cooling system issue
 

Hey all,

Wondering if you can give me some advice. I bought a new outlander (2009) and there was obviously a coolant leak from what appears to be the area of the rad cap. I only noticed because at one point after driving it around for a while I happened to look under the hood and there was dried coolant all over the front of the engine bay (underneath the rad cap). There was only about 1 inch of coolant left in the overflow tank (when hot). I did not get any overheat warning....

I topped it up with 50/50 premixed and now have a new rad cap. I don't see any leaks, but I see an air pocket in the plastic tube that is attached to the overflow tank.

My temp gauge gets up to half and fluctuates from half to one notch less than half (it is not constant). IS this normal?

I am wondering if I am doing damage to my vehicle driving now (since there might be air in the system). Again, the temp gauge is at the most HALF, but fluctates a bit. and when the heat gets turned on, it is so HOT - I can't keep my hand in front of the ent very long when on full blast.

My dealership is 90 minutes highway driving away - can I drive it there to get this fixed? I am thinking they should do a flush and make sure no air is in the system.

ALl this while still in the "break in" period when I am supposed to take it easy on the engine....my luck.

ANyway, suggestions would be really appreciated since I am going to take it to the dealer tomorrow......

Thanks all!

If it doen't overheat judt drive it to the dealer and explain to them what its doing.

If its that new, let them fix it. Don't mess with it.

Oh I know, trust me, it's going there tomorrow. I just don't know if I can drive it without doing more damage....or if I should get it flatbedded there (and hopefully hitch a ride with the guy)....

That is your call, I would try it to save myself dough. But if you can do it through a free roadside service then do it that way. Also call the dealership and see if they will pay for it since its new and if there is a major problem you can do the lemon law dance with them.

Yeah, it's a free roadside service that came with the new car (5 years worth).

I just don't know enough about cars to know if it is ok or not.

If its free, and you want to be careful then do the tow. Usually new cars don't run out of coolant like that, or have leaks that cause it to run out. Let them figure it out.

It sounds like the dealer did not do a proper new car prep. Checking all fluid levels (and making sure rad cap was on properly) should have been done by them before you took delivery.

Call the dealer and ask them
 

don't as us, we just have opinions. Call the dealer's service dept and ask them what they want you to do. It's their call and dime.