would cause less heat.

If this were related, I would guess a thermostat stuck open. That would lower heat. Or the problem you had the coolant sensor replaced for has returned, and it wasn't the coolant sensor causing the original problem.

Go get the code read, really the only way to know. I suspect you'll be headed back to the mechanic that replaced the coolant sensor.

 

[bullwinkle]

Higher water percentage=MORE cooling capacity, except it can cause corrosion or freeze-up in winter weather. Go to an AutoZone & borrow their code reader & see what the code is, might be unrelated.

 

[Donald]

You probably added less than 1 QT to the overflow. That would not change the ratio that much. Should have used distilled however. It would not throw a code. Buy a code reader or have it read for free at AZ or AAP.

 

[clarkflower]

Originally Posted By: LeakySeals
Water is what cools the engine and dissipates heat. Most of your heat is coming from the water. The coolant is used to protect the water from freezing and boiling. Coolant also has corrosion inhibitors to protect metal parts in the coolant system.


Says it all

 

[KrisZ]

You most likely have a thermostat stuck open, that in most newer cars will set off a CEL.