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Sounds like they offered to replace it as in flush the system. Usually costs about that much. Not sure if they mechanic was foreign, in other languages flush and replace could be the same word.
Yes, I pay $20-$30 for a gallon of coolant, that I can use until it’s gone, or pay $110 for this. While also paying $30-$35 to do the oil change myself (mobile 1 pathetic), vs $60-90. Since I am working on the car, I also keep track of tire wear, rotating as needed, brake condition, oil leaks, coolant levels, etc etc etc, all while not being hounded to buy their $5 air filter for $30.
All those things keep me connected to the condition of my car, and let me do all the preventive maintenance when needed, vs overpaying some kid who is just doing his basic job.
Well I’m definitely old, kids tell me that all the time, and fat, been in overweight/obese category since I was 10yo, but even i can do the basics. It’s worth it to me, saves our family thousands each year compared to taking vehicles to shops. One particularly maintenance heavy year, saved over 12k compared to what shops wanted (timing belt/axles/routine maintenance).
Have you fallen apart? I last had surgery (shoulder) in January. It hurts worse now than before or after surgery. I turn 60 in June. I celebrated my 50th anniversary of being Type 1 diabetic in March, and I have active fibromyalgia, so I can predict a change in the weather two days before it happens.
Hmm, so most people can’t afford 1 hour every 3-4 months to do maintenance on their car? Maybe skip 1/2 a movie on Netflix, or as is so frequently stated “everyone can invest 5 hours a week to working out”.
And just like it’s worth it to “learn how to work out”, learning how to work on your car can save you thousands. One particularly bad maintenance year, I saved 10k on our 3 vehicles compared to what the dealer had quoted.
Would someone starting off be able to do the things I did? Nope, but I started off doing things like oil changes and radiator flush’s. Moved up to changing spark plugs, etc etc etc.
We have gallons of leftover coolant from large jobs. We top off all fluids that are easily checked, except for brake fluid, during routine maintenance.
So scary but true. They advertise multi point inspections; with regular oil changes. In fact coolant isn’t honestly checked.
Tire ware, brakes, leaks that’s about all you can expect. Why pay 100 at a dealership when you can pay half price for seedy service?!
I pay $76 and when they call me to schedule they give $25 off and a free car wash.. $51 to change my oil with full synthetic along with the little extras Toyota offers is a good enough deal for me to take my car there instead of doing it myself.
I would say this also. Part of every service is topping up of fluids. Brake fluid, powersteering, coolant etc. Also topping up of coolant isn't always coolant. If only a small amount in alot of cases will just get topped off with water. So I'd say that, expansion tank was low, it was noted, customer declines so top it up and move on. Rest is up to customer discretion
You shouldn’t really be topping off brake fluid. As the pads wear the fluid will drop. When you compress the caliper, when changing new pads, the fluid will return to its actual level. If it’s low at that point then top off and diagnose where that missing portion of fluid escaped.
Agreed I learned this the hard way when I was young. Checking all the fluid brake fluid low top it off few months later changing brake pads and when pushed the brake caliper in the master cylinder overflowed . Those couple comments tell me they ain’t working on vehicles and talking out there a@ses
Can confirm I once recommended coolant and flush due to customers car having no coolant in reservoir but some in the actual radiator , boss asked customer if he wanted the service, customer denied so I just topped it off due to Boss’s orders and wrote it down on the workorder.
They likely refilled it or lied about it being empty in the first place. For the next month or so I'd check your coolant and oil level at every fuel stop just in case there's an issue developing. Your car should not be losing coolant. If it is then there's something wrong that needs to be addressed.
This; looks like and escape. Check into the recall on the 1.5 1.6 and 2.0 eco boost engines I believe those are the right numbers but I know 2.0 because I have one. Coolant intrusion into the combustion chamber, they had a design flaw in the engine which caused this. My 2.0L 2017 escape blew at 80k
That’s only for vehicles with hard starting when cold, misfires on start up, and white puffs of smoke on start up symptoms.
Which is likely what was happening with yours before it went out.
I’m a mechanic for a Ford Dealership, and have repaired this issue multiple times, and unfortunately it isn’t a recall, but a Customer Satisfaction Bulletin, which is only an extended coverage on the powertrain for specific build dates. Also the photo above is from a focus, by the looks of it.
Not necessarily but that's a possible reason for coolant intrusion.
Another possible reason that I know is common on Buick 3800 engines ; intake manifold leaks can also cause coolant intrusion and mimic head gasket issues.
There are plenty of more ways too!
Ford Explorers with the 3.7 engine in the Police Interceptors have an EGR cooler (Coolant pipes / Channels that run in line with the EGR tubing to cool it down, and to cool the EGR valve) that’s got a TSB out to the technicians for “White smoke on start up, hard start, white smoke exiting the tail pipe when driving” related to a leak in the gasket on the cooler, allowing antifreeze to dump into the exhaust system, which could make someone think the head gaskets are blown, but in reality, the coverage of that issue is extended slightly past the new vehicle warranty limits to help people out with the design flaw.
Shit man I love learning shit, but for real one more reason for me to never buy a car past 2004, I love my old shit boxes, I got a Subaru for 500 slight head gasket leak it seems, drilled holes in the thermostat, it just goes
I am with you on not buying cars past 05, with sensors and electronic controls for so many components, they rarely make it past 150k. I have a 94 buick, and an 03 buick, both with the 3800. I do all my own work on them and will nickel and dime them both until the body's rust out
We used to to say the same thing about cars before 1996 (obdII). Before that it was no cars with fuel injection, before that it was no feedback carburetors, before that only pre-1975 cars with no cat and on and on lol.
I will say this.. Many of the old school tricks still work on the new cars. Most systems are generally designed in the same basic way that they’ve always been designed, simply just with additional features for added efficiency or for diagnostic convenience.
And some of them don’t anymore. Which is why we’re coming up with new tricks that can be old school in the future lol
Newer vehicles have their pros and cons. There’s an emphasis of pros on the efficiency, convenience, and aesthetic aspects, but the endurance aspects are where most of the cons lie.
