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Coolant top up i30 N sedan (Elantra N)

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UdeshSilva

New Member
Jun 7, 2022
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Melbourne, Australia
Hi guys, I'm currently sitting at a just below MIN coolant level on my i30N Sedan (Elantra N) and wondering if I can just use distilled water to top up until the midpoint?
I took this photo when the car hasn't been driven for around 3 days and it was 9 degrees Celsius (48 Fahrenheit).
My concern is if I just add distilled water would it upset the antifreeze/water ratio too much?
284314287_10224149085187822_3873450988361650828_n.jpg
 
Yes, this is the desired way to bring the reservoir up to specification. No it won’t cause any issues with the coolant ratio.

Just make sure you check it when it’s cold. Generally, the first chance in the morning before being utilized.👍🇺🇸
 
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Does anyone experience coolant loss? I’ve topped mine from MIN to MAX about 2 months ago and now it’s already on the half. I don’t see any visible leakage.
 
Are you checking it after the engine cool down? Check any of the hose end fittings for leakage when the engine is cool and look for any coolant residue. If it’s leaking from any one of these fittings it will be fairly obvious.

One sure way is to take it into the dealer service and have them do a pressurized pressurized leak down test. If it’s leaking any where, they’ll be able to see it directly.👍🇺🇸
 
My pre FL i30n had a coolant loss from new.
I had it investigated by the dealer several times, but nothing was found.
Strange thing was that it only seemed to happen in the period august-october and march-april. In those periods I had to fill it up every 2500 km. The rest of the year it stayed just under the maximummark. The car had 110k km when I sold it and the coolant loss never had a negative impact, the engine ran like new.
I do know a few other with the same problem.
Take it to the dealer and have them search it for leaks. If that doesn´t bring up anything just keep your eye on it and fill it up from time to time and you´ll be fine.
 
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I have appointment anyhow next week for other problems but I will mention this to them. I am not sure but in my case it seems to loose coolant on longer drives (500+ km) , but ironically on such trips I rarely push it. It’s mostly 120kmh cruise in normal mode.
 
One last thing; I don’t want to alarm anyone but in the worst case scenario, there might be a head gasket internal leak. If it’s leaking internally, it will literally be burnt in combustion.

There will be tell tale signs of increased water vapor exiting from the tailpipe.
Residue will be similar to wet carbon. Oily black soot and visible vapor.👍🇺🇸
 
WrathOfN said:
At that point only option left is engine replacement?
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Not that fast.
Normally the head gets warped and occasionally the block can get warped to.
When it is serviceable, the head needs to be skimmed, but that is still doable. When that isn´t an option anymore, because the head is out of tollerance, you´ll need a new head (the engine that is 😁).
That is all still more or less affordable.
When the block would need skimming, that would be a different story...
That would be a worst case scenario, my guess is that it´s gonna be a smaller problem, or they don´t even find anything.
 
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WrathOfN said:
At that point only option left is engine replacement?
Click to expand...
No, that not so. Water in itself is not dangerous for the engine. Water injection is used on many diesel and ICE engines with great effectiveness.

I leaky head gasket isn’t going to require an engine replacement, only to fix the issue. If it’s a cracked water jacket it might require a short block. If it’s a head gasket, only the replacement of the head gasket.

Keep in mind I said, “a worst case scenario.”.

Resurfacing head or or block by milling is always an option. There are other methods of repair as well. Re-decking the surface, then milling and utilizing a thicker head gasket.

Repalcement of an engine is the last resort in any case.

Personally, I’d look to the plastic reservoir first. They have a habit of cracking over time with the heat the engine bay generates. A small crack can seep and evaporate rather quickly, especially with engine bay heat. These crack expand during operation then contract and partially seal when the engine bay cools.👍🇺🇸
 
I had my fair share of bad luck with this one so everything is on the table 😅

I am letting it warm up now, it is smoking somewhat white from the tail pipes but not excessively
 
My FL i30N hatch has a similar issue (noticed the coolant at min level), when at operating temp you can smell the coolant. Thinking it maybe leaking from the turbo... keeping an eye on the coolant level until I can get it into the dealer.
 
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I actually just came from dealership, they refused to even look at the car as apparently my warranty is void because my first service was at 13 months and 10350km instead 12 months/10k km which is delusional.
 
WrathOfN said:
I actually just came from dealership, they refused to even look at the car as apparently my warranty is void because my first service was at 13 months and 10350km instead 12 months/10k km which is delusional.
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Hyundai states you are allowed to overstep your service by 2k km before the warranty would be void in Germany. Don't remember if you can do it by a month too - but I'd think so.

Go to a different dealer. This one has no clue about the car.
 
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Tom Vanlimbergen said:
My pre FL i30n had a coolant loss from new.
I had it investigated by the dealer several times, but nothing was found.
Strange thing was that it only seemed to happen in the period august-october and march-april. In those periods I had to fill it up every 2500 km. The rest of the year it stayed just under the maximummark. The car had 110k km when I sold it and the coolant loss never had a negative impact, the engine ran like new.
I do know a few other with the same problem.
Take it to the dealer and have them search it for leaks. If that doesn´t bring up anything just keep your eye on it and fill it up from time to time and you´ll be fine.
Click to expand...
Hi Tom...I think I have a similar "problem". Up to 15k km the coolant level was always on the max or a bit under. Now I have 46k km and every 8/10 k km the level tends at min. I checked everywhere..hoses, clamps, water pump, tank but I don't find no sign of leak... I check the level when the engine is cold and the liquid isn't contaminated by the oil. The mechanic also checked the pressure of the coolant system and if there was presence of exhaust gas in the coolant system but everything is fine. I don't know where to look anymore hahahha
 
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