Coolant Leak? 2013 Mazda3i

[cadep04]

Hey all, first post here. My 2013 Mazda 3i started leaking coolant, and while driving today it started to overheat. I pulled over to a gas station, bought coolant and filled the reservoir. I walked away for a few minutes, came back and it nearly drained all of it out.

Here is a video of it right after the car shut off. I’m not a car guy but I would love to fix this myself to avoid a mechanic. Thanks!

 

[sm1ke]

Hey all, first post here. My 2013 Mazda 3i started leaking coolant, and while driving today it started to overheat. I pulled over to a gas station, bought coolant and filled the reservoir. I walked away for a few minutes, came back and it nearly drained all of it out.
Here is a video of it right after the car shut off. I’m not a car guy but I would love to fix this myself to avoid a mechanic. Thanks!

How much coolant did you add, and what brand and type? Is the coolant reservoir empty? Can you see any leaks under the car?

Definitely don't turn it back on again, at least not yet. Pull the engine oil dipstick to check the color of the oil, if it's a milky brown you may need to get your engine replaced.

Check page 452 of your owner's manual, linked here. The coolant used should be Mazda FL22 or a suitable replacement. Check coolant hoses and check the radiator for leaks. If you have the 2.5L engine, you may need up to 7.5L of coolant to fill it from empty. If you have the 2.0L engine, you'll need 7.4L or 8.2L depending on if your car is a manual or automatic.

If the coolant level in the reservoir is full, you don't see any leaks, the engine oil looks normal and the engine is cool, then you can try starting the engine up again. Keep an eye on the coolant level in the reservoir, and try to make sure the fluid level is at the halfway mark when then the engine is cold and the car has been sitting for a few hours. If it keeps overheating and you don't see any leaks, it's probably best to contact a mechanic at that point.

 

[cadep04]

How much coolant did you add, and what brand and type? Is the coolant reservoir empty? Can you see any leaks under the car?

Definitely don't turn it back on again, at least not yet. Pull the engine oil dipstick to check the color of the oil, if it's a milky brown you may need to get your engine replaced.

Check page 452 of your owner's manual, linked here. The coolant used should be Mazda FL22 or a suitable replacement. Check coolant hoses and check the radiator for leaks. If you have the 2.5L engine, you may need up to 7.5L of coolant to fill it from empty. If you have the 2.0L engine, you'll need 7.4L or 8.2L depending on if your car is a manual or automatic.

If the coolant level in the reservoir is full, you don't see any leaks, the engine oil looks normal and the engine is cool, then you can try starting the engine up again. Keep an eye on the coolant level in the reservoir, and try to make sure the fluid level is at the halfway mark when then the engine is cold and the car has been sitting for a few hours. If it keeps overheating and you don't see any leaks, it's probably best to contact a mechanic at that point.

Thanks, I will check the oil level when I am out of classes today. I added about 3/4 of a 3.78 liter container of cheap ShopPro engine coolant ShopPro Engine Coolant Antifreeze Yellow Pre-Mixed. I will be getting it towed home. I am not sure on the engine size, I will check that too. Tomorrow me and my dad will look and assess where exactly the leak is coming from to see if we can fix it ourselves.

 

[sm1ke]

Thanks, I will check the oil level when I am out of classes today. I added about 3/4 of a 3.78 liter container of cheap ShopPro engine coolant ShopPro Engine Coolant Antifreeze Yellow Pre-Mixed. I will be getting it towed home. I am not sure on the engine size, I will check that too. Tomorrow me and my dad will look and assess where exactly the leak is coming from to see if we can fix it ourselves.

If the oil level is good and the colour is good, I'd tow it to a shop to do a coolant flush with Mazda coolant. The stuff you used might be ok in small amounts for the emergency top ups, but I wouldn't fill the system with it. The shop should also be able to pressure test the system to see if there are any leaks.