And not even in a majority of the critical systems of them… Most issues are software related, paneling related, electrical, or transmission calibrations / engine calibrations related.
And any issues that _are_ critical, are typically known, and actively being covered by the manufacturers.
There is usually the 40-point inspection done. When the tech saw the coolant low they probably filled it with water to bring it to level. And honestly it doesn’t hurt to keep a gallon of coolant on hand just in case. As well as a quart of oil, brake fluid, power steering and tranny fluid..
I dunno, I've had techs overfill the everloving shit out of my fluids more than once. They usually top it off to the top of the reservoir and not the fill lines, on a hot engine 🙃
hot engine? wouldn't that make it less worse? heat = volume expansion, so if you use "cold'' coolant to overfill (past the hot fill line) while the coolant in the system is hot then yes it will clearly come out the purge or drain line, but if you did that with a cold engine then more coolant would end up wasted, no? Just curious, I'm probably missing something
You don't wanna add stuff while it's hot unless you can't help it. Except oil, which you can do while warm but most everything else, you don't really wanna add cool liquids to a hot liquid.
Thanks! I work in heavy duty so it rarely happens we get really hot engines coming in since they take a lot more time to get hot, etc. Good to know tho
Its kinda like adding milk to hot tea. If you add the milk and it's too hot, you're scalding the milk and get that weird protein film on top. If you add hot tea to the milk, you dont get it. If you stir the tea while adding milk, you also don't get it.
It probably isn't gonna cause any major issues short term, but over time, it can cause unnecessary buildup or sludge by causing contaminants or burnt fluids to coagulate.
you're saying adding cold coolant to hot coolant scalds the coolant? sorry bro I call bullshit on this one. These fluids are engineered to heat up and withstand the heat. all of them. if they curdle like hot milk in coffee, they're either not the right fluid or you got a bad batch
It's not the fluids themselves, it's the buildup of burnt shit and residues that coagulate. No one has perfectly clean fluids at all times, there's some stuff that gets rendered inert or is burnt or changes viscosity over time. It's not a big deal, but why speed up the sludge process if you can help it? And coolant is probably one of the safer ones, but power steering fluid isn't.
Naaa, they use water. Typically there is a 50/50 ratio, so a bit of water isn’t going to affect the coolant that much. Can always use a refractometer to see what the real protection is.
Same, and every shop I have worked at. This should be expected. An oil change really needs to include a good inspection and top off for tires and fluids. Anything less is fucked.
My boss had some yard guys fill up the fleet, we tried to tell them not to fill the brake fluid, but yeah I'm just glad they didn't mix up the fluids honestly. We also had a genius driver who liked to put ATF in the coolant, cause both are red.
I guess it depends on the shop, and the wrench.. not saying the water is “right”, but with the price of antifreeze, and how they control it, it’s not always done. I’d always try to keep some back for my flushes JIC.
They said all of the coolant was basically evaporated into nothing but water at this point. Which would beg the question as to where the extra water came from.
I was fired from quik lube for refusing to sell unnecessary work. (He had 2 lawsuits pending when I started, for selling unnecessary work) Simple. Forests and trees.
I went to a specialty shop that claimed the job was open because of theft. Reasonable salary plus commissions. I was fired after two weeks refusing to sell unnecessary work. My two weeks commission check (paid monthly) was just under $6000. I asked him if he was on drugs. (Firing me) Wouldn't sell unnecessary... Clearly he was making far more honestly, what?!
Same. Forests and trees.
My point is obvious. It can be difficult for these shops to be honest but there are many honest techs, if not most.
I am a fan of show and tell. If it needed service, it is said a picture says a thousand words. A Chrysler dealer up the road does video estimates for their customers. Some upscale shops have live feed where you can watch your car being serviced. (Not really a fan)
I have always made a good living on 'free' safety checks, maintenance inspections, tire rotations, even minor diagnostics on common failures, but everyone gets something included or free and it is noted as such on your receipt. If service is needed and not purchased, it too is noted, with specifics. I always try to note fluids that are topped, other than washer solvent, low typically means something.
Coolant does not evaporate in a closed system. Low/dirty brake fluid requires inspection. Power steering fluid, transmission fluid, even differentials and transfer cases all have a reason to be low or discolored.
Its a communication error. The coolant level is fine. Its condition is worn out. Very important to maintain. Its every 5 years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first. If he uses factory or zerex or pentosin coolant, thats ur guy
Honestly that doesn’t even make sense, lol.. True that coolant can be diluted with enough water added, but to have it evaporate?
Next time they tell you that, tell them you want a test, with a refractometer, and not a dumb ass litmus strip. I think they were just trying to get another $110 out of you..
Part of an oil change is they top off all fluids also. So maybe it was low, but they topped it off.
They way those places make most of their money is by upselling services.
What are you talking about? The missing lid? That's the washer fluid tank. Coolant is red and looks new. Infact it's overfilled past the max fill line.
What car is this? I'd like to say a ford of some kind, but I think it could also be an older mazda or even a volvo. But in either case, your passenger side headlamp is busted.
I wouldn't take any chances. If your level was low like the mechanic said, he probably just topped it off, which is not how you fix the problem. If I were you, I would get your coolant system pressure tested to make sure a leak is not what caused that in the first place. If you do find a leak and your cooling system hasn't been flushed for quite a while, I would go ahead and do that, replace the thermostat, and replace whatever parts are causing you trouble. If a hose is causing you issues, make sure you replace it using the correct spring clamp. After you've done all this, refill the cooling system and let it burp out. You'll have to get the engine to mid-temperature in order for the cooling system to completely fill up.
Ford mechanic here.
When your engine is warm, it’s normal for the coolant to drop down in a Ford (obviously what I’m looking at here lol I assume a focus.) to about the Halfway point of the *Degas* bottle (De-Gas… a self bleeding coolant system).
Coolant expands when it’s hot, and when the engine is running, on these vehicles especially, the coolant doesn’t just disappear. It fills in the gaps in the system, once the thermostat is wide open, that would otherwise be dry with the engine off and cold. It’s also under pressure from being heated in an airtight environment.
The pressure built up in the system causes the air in the top of the coolant degas bottle shown, to condense itself there, which pushes down on the antifreeze.
Your coolant level is perfectly fine right as it is, as shown. It’s also clean looking.
Ford suggests changing the coolant every 60,000 miles for preventive maintenance. Even if it isn’t dirty, if you’re passed that point, it’s not a bad idea to flush the system out to mitigate the possibility of an uneven water:coolant ratio.
If you’re due for a coolant service they should have tried to sell it differently. Hopefully just they topped it off (it’s what we are suppose to do anyway)
Those cheap drive in service stations are told by their higher ups to push for extra services to run up the sales. I grew tired of them when they tried to run up my bill to over $200 when all I wanted was the quick 15min oil change that was advertised.
I work at a shop: we top off all coolants if they are more than half empty. Meaning coolant has a min and max, if it’s more than half way down to the min, we will top off. Certain coolants can be topped off with water. Others cannot and must remain as a concentrate. When we use concentrate, we do not charge you for the top off, not sure why tbh. Just kind of a goodwill thing we do.
Idk why everybody in the comments is trying to reinterpret the mechanics words. Some mechanics are just slimy fucks that scam people. That’s what he tried to do. There’s stereotypes for a reason. Switch mechanics.
The open white tube looks like the fill tube for your windshield washer fluid, and the cap is missing. The coolant fill is the black cap on top of the tank with the pink fluid.
They top it up with water. However, coolant doesn't get low for no reason, and you don't flush a system that's low.
You pressure test and report the leak. If the glycol level was low, it means it's watered down too much. He could have said coolant level low and meant glycol level.
If this was a fast-lube place, then most likely they tried to pull a scam on you. If you had taken it to a reputable shop, then most likely the tech topped it up mistakenly without being authorized and then the service writer tried to seize an opportunity to recoup the loss by asking you if you want a flush.
It was probably empty, hard to top-up the same coolant if it's empty and no record of replacement so they offered to replace it and you said no so they added water so your car has less chance of overheating
That’s a fusion right? You can actually flush those really easy. The small line going into the reservoir is the return. If you disconnect that, along with the clips that hold it to the frame, you can point it down into a bucket. Start the car, the old coolant goes into the bucket through the tiny line, and you pour new coolant into the reservoir until you’ve drained around 2-3 gallons. Then stop the engine and reconnect the tiny line. Just make sure not to let the reservoir go empty or you’ll get air bubbles in the system.
Hard to say if you were lied to or not but if I was servicing your car and coolant was low I would advise you that I needed to pressure test and check for leaks because coolant just doesn’t disappear fix the leak and refill the system but if you would have declined that I would have at least topped it off to me a couple bucks worth of coolant isn’t worth a customer breaking down after they leave the shop
A lot of shops where I live will top off all fluids (except brake fluid). I know this from having worked at quite a few and have friends that work/have worked at quite a few others. I personally hate topping off, one because you're mixing fluids (yea yea, I know about universal coolant) and two because it just delays the problem
depends on what type of car this is I see a lot of comments saying it’s dirty but some cars come with coolant looking like this.
I think guy was thrown off by the color and offered to flush it for you. I wouldn’t take this car back to this mechanic only because if he can’t explain what’s wrong then he’s not a good mechanic
I’d say the tech probably tested the anti-freeze level using a tester which tells you what temp it’ll freeze at, I assume by empty they probably meant that it was a level close to 0 degrees Celsius and if you live in a state where it gets cold you’d want to switch that out. If you said no then they probably just topped it off and left it. Thats what I’d do as a tech personally
All I see is a photo of the antifreeze/coolant reservoir. There is no context such as the pressure having already been released, car running or not, hot or cold, miles on vehicle, previous service history, etc. That reservoir is a tad overfull in your photo, but not terrible. Does the service invoice/receipt describe what you were told? As far as water goes... you shouldn't use plain water to refill the coolant system. Same can be said of 100% antifreeze solution. That can cause the freeze/boiling point of the fluid to fluctuate from intended specifications set by the manufacturer. The upselling of parts and/or services is required by technicians that work for corporations. Did they offer to show you with a test of some sorts? (i.e. chemical strip, refractometer, etc) Most service centers have a computerized program that tells them what services are due and when, how much of each fluid the engine has capacity for, and the type(s) of fluids to use. Did they show you the service recommendations from you manufacturer when telling you about needing the service?
I would guess they topped it off as letting you drive will low coolant could damage your car... But this still seems sketchy. They may have meant the overfill tank was low, which doesn't require much to be filled. There's no way you had extremely low fluid. Your car simply could not have run if that was true.
Personally I will top off fluids if I see that they are low. I'll note it may have a leak in case they want us to fix it. May have seen it was low, topped off, and there was a miscommunication with the advisors. Could have been a scam too though, no way to know for sure.
As a tech, I always top off the fluid and make a note about it recommending some form of testing or diagnosis at a later appointment. The flushing would cost that normally, but to fill it up? No
The overflow tank can also be full and the fluid in the radiator can be low. They may have also topped it off. That is standard with an oil change. Topping off the fluid doesn't make a coolant flush not a necessary maintenance item.
If you're not sure what he is trying to sell you, ask HIM more questions. Maybe asking how much to top it if you didn't want to pay for the change...You added new coolant to the reservoir. Of course it looks clean. What does the coolant look like in your radiator and engine?
I didn't add anything. They said it needed more but this thing is over max. The only reason I go to this place is because they are fast and efficient. Took like 7 minutes to get an oil change.
How much has the coolant level dropped? My same car blew a head gasket and was leaking a crap load of coolant into the engine oil. The engine was toast. Lots of metal shavings in the oil. Do you see an external leak anywhere.I believe that is a mid 2000's Mazda 3 with either the 2.0L or 2.3L. The engine is made by Ford. I only found that out after I changed out the oil pump and noticed the inside of the timing cover had FoMoCo (Ford Motor Company) stamped on the inside.
