Checking fluid levels (Opel Corsa B)

Some special maintenance procedures that require additional fluid level checks are also described below. Look under your vehicle regularly for signs of developing fluid leaks.

The authors of this Manual recommend checking the levels of the main working fluids (engine oil, coolant, windshield washer fluid, battery electrolyte, power steering fluid) on a regular basis, at least every 7500 km. The rest - in accordance with the maintenance schedule (see section Schedule of current maintenance).

Various fluids act as working fluids in lubrication, cooling, braking, clutch, heating and air conditioning, windshield washing, etc. systems. Since all fluids are subject to dilution and wear over time, and also gradually become contaminated during normal system operation, it is necessary to periodically replace them completely. Before adjusting the level or replacing, check the list of recommended fluid grades for use in the vehicle (see Specifications in Chapter Vehicle settings and routine maintenance).

When checking fluid levels, the vehicle should be parked on a level, horizontal surface, if possible with a hard surface.

Engine oil

Visual inspection of leaks

If the engine is oily and has a high oil consumption, check the