I mis-read my coolant level today, added some, then realized I over-filled. Probably an inch over the Full line. The design of the the reservoir makes it difficult/impossible to use a turkey baster or straw to siphon the excess out. How should I proceed? Should I be cocerned; can it cause any damage?
Over-filled coolant reservoir
- Thread starter reemoeMO
- Start date
If your res has an overflow tube then it’s not a concern. If it vents from the cap or something like that then you’ll probably need to wash off a little dried up coolant over the next few months. In my limited experience, dealer techs seem to overfill these so customers don’t come back saying it’s ”only half-full” after a service.
2018 Hyundai Elantra.
Not a problem at all 
Jackson_Slugger
$50 Site Donor 2022
Not an issue but if worried you can buy a coolant tester and use it as a baster to suck out excess antifreeze...
- Joined
- Apr 13, 2013
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- 3,221
1 in? Fuggedaboutit.
It's funny you mention the reservoir design. I overfilled my 2018 Elantra like 5 in over the max line cold because the markings are down low and hard to read. I ended up contorting a tube attached to spray bottle nozzle into reservoir and squirted out the excess coolant.
It's funny you mention the reservoir design. I overfilled my 2018 Elantra like 5 in over the max line cold because the markings are down low and hard to read. I ended up contorting a tube attached to spray bottle nozzle into reservoir and squirted out the excess coolant.
You could suck the excess coolant out with a 200ml syringe with a push-on connection and a length of small diameter vinyl tubing that you can slip over the syringe's slip tip or catheter tip.
Can you just open the drain valve on radiator and let a little dribble out
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It's fine.
It's fine, virtually every coolant bottle has a vent to allow overflow, even sealed pressurized systems. Also when checking/adding coolant if you have a separate radiator cap I always like to fill and check it there, the radiator cap should be filled to the brim, and in conventional systems where the overflow bottle isn't directly attached to the radiator it's just that, and overflow bottle, you cannot properly set coolant level using it.
When the engine is hot and the overflow tank has not reached the top, well, you are okay.
Beware of glycol coolant on the ground. It is like candy to cats and dogs. I lost my cat in the most agonizing way when he found and licked some.
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- Sep 20, 2022
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My only concern with our van is that I've over filled the reservoir also, but I got a warning light on the dash, So I was able to reduce the amount with an old turkey baster. The warning light went out.
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