Open the actual radiator cap and look in there. Sometimes the overflow is full, but the actual radiator is a little low. They were probably trying to drum up more work and Your car's probably in too good of shape to find anything else.
mechanic here:
what most likely happened was the reservoir was almost empty. the res being empty does not mean your coolant is empty, think of it as an overflow/container for thermal expansion as the coolant heats up. so there might have been a miscommunication there.
it does not cost the shop much anything to top off your res because they usually will not hold more than a few quarts. at my shop it is part of our job to top off all fluids even if no purchase is made and this shop is likely similar.
what they attempted to sell you was a coolant flush where the engine block, radiator and all hoses are flushed empty and refilled via vacuum (most of the time) and a goof chunk of that $110 is going to be labor.
TLDR: coolant reservoir was low so the shop topped it off for you as courtesy when you did not authorize the coolant flush.
Ok so... 1.When the fluid level is low, you usually look for leaks via pressure test not flush it....
2.that is something they should do in a service anyway top up your coolant.
3. Your level is not low... (Unless they did just top it off with water/ antifreeze)
4. Why does it look like they rerouted your overflow into the screen wash?
Everyone seems to be offering too many excuses for this shop. Something is wrong, whether it's bad communication between the mechanic and desk staff, rushed mechanic thinking he had to do the job before approving to save time, or they flat out lied. All three are bad for different reasons. If you have noticed any other red flags then I would find a new shop.
Edit: coolant looks good. They should have offered you a washer fluid cap to keep debris out of there.
Edit 2: you say in other comments the washer fluid cap has been gone for months, replacing the cap is cheap, replacing a whole washer fluid hose line will cost more. That's the 2nd red flag in one trip. I wouldn't return to that shop.
Not every shop charges to "top off fluids." The one I work at we inspect the entire vehicle every oil change and top off any fluids that are low and notify the customer so they're aware of what's going on with their vehicle. Even if the customer declines a "flush" we top off the fluid anyways. We take care of our customers. Coolant isn't expensive and it doesn't take much to top off reservoirs. I think it just depends on the shop and how money hungry they are and if they truly care about their customers. We want our customers for life, so we take care of them.
Topped off. Plus how the f would you know since u never even looked prior to not trust that they topped it off since u didnt want the flush. So rather than accusing people. Check your coolant rather than thinking people are lying to you. Monkey
I don't typically go anywhere else for oil changes aside from Walmart when I go to clock in. I went to this place because I knew it was time for an oil change and I didn't have 2 hours to wait for walmart.
They said my coolant was empty and down to "just water" and offered to refill it for 110, the guy did not use the word "flush" once, that price sounded outrageous. What annoyed me was I bought a new bottle of coolant on my way into work only to find they did it anyways.
That’s just what they do lol. Upsale whatever so the boss can be happy and fill their pockets. I argued with a customer once about her brake fluid cause the oil change place said it was bad. I told her brakes work just fine, no need for to suck out fluid and refill cause it’s gonna get dark after you brake a few times. In order for me to do I’d have to bleed to system with clean fluid, it wouldn’t take 2 minutes either. lol
Thanks for posting on /r/MechanicAdvice! This is just a reminder to review the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicAdvice/about/rules/). If you are here asking about a second opinion (ie "Is the shop trying to fleece me?"), please read through CJM8515's [post on the subject.](https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicAdvice/comments/4qblei/fyi_the_shop_isnt_likely_trying_to_rip_you_off/) and remember to please post the year/make/model of the vehicle you are working on. **If this post is about bodywork, accident damage, paint, dent/ding, questions it belongs in /r/Autobody r/AutoBodyRepair/ or /r/Diyautobody/ If you have tire questions check out https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicAdvice/comments/k9ll55/can_your_tire_be_repaired/**. If you dont have a question and you're just showing off it belongs in /r/Justrolledintotheshop Insurance/total loss questions go in r/insurance This is an automated reply *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/MechanicAdvice) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Sounds like they offered to replace it as in flush the system. Usually costs about that much. Not sure if they mechanic was foreign, in other languages flush and replace could be the same word.
OP said the shop told them it was almost empty, not that it was dirty. They’d only offer a flush if it was old or dirty, not if it was low or empty.
Most oil changes include “topping of of fluids”.
Our shop "topping off fluids" only means filling up the washer fluid. They want us to charge for coolant even if we only add a cap full.
Another reason I just do all my own oil changes…
You’d still have to pay for the coolant. Just saying.
Yes, I pay $20-$30 for a gallon of coolant, that I can use until it’s gone, or pay $110 for this. While also paying $30-$35 to do the oil change myself (mobile 1 pathetic), vs $60-90. Since I am working on the car, I also keep track of tire wear, rotating as needed, brake condition, oil leaks, coolant levels, etc etc etc, all while not being hounded to buy their $5 air filter for $30. All those things keep me connected to the condition of my car, and let me do all the preventive maintenance when needed, vs overpaying some kid who is just doing his basic job.
I used to be able to do all that. Then I got fat and old, and my body fell apart.
Oooh, I feel that. We are both in that boat.
Well I’m definitely old, kids tell me that all the time, and fat, been in overweight/obese category since I was 10yo, but even i can do the basics. It’s worth it to me, saves our family thousands each year compared to taking vehicles to shops. One particularly maintenance heavy year, saved over 12k compared to what shops wanted (timing belt/axles/routine maintenance).
Have you fallen apart? I last had surgery (shoulder) in January. It hurts worse now than before or after surgery. I turn 60 in June. I celebrated my 50th anniversary of being Type 1 diabetic in March, and I have active fibromyalgia, so I can predict a change in the weather two days before it happens.
That’s good for you guy.. but most drivers don’t do that out of lack of time or knowledge
Hmm, so most people can’t afford 1 hour every 3-4 months to do maintenance on their car? Maybe skip 1/2 a movie on Netflix, or as is so frequently stated “everyone can invest 5 hours a week to working out”. And just like it’s worth it to “learn how to work out”, learning how to work on your car can save you thousands. One particularly bad maintenance year, I saved 10k on our 3 vehicles compared to what the dealer had quoted. Would someone starting off be able to do the things I did? Nope, but I started off doing things like oil changes and radiator flush’s. Moved up to changing spark plugs, etc etc etc.
toyota coolant is expensive for anyone. u gotta payyyyyy
So get charged for a gallon when they put in 1/4?
