So recently started getting a P0128 code, which my understanding is due to ‘likely’ the main thermostat. I saw this video on how to replace it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10aySOX7aV8

Now, here is what I know and what I don’t know.

KNOW:

  • My valve cover gasket needs replaced, as I’ve encountered oil leaking from it and I know into spark plug location #1 (far left).
  • Oil levels recently were quite low, and I suspect the engine is eating much of it. In the meantime I did a full oil change just to at least get fresh stuff in there
  • My coolant reservoir looks fine. I topped it off the other day, but it was above the ‘min’.
  • The engine temp from inside the car always appears fine

NOT KNOW:

  • Can the coolant be low but reservoir be ok?
  • I need to do some driving this week that will be in the 2-3 hour mark. Would I be ok or should I consider other transportation until I get the thermostat replaced?
  • Could I take the radiator cap off and add more coolant there? about 4-6 months ago I replaced the oil cooler gasket, which required me to add coolant that had been drained, but I didn’t drain the coolant via the drain screw under the car, just what all came out via the oil cooler hoses (2 hoses)

Basically, am I at the stage where any driving can harm the vehicle?

  • NickRMX6@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    DIYer advice:

    " Can the coolant be low but reservoir be ok?"

    Yes. I takes time (many days) for much coolant to get transferred from the reservoir to the radiator. A little bit gets transferred whenever the engine warms up and then cools down again (air gets forced out of the radiator when it heats up and expands, and then coolant gets sucked back in from the reservoir when it cools down and contracts).

    " Could I take the radiator cap off and add more coolant there?"

    Yes. And it would be a good idea to open the radiator cap, check that it’s full to the brim, and add coolant to the radiator if it isn’t. But only open the radiator cap when the engine is cool. (You don’t normally need to do this, and only need check the reservoir, unless there’s a large leak. But in your case, it would be good to check.)

    " I need to do some driving this week that will be in the 2-3 hour mark. Would I be ok or should I consider other transportation until I get the thermostat replaced?"

    If it were my car, I would drive it. Then replace the thermostat when I got back.