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-   -   Coolant level on filler neck (https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generation-specific-1993-2002-16/coolant-level-filler-neck-1154679/)

kiddoh Dec 4, 2021 03:09 PM

Coolant level on filler neck
 
Where should the coolant sit on the filler neck? Noticed that I can't even see the coolant when opening the fill neck, done an AST delete also.

Thank you!

TwinCharged RX7 Dec 4, 2021 05:15 PM

Should be pretty much full. Fill it so you can see it. If you drive it and it doesn't stay full after cooling down then you have a leak somewhere

c0rbin9 Dec 4, 2021 05:58 PM

Very timely as I was wondering the exact same thing. Mine isn't visible when opening the cap either, though my coolant was just changed and the system may still be working the air bubbles out.

DaveW Dec 4, 2021 07:15 PM


Originally Posted by c0rbin9 (Post 12496682)
Very timely as I was wondering the exact same thing. Mine isn't visible when opening the cap either, though my coolant was just changed and the system may still be working the air bubbles out.

It always takes several top-ups to get it to where it's near the top of the filler neck after I drain and refill.

kiddoh Dec 4, 2021 09:15 PM


Originally Posted by TwinCharged RX7 (Post 12496676)
Should be pretty much full. Fill it so you can see it. If you drive it and it doesn't stay full after cooling down then you have a leak somewhere

Dang so I have been driving it without it being full, full as in its close to the nipple on top of the filler neck right? Like near the cap?


Originally Posted by c0rbin9 (Post 12496682)
Very timely as I was wondering the exact same thing. Mine isn't visible when opening the cap either, though my coolant was just changed and the system may still be working the air bubbles out.

I didnt even think about the air bubbles haha


Originally Posted by DaveW (Post 12496690)
It always takes several top-ups to get it to where it's near the top of the filler neck after I drain and refill.

Thank you!

ZE Power MX6 Dec 5, 2021 10:41 AM

Should be near the top if you fill it correctly, even during the first fill. Mine might drop 1/8" during first drive after first fill, then should stay right near the hole that goes to the reservoir after topping it off.

Sgtblue Dec 5, 2021 01:03 PM

OP, be sure to check the level of your expansion/overflow. As the car cools it should pull coolant back from there, but if it’s too low it’ll run dry.
Regardless, vacuum (on a tight, sealed cooling system) keeps the level near the nipple until the spring cap is removed. It’ll then drop a little, which is normal.

c0rbin9 Dec 6, 2021 05:10 PM

My coolant level is always well below the filler neck no matter how many times I top it up. It would seem that there is a leak somewhere. Any ideas on where to check?

Retserof Dec 6, 2021 09:14 PM

First thing to check is the hose (an its clamps) to the overflow tank. If that hose has a vacuum leak, coolant in the tank won't be drawn back into the engine when it cools down. Also, the overflow tank's coolant level will rise until it overflows.

GoodfellaFD3S Dec 6, 2021 09:27 PM


Originally Posted by c0rbin9 (Post 12496962)
My coolant level is always well below the filler neck no matter how many times I top it up. It would seem that there is a leak somewhere. Any ideas on where to check?

Have you gotten the 'add coolant' light and buzzer yet?

ZE Power MX6 Dec 7, 2021 12:45 AM


Originally Posted by c0rbin9 (Post 12496962)
My coolant level is always well below the filler neck no matter how many times I top it up. It would seem that there is a leak somewhere. Any ideas on where to check?

I suggest get a Lisle funnel and bleed the system, if you are still losing coolant after a good bleed and fill then you need to pressure test it.

large_x7 Aug 19, 2022 08:14 PM


Originally Posted by Retserof (Post 12496991)
First thing to check is the hose (an its clamps) to the overflow tank. If that hose has a vacuum leak, coolant in the tank won't be drawn back into the engine when it cools down. Also, the overflow tank's coolant level will rise until it overflows.

Do you mean the hose that connects the AST to the overflow tank? Is that a vacuum line? I thought it was a coolant line.
This is the exact problem I'm having now. I flushed the coolant system last fall, so I thought the low coolant buzzers were from air coming out of the system, and I just kept topping it off. But on the last two drives, once the car has gotten up to temperature, it overflowed the overflow tank. Car is not overheating and running fine (well, regularly) otherwise.

EDIT: Also, how does a leak in that line cause those symptoms?

Retserof Aug 19, 2022 08:55 PM

The hose from the AST to the coolant reservoir tank is a 2-way coolant line. When coolant pressure gets high enough, the pressure relief cap on the AST opens a little and allows expanding coolant to flow to the unpressurized reservoir tank vial that line. When the engine cools, a vacuum is created in the cooling system that draws coolant back from the tank via that line into the AST. If the tank overflows, the problem may be a small leak in the 2-way coolant line that allows some air instead of coolant to be drawn back into the AST. When this happens, coolant accumulates in the tank until it overflows and you keep having to add new coolant to the filler neck. Or, the overflowing reservoir tank could be due to a faulty pressure relief cap on the AST.

kiddoh Aug 19, 2022 09:09 PM


Originally Posted by large_x7 (Post 12530285)
Do you mean the hose that connects the AST to the overflow tank? Is that a vacuum line? I thought it was a coolant line.
This is the exact problem I'm having now. I flushed the coolant system last fall, so I thought the low coolant buzzers were from air coming out of the system, and I just kept topping it off. But on the last two drives, once the car has gotten up to temperature, it overflowed the overflow tank. Car is not overheating and running fine (well, regularly) otherwise.

EDIT: Also, how does a leak in that line cause those symptoms?

Had the same problem with the leak, mine was one of the big hose connections for the radiator that can be seen when looking from under

gracer7-rx7 Aug 23, 2022 10:58 AM


Originally Posted by c0rbin9 (Post 12496962)
My coolant level is always well below the filler neck no matter how many times I top it up. It would seem that there is a leak somewhere. Any ideas on where to check?

You will want to do a coolant system pressure test to identify any leaks. Visually inspecting hoses and clamps usually is not enough to find all the leaks since leaks sometimes only present themselves when the cooling system is under pressure - i.e. the car is running. Plus, some hoses are difficult to see.

I've posted about that in the past. Here's one of my threads with a tool suggestion: https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generati...-tool-1139888/

yurcivicsux Aug 25, 2022 11:19 AM

when filling the coolant back up you probably didn't remove the upper throttle hose to properly burp the system. its the highest point in the system.... once new coolant starts coming out you re-connect it, fill the reservoir to full and check it after a good run. it usually only drops like 250ml. if you don't you will have air problem over days. this is common issue for guys that don't know. if you watch gears and gasoline on youtube they struggled with this also.


801 FC Mar 7, 2026 08:16 PM


Originally Posted by GoodfellaFD3S (Post 12496992)
Have you gotten the 'add coolant' light and buzzer yet?

This might be unrelated but I’m trying to figure out how and where I need to pour the coolant. I just picked up this FC but I am unfamiliar with these engines. Is it just the cap that says filler head or the cap on the radiator? (my apologies if I don’t make sense)

Redbul Mar 7, 2026 11:27 PM

Go on ebay. Get the Haynes shop manual for FC. Easy to find.

Read the general maintenance section at the front.

Instant expert!


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