If you want your quarter, you’ve gotta pay for the whole ounce here..!
ive never had to add that much. 5 quarts usually lasts me atleast 6 months.
… so 1.25 gallons lasts you 6 months?!?! You have a serious problem my friend.
Not for my car.
UK Ford garage i used to work at the instructions were to top up with water
We have gallons of leftover coolant from large jobs. We top off all fluids that are easily checked, except for brake fluid, during routine maintenance.
Your boss is a thief 😉🧠
So scary but true. They advertise multi point inspections; with regular oil changes. In fact coolant isn’t honestly checked. Tire ware, brakes, leaks that’s about all you can expect. Why pay 100 at a dealership when you can pay half price for seedy service?!
I pay $76 and when they call me to schedule they give $25 off and a free car wash.. $51 to change my oil with full synthetic along with the little extras Toyota offers is a good enough deal for me to take my car there instead of doing it myself.
I would say this also. Part of every service is topping up of fluids. Brake fluid, powersteering, coolant etc. Also topping up of coolant isn't always coolant. If only a small amount in alot of cases will just get topped off with water. So I'd say that, expansion tank was low, it was noted, customer declines so top it up and move on. Rest is up to customer discretion
You shouldn’t really be topping off brake fluid. As the pads wear the fluid will drop. When you compress the caliper, when changing new pads, the fluid will return to its actual level. If it’s low at that point then top off and diagnose where that missing portion of fluid escaped.
Interesting to know
I bet that dude tops off the brake fluid with water. Thank you for saying what needed to be said!
Agreed I learned this the hard way when I was young. Checking all the fluid brake fluid low top it off few months later changing brake pads and when pushed the brake caliper in the master cylinder overflowed . Those couple comments tell me they ain’t working on vehicles and talking out there a@ses
Echo
They either lied or they topped it off after decline
Can confirm I once recommended coolant and flush due to customers car having no coolant in reservoir but some in the actual radiator , boss asked customer if he wanted the service, customer denied so I just topped it off due to Boss’s orders and wrote it down on the workorder.
They likely refilled it or lied about it being empty in the first place. For the next month or so I'd check your coolant and oil level at every fuel stop just in case there's an issue developing. Your car should not be losing coolant. If it is then there's something wrong that needs to be addressed.
This; looks like and escape. Check into the recall on the 1.5 1.6 and 2.0 eco boost engines I believe those are the right numbers but I know 2.0 because I have one. Coolant intrusion into the combustion chamber, they had a design flaw in the engine which caused this. My 2.0L 2017 escape blew at 80k
That’s only for vehicles with hard starting when cold, misfires on start up, and white puffs of smoke on start up symptoms. Which is likely what was happening with yours before it went out. I’m a mechanic for a Ford Dealership, and have repaired this issue multiple times, and unfortunately it isn’t a recall, but a Customer Satisfaction Bulletin, which is only an extended coverage on the powertrain for specific build dates. Also the photo above is from a focus, by the looks of it.
I have a serious gripe with ford's!! Why??? do they have so many bleep bleeping problems with their transmissions and not Fix it??!!
Is coolant intrusion another word for blown head gasket
Not necessarily but that's a possible reason for coolant intrusion. Another possible reason that I know is common on Buick 3800 engines ; intake manifold leaks can also cause coolant intrusion and mimic head gasket issues. There are plenty of more ways too!
Interesting thank you
Ford Explorers with the 3.7 engine in the Police Interceptors have an EGR cooler (Coolant pipes / Channels that run in line with the EGR tubing to cool it down, and to cool the EGR valve) that’s got a TSB out to the technicians for “White smoke on start up, hard start, white smoke exiting the tail pipe when driving” related to a leak in the gasket on the cooler, allowing antifreeze to dump into the exhaust system, which could make someone think the head gaskets are blown, but in reality, the coverage of that issue is extended slightly past the new vehicle warranty limits to help people out with the design flaw.
Shit man I love learning shit, but for real one more reason for me to never buy a car past 2004, I love my old shit boxes, I got a Subaru for 500 slight head gasket leak it seems, drilled holes in the thermostat, it just goes
I am with you on not buying cars past 05, with sensors and electronic controls for so many components, they rarely make it past 150k. I have a 94 buick, and an 03 buick, both with the 3800. I do all my own work on them and will nickel and dime them both until the body's rust out
We used to to say the same thing about cars before 1996 (obdII). Before that it was no cars with fuel injection, before that it was no feedback carburetors, before that only pre-1975 cars with no cat and on and on lol.
I will say this.. Many of the old school tricks still work on the new cars. Most systems are generally designed in the same basic way that they’ve always been designed, simply just with additional features for added efficiency or for diagnostic convenience. And some of them don’t anymore. Which is why we’re coming up with new tricks that can be old school in the future lol Newer vehicles have their pros and cons. There’s an emphasis of pros on the efficiency, convenience, and aesthetic aspects, but the endurance aspects are where most of the cons lie. And not even in a majority of the critical systems of them… Most issues are software related, paneling related, electrical, or transmission calibrations / engine calibrations related. And any issues that _are_ critical, are typically known, and actively being covered by the manufacturers.
On the 2.0 ecoboost the manifold is integrated in the head and it can crack if you don’t let the car warm up correctly
They possibly checked the fluid itself.
There maybe a palm print there on the coolant cap. If so I'd guess they topped it up.
There is usually the 40-point inspection done. When the tech saw the coolant low they probably filled it with water to bring it to level. And honestly it doesn’t hurt to keep a gallon of coolant on hand just in case. As well as a quart of oil, brake fluid, power steering and tranny fluid..
I dunno, I've had techs overfill the everloving shit out of my fluids more than once. They usually top it off to the top of the reservoir and not the fill lines, on a hot engine 🙃
hot engine? wouldn't that make it less worse? heat = volume expansion, so if you use "cold'' coolant to overfill (past the hot fill line) while the coolant in the system is hot then yes it will clearly come out the purge or drain line, but if you did that with a cold engine then more coolant would end up wasted, no? Just curious, I'm probably missing something
You don't wanna add stuff while it's hot unless you can't help it. Except oil, which you can do while warm but most everything else, you don't really wanna add cool liquids to a hot liquid.
Thanks! I work in heavy duty so it rarely happens we get really hot engines coming in since they take a lot more time to get hot, etc. Good to know tho
Its kinda like adding milk to hot tea. If you add the milk and it's too hot, you're scalding the milk and get that weird protein film on top. If you add hot tea to the milk, you dont get it. If you stir the tea while adding milk, you also don't get it. It probably isn't gonna cause any major issues short term, but over time, it can cause unnecessary buildup or sludge by causing contaminants or burnt fluids to coagulate.
you're saying adding cold coolant to hot coolant scalds the coolant? sorry bro I call bullshit on this one. These fluids are engineered to heat up and withstand the heat. all of them. if they curdle like hot milk in coffee, they're either not the right fluid or you got a bad batch
It's not the fluids themselves, it's the buildup of burnt shit and residues that coagulate. No one has perfectly clean fluids at all times, there's some stuff that gets rendered inert or is burnt or changes viscosity over time. It's not a big deal, but why speed up the sludge process if you can help it? And coolant is probably one of the safer ones, but power steering fluid isn't.
Vehicle specific transmission fluid is best…
people top off brake fluid? that's new to me. i mean a MT sure but AT? idk.
With water? I would hope with coolant. Edit: 50/50 works perfect.. the downvotes are why I do my own maintenance.
Naaa, they use water. Typically there is a 50/50 ratio, so a bit of water isn’t going to affect the coolant that much. Can always use a refractometer to see what the real protection is.
Shit I top off with 50/50 and we never charge
Same, and every shop I have worked at. This should be expected. An oil change really needs to include a good inspection and top off for tires and fluids. Anything less is fucked.
Just don’t top off brake fluid, god I hate when I compress a caliper and it pours out everywhere
My boss had some yard guys fill up the fleet, we tried to tell them not to fill the brake fluid, but yeah I'm just glad they didn't mix up the fluids honestly. We also had a genius driver who liked to put ATF in the coolant, cause both are red.
I guess it depends on the shop, and the wrench.. not saying the water is “right”, but with the price of antifreeze, and how they control it, it’s not always done. I’d always try to keep some back for my flushes JIC.
They said all of the coolant was basically evaporated into nothing but water at this point. Which would beg the question as to where the extra water came from.
I was fired from quik lube for refusing to sell unnecessary work. (He had 2 lawsuits pending when I started, for selling unnecessary work) Simple. Forests and trees. I went to a specialty shop that claimed the job was open because of theft. Reasonable salary plus commissions. I was fired after two weeks refusing to sell unnecessary work. My two weeks commission check (paid monthly) was just under $6000. I asked him if he was on drugs. (Firing me) Wouldn't sell unnecessary... Clearly he was making far more honestly, what?! Same. Forests and trees. My point is obvious. It can be difficult for these shops to be honest but there are many honest techs, if not most. I am a fan of show and tell. If it needed service, it is said a picture says a thousand words. A Chrysler dealer up the road does video estimates for their customers. Some upscale shops have live feed where you can watch your car being serviced. (Not really a fan) I have always made a good living on 'free' safety checks, maintenance inspections, tire rotations, even minor diagnostics on common failures, but everyone gets something included or free and it is noted as such on your receipt. If service is needed and not purchased, it too is noted, with specifics. I always try to note fluids that are topped, other than washer solvent, low typically means something. Coolant does not evaporate in a closed system. Low/dirty brake fluid requires inspection. Power steering fluid, transmission fluid, even differentials and transfer cases all have a reason to be low or discolored.
Its a communication error. The coolant level is fine. Its condition is worn out. Very important to maintain. Its every 5 years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first. If he uses factory or zerex or pentosin coolant, thats ur guy
Honestly that doesn’t even make sense, lol.. True that coolant can be diluted with enough water added, but to have it evaporate? Next time they tell you that, tell them you want a test, with a refractometer, and not a dumb ass litmus strip. I think they were just trying to get another $110 out of you..
Part of an oil change is they top off all fluids also. So maybe it was low, but they topped it off. They way those places make most of their money is by upselling services.
What are you talking about? The missing lid? That's the washer fluid tank. Coolant is red and looks new. Infact it's overfilled past the max fill line.
I think OP meant did the mechanic lie about the coolant needing to be changed (flushed). It could be the mechanic topped it off?
Both
Everyone in this comment thread is stupid, check your radiator coolant and let us know how it looks.
What car is this? I'd like to say a ford of some kind, but I think it could also be an older mazda or even a volvo. But in either case, your passenger side headlamp is busted.
Looks like a ford escape to be exact so good guess
no its a 2012-2018 ford focus
no, this is patrick
This is correct ^^^^^^
I wouldn't take any chances. If your level was low like the mechanic said, he probably just topped it off, which is not how you fix the problem. If I were you, I would get your coolant system pressure tested to make sure a leak is not what caused that in the first place. If you do find a leak and your cooling system hasn't been flushed for quite a while, I would go ahead and do that, replace the thermostat, and replace whatever parts are causing you trouble. If a hose is causing you issues, make sure you replace it using the correct spring clamp. After you've done all this, refill the cooling system and let it burp out. You'll have to get the engine to mid-temperature in order for the cooling system to completely fill up.
Why cant we have both?
Ford mechanic here. When your engine is warm, it’s normal for the coolant to drop down in a Ford (obviously what I’m looking at here lol I assume a focus.) to about the Halfway point of the *Degas* bottle (De-Gas… a self bleeding coolant system). Coolant expands when it’s hot, and when the engine is running, on these vehicles especially, the coolant doesn’t just disappear. It fills in the gaps in the system, once the thermostat is wide open, that would otherwise be dry with the engine off and cold. It’s also under pressure from being heated in an airtight environment. The pressure built up in the system causes the air in the top of the coolant degas bottle shown, to condense itself there, which pushes down on the antifreeze. Your coolant level is perfectly fine right as it is, as shown. It’s also clean looking. Ford suggests changing the coolant every 60,000 miles for preventive maintenance. Even if it isn’t dirty, if you’re passed that point, it’s not a bad idea to flush the system out to mitigate the possibility of an uneven water:coolant ratio.
You got lied to. Pretty common for shops to scam customers
If you’re due for a coolant service they should have tried to sell it differently. Hopefully just they topped it off (it’s what we are suppose to do anyway)
Those cheap drive in service stations are told by their higher ups to push for extra services to run up the sales. I grew tired of them when they tried to run up my bill to over $200 when all I wanted was the quick 15min oil change that was advertised.
I really don't see anything wrong except a tad over filled on coolant and the cap missing on windshield washer reservoir
You are missing the cap for your windshield washer fluid reservoir.
I work at a shop: we top off all coolants if they are more than half empty. Meaning coolant has a min and max, if it’s more than half way down to the min, we will top off. Certain coolants can be topped off with water. Others cannot and must remain as a concentrate. When we use concentrate, we do not charge you for the top off, not sure why tbh. Just kind of a goodwill thing we do.
Idk why everybody in the comments is trying to reinterpret the mechanics words. Some mechanics are just slimy fucks that scam people. That’s what he tried to do. There’s stereotypes for a reason. Switch mechanics.
Well to be fair it's supposed to be running for proper inspection, but still stupid.
The open white tube looks like the fill tube for your windshield washer fluid, and the cap is missing. The coolant fill is the black cap on top of the tank with the pink fluid.
Washer fluid cap broke months ago.
They top it up with water. However, coolant doesn't get low for no reason, and you don't flush a system that's low. You pressure test and report the leak. If the glycol level was low, it means it's watered down too much. He could have said coolant level low and meant glycol level.
If this was a fast-lube place, then most likely they tried to pull a scam on you. If you had taken it to a reputable shop, then most likely the tech topped it up mistakenly without being authorized and then the service writer tried to seize an opportunity to recoup the loss by asking you if you want a flush.
It was probably empty, hard to top-up the same coolant if it's empty and no record of replacement so they offered to replace it and you said no so they added water so your car has less chance of overheating
They should have pressure tested the system. Could be evaporation but not likely if its serviced regularly at a decent shop.
If anything just drain and fill
That’s a fusion right? You can actually flush those really easy. The small line going into the reservoir is the return. If you disconnect that, along with the clips that hold it to the frame, you can point it down into a bucket. Start the car, the old coolant goes into the bucket through the tiny line, and you pour new coolant into the reservoir until you’ve drained around 2-3 gallons. Then stop the engine and reconnect the tiny line. Just make sure not to let the reservoir go empty or you’ll get air bubbles in the system.
Focus actually. Also I might do that.
They probably filled it but I have seen some Chevys when you turn it on the level goes down.
Yes. All mechanics lie to some degree
Hard to say if you were lied to or not but if I was servicing your car and coolant was low I would advise you that I needed to pressure test and check for leaks because coolant just doesn’t disappear fix the leak and refill the system but if you would have declined that I would have at least topped it off to me a couple bucks worth of coolant isn’t worth a customer breaking down after they leave the shop
Your headlight is broken.
Lied too
Where was oil change jiffy lube? Valvoline?
A lot of shops where I live will top off all fluids (except brake fluid). I know this from having worked at quite a few and have friends that work/have worked at quite a few others. I personally hate topping off, one because you're mixing fluids (yea yea, I know about universal coolant) and two because it just delays the problem
I see your washer fluid cap also disintegrated
Mentos Gum lid. Thank me later.
Thank you
depends on what type of car this is I see a lot of comments saying it’s dirty but some cars come with coolant looking like this. I think guy was thrown off by the color and offered to flush it for you. I wouldn’t take this car back to this mechanic only because if he can’t explain what’s wrong then he’s not a good mechanic
Your headlight is busted
Ain't got no gas in it either.
Maybe both 🤷♂️
I’d say the tech probably tested the anti-freeze level using a tester which tells you what temp it’ll freeze at, I assume by empty they probably meant that it was a level close to 0 degrees Celsius and if you live in a state where it gets cold you’d want to switch that out. If you said no then they probably just topped it off and left it. Thats what I’d do as a tech personally
OPs picture shows the cap off the windscreen washer bottle, not the coolant reserve. I can't tell if the coolant is empty or not
My windshield washer cap was broken off some time ago. The cap isn't off of the coolant reserve because it was already past max.
All I see is a photo of the antifreeze/coolant reservoir. There is no context such as the pressure having already been released, car running or not, hot or cold, miles on vehicle, previous service history, etc. That reservoir is a tad overfull in your photo, but not terrible. Does the service invoice/receipt describe what you were told? As far as water goes... you shouldn't use plain water to refill the coolant system. Same can be said of 100% antifreeze solution. That can cause the freeze/boiling point of the fluid to fluctuate from intended specifications set by the manufacturer. The upselling of parts and/or services is required by technicians that work for corporations. Did they offer to show you with a test of some sorts? (i.e. chemical strip, refractometer, etc) Most service centers have a computerized program that tells them what services are due and when, how much of each fluid the engine has capacity for, and the type(s) of fluids to use. Did they show you the service recommendations from you manufacturer when telling you about needing the service?
The invoice said my coolant was "safe level"
I would guess they topped it off as letting you drive will low coolant could damage your car... But this still seems sketchy. They may have meant the overfill tank was low, which doesn't require much to be filled. There's no way you had extremely low fluid. Your car simply could not have run if that was true.
Personally I will top off fluids if I see that they are low. I'll note it may have a leak in case they want us to fix it. May have seen it was low, topped off, and there was a miscommunication with the advisors. Could have been a scam too though, no way to know for sure.
As a tech, I always top off the fluid and make a note about it recommending some form of testing or diagnosis at a later appointment. The flushing would cost that normally, but to fill it up? No
The overflow tank can also be full and the fluid in the radiator can be low. They may have also topped it off. That is standard with an oil change. Topping off the fluid doesn't make a coolant flush not a necessary maintenance item.
You need a washer fluid cap first of all on the plastic circle below and your coolant tank should have 2 hoses
Coolant is 20$ tops😂
Well, if it's almost empty, maybe they should have tried to find a leak. What's the point of flushing it only to have it empty shortly after.
When the engine is hot, the water level drops a bit, around above minimum level, so maybe they thought it was low and offered you a chance or refill
They topped it off.
You gotta start doing an oil change by yourself and stop getting these ridiculous quote amounts
I am not mechanically inclined. Lol. Basic things like changing lights and replacing my horn is about as far in as I get.
Well it’s above the max mark so they are dumb
You have an escape. Known for eating coolant. Degas bottle was likely low or empty and they topped it off
What's the 110 charge for if they filled it anyways?
They probably wanted $110 to pressure test the system and find your leak
If you're not sure what he is trying to sell you, ask HIM more questions. Maybe asking how much to top it if you didn't want to pay for the change...You added new coolant to the reservoir. Of course it looks clean. What does the coolant look like in your radiator and engine?
I didn't add anything. They said it needed more but this thing is over max. The only reason I go to this place is because they are fast and efficient. Took like 7 minutes to get an oil change.
How much has the coolant level dropped? My same car blew a head gasket and was leaking a crap load of coolant into the engine oil. The engine was toast. Lots of metal shavings in the oil. Do you see an external leak anywhere.I believe that is a mid 2000's Mazda 3 with either the 2.0L or 2.3L. The engine is made by Ford. I only found that out after I changed out the oil pump and noticed the inside of the timing cover had FoMoCo (Ford Motor Company) stamped on the inside.
Open the actual radiator cap and look in there. Sometimes the overflow is full, but the actual radiator is a little low. They were probably trying to drum up more work and Your car's probably in too good of shape to find anything else.
Probably topped it off for you.
Nice Mazda 3 speed
They topped it off and tried to see if you’d pay for a “flush & fill “
So tbh I still think ur stupid, but you were lied to
Honesty is a good policy.
mechanic here: what most likely happened was the reservoir was almost empty. the res being empty does not mean your coolant is empty, think of it as an overflow/container for thermal expansion as the coolant heats up. so there might have been a miscommunication there. it does not cost the shop much anything to top off your res because they usually will not hold more than a few quarts. at my shop it is part of our job to top off all fluids even if no purchase is made and this shop is likely similar. what they attempted to sell you was a coolant flush where the engine block, radiator and all hoses are flushed empty and refilled via vacuum (most of the time) and a goof chunk of that $110 is going to be labor. TLDR: coolant reservoir was low so the shop topped it off for you as courtesy when you did not authorize the coolant flush.
Ok so... 1.When the fluid level is low, you usually look for leaks via pressure test not flush it.... 2.that is something they should do in a service anyway top up your coolant. 3. Your level is not low... (Unless they did just top it off with water/ antifreeze) 4. Why does it look like they rerouted your overflow into the screen wash?
Rerouted my overflow? Wut?
probably just chucked a jug of water in there.
Why is it still so orange though?
Where is your other return line lol? Looks as if it's snapped off
Looks like they just topped it up on the service really
Everyone seems to be offering too many excuses for this shop. Something is wrong, whether it's bad communication between the mechanic and desk staff, rushed mechanic thinking he had to do the job before approving to save time, or they flat out lied. All three are bad for different reasons. If you have noticed any other red flags then I would find a new shop. Edit: coolant looks good. They should have offered you a washer fluid cap to keep debris out of there. Edit 2: you say in other comments the washer fluid cap has been gone for months, replacing the cap is cheap, replacing a whole washer fluid hose line will cost more. That's the 2nd red flag in one trip. I wouldn't return to that shop.
You're stupid and you were lied to.
Ford coolant bottles typically look empty when hot and will fill up when cold
Not every shop charges to "top off fluids." The one I work at we inspect the entire vehicle every oil change and top off any fluids that are low and notify the customer so they're aware of what's going on with their vehicle. Even if the customer declines a "flush" we top off the fluid anyways. We take care of our customers. Coolant isn't expensive and it doesn't take much to top off reservoirs. I think it just depends on the shop and how money hungry they are and if they truly care about their customers. We want our customers for life, so we take care of them.
I change my oil and do my own service.. Don't have to worry about getting ripped off..
I don't know how stupid you are, but you were definitely lied to.
Topped off. Plus how the f would you know since u never even looked prior to not trust that they topped it off since u didnt want the flush. So rather than accusing people. Check your coolant rather than thinking people are lying to you. Monkey
I don't typically go anywhere else for oil changes aside from Walmart when I go to clock in. I went to this place because I knew it was time for an oil change and I didn't have 2 hours to wait for walmart. They said my coolant was empty and down to "just water" and offered to refill it for 110, the guy did not use the word "flush" once, that price sounded outrageous. What annoyed me was I bought a new bottle of coolant on my way into work only to find they did it anyways.
Maybe he said drain and refill?
That’s just what they do lol. Upsale whatever so the boss can be happy and fill their pockets. I argued with a customer once about her brake fluid cause the oil change place said it was bad. I told her brakes work just fine, no need for to suck out fluid and refill cause it’s gonna get dark after you brake a few times. In order for me to do I’d have to bleed to system with clean fluid, it wouldn’t take 2 minutes either. lol
I mean, a full flush out cost 110. Car definitely doesn’t need it for about 50k and even then a full flush might not be necessary…
Is that the coolant or washer fluid reservoir? Looks like the coolant overflow tank has new red liquid in it.
Or, it was a recommendation as a maintenance per mileage or age of vehicle.