Prep checklist
- • cold engine
- • flashlight
- • paper towel
- • visual access to reservoir and hose areas
Step-by-step
- 1.Check the reservoir level only when the engine is cold.
- 2.Look for dried residue around hose joints, the radiator area, and thermostat housing zones.
- 3.Inspect hoses for softness, cracking, swelling, or obvious age.
- 4.If temperatures have been creeping up in traffic, take that seriously before summer finishes the job.
Common mistakes
- • opening the cooling system hot
- • topping off coolant forever with no leak investigation
- • calling minor temperature rise normal
Stop here if
Stop if the engine is already overheating, the system is actively leaking, or there is clear belt or tensioner failure noise.