Coolant Reservoir Replacement Melbourne

Coolant Reservoir Replacement in Melbourne, at Your Door

A cracked coolant reservoir lets coolant escape a little at a time, until the engine runs low and starts to overheat. Mechanic Near You sends a mobile mechanic to your home, workplace or roadside across Melbourne's west. We pressure-test the cooling system to find the leak, then replace the reservoir if it is the cause. Coolant reservoir replacement starts from $149 and takes about 3 hours.

The bottle of coolant that lives in your boot

The low coolant light came on, so you topped it up. A fortnight later it came on again. Now there is a bottle of coolant rolling around in the boot, and checking the level has become part of your week.

Coolant does not get used up. If the level keeps dropping, it is going somewhere, and one day the top-up will not be enough.

A cracked reservoir is one of the simpler places for it to be going. We find the leak and fix it in your driveway.

What does a coolant reservoir do?

The coolant reservoir is the plastic tank in the engine bay, also called the overflow bottle or expansion tank. Coolant expands as the engine heats up. The reservoir holds that extra coolant, then returns it as the engine cools, so the system stays full.

It is usually made of translucent plastic, with minimum and maximum marks on the side and hoses connecting it to the rest of the cooling system. Many have a level sensor built in, which is what switches on the low coolant warning light.

Signs of a leaking coolant reservoir

• Coolant leaking under the car
• A low coolant warning light
• A coolant level that keeps changing or dropping
• A sweet smell from the engine bay
• A temperature gauge that climbs higher than normal
• Cracks or coolant stains on the tank itself

Why coolant reservoirs fail

• Heat. Extreme heat can warp the plastic.
• Knocks. Impact or harsh movement can crack the tank.
• The sensor. The level sensor can give a wrong reading, or none at all.

Is it really the coolant reservoir?

Not every coolant leak is the tank. Before we replace it, we pressure-test the system and check:

• The hose connections at the reservoir.
• The water pump. Water pump replacement is from $149.
• The coolant itself. Old or contaminated coolant should be changed. Coolant replacement is from $149.

If the leak is somewhere else, we show you where.

What our coolant reservoir replacement includes

1. Cooling system inspection.
2. Pressure testing, to find where the coolant is escaping.
3. Coolant reservoir diagnosis.
4. Coolant leak and hose connection inspection.
5. Reservoir replacement, with a tank matched to your vehicle.
6. Coolant level adjustment.
7. Cooling system testing and final verification before we hand the keys back.

Coolant reservoir replacement cost

Our coolant reservoir replacement starts from $149. The final price depends on your vehicle and the work required, and we confirm it before we start.

For comparison, AutoGuru puts coolant reservoir replacement in Australia at $150 to $350, and more for some makes and models. Three things move the price:

• The tank. Reservoirs are made for particular models, and some have the level sensor built in.
• Access. On some cars other parts have to come out first.
• The coolant. If the old coolant is contaminated, it should be replaced at the same time.

How to get a coolant reservoir quote

Call 0406 396 397 with your car's make, model and year, and tell us what you are seeing. We give you a price before we come. Our car service quote guide explains how to compare quotes fairly.

Can I keep driving with a cracked coolant reservoir?

For a short while, if you keep the level topped up and watch the temperature gauge. But it is a gamble. A leak you ignore can end with the engine overheating.

Overheating is the expensive part. It can lead to repairs such as a head gasket replacement, which costs far more than a reservoir.

If the temperature gauge climbs, pull over as soon as it is safe, turn the engine off and call.

How to check your coolant safely

1. Wait until the engine is cold. Leave the car for a few hours after driving. Hot coolant can spray out and burn you.
2. Find the reservoir. It is the plastic bottle near the radiator, usually with a brightly coloured cap.
3. Read the level. It should sit between the minimum and maximum marks on the side.
4. Top up only with the coolant your owner's manual lists.

Never remove the radiator cap while the engine is hot. If you are topping up more than once in a while, the system has a leak and needs testing.

Coolant on the driveway and your pets

A coolant leak is a risk to more than the engine. Coolant is antifreeze, which contains ethylene glycol. It can be fatal to animals even in small amounts.

Agriculture Victoria warns that dogs will seek out antifreeze because they find its smell and taste appealing. If you think your pet has drunk some, take it to a vet immediately, even if it seems normal.

Clean up any puddle under the car, and get the leak fixed.

Coolant reservoir replacement near you

We are based in Wyndham Vale and travel across Melbourne's west:

• Wyndham Vale and Manor Lakes
• Werribee and Hoppers Crossing
• Tarneit and Truganina
• Point Cook and Williams Landing

We also cover Eynesbury. See all our service areas for the rest.

Other jobs worth doing in the same visit

• General service, from $149, which includes a fluid level inspection and a belt and hose inspection.
• Buying a used car? Our pre-purchase inspection checks for coolant and oil leaks.

Why drivers call us for a coolant leak

• We find the leak first. A pressure test shows whether it is the tank, a hose or something else.
• We come to you. A car that is losing coolant should not be driven further than it has to be.
• We explain what we found. You know where the leak is before anything is replaced.
• The price before the work. Nothing extra is done without your say-so.

Coolant reservoir questions

How long does a coolant reservoir replacement take?

About 3 hours, depending on the vehicle and the work needed.

How much does coolant reservoir replacement cost in Melbourne?

With us, from $149. AutoGuru puts the cost in Australia at $150 to $350.

Is a coolant reservoir the same as an overflow bottle or expansion tank?

Yes. They are three names for the tank that holds the cooling system's spare coolant.

Can a cracked coolant reservoir be repaired?

A cracked plastic tank is replaced. A new reservoir is the reliable fix.

Why does my coolant level keep dropping?

Because it is leaking somewhere. The reservoir, a hose and the water pump are common places, and a pressure test finds which one.

Can I just keep topping up the coolant?

It buys time, but it does not fix the leak. If the level drops far enough, the engine overheats.

Topping up every week? Find the leak instead.

Call 0406 396 397 between 7 am and 9 pm, 7 days a week. Tell us what the car is doing, and we will give you a price and a time.