What to Do If Car Antifreeze Is Overfilled?
2 Answers
If the car antifreeze is overfilled, you can directly use a syringe to extract the excess antifreeze until the liquid level is below the MAX mark. If not addressed promptly, the excess antifreeze may overflow from the pressure relief valve due to the continuous high-temperature operation of the car. However, this doesn't have a significant impact; it might just leave some marks. Unlike engine oil overflow, which can lead to serious consequences like oil burning, antifreeze overflow is less severe. When adding antifreeze, car owners should always pay attention to the markings to avoid overfilling or underfilling. Although the impact of overfilling antifreeze is minimal, underfilling is a different story. Firstly, it won't provide effective cooling, and the viscosity of the engine oil may also decrease, leading to wear and tear on engine components over time.
I'm the kind of guy who's been driving for decades, and I've also made the mistake of overfilling the coolant. In this case, don't rush to start the engine because once it heats up, the liquid expands, causing the coolant to spray out from the radiator or overflow tube, making a mess of the engine bay and potentially corroding the wiring. You need to deal with it immediately: when the engine is cold, locate the small cap, gently unscrew it to release some liquid, and make sure the level drops between the upper and lower limits. Use a clean tube or a medical syringe to extract the liquid, avoiding contamination. After finishing, start the car to check if the water temperature is normal and watch for any signs of leakage. A reminder: overfilling the coolant can easily cause excessive system pressure, which is bad for the water pump in the long run. Usually, adding it slowly and frequently checking the scale lines can avoid trouble. Remember not to delay this issue, or the repair costs will go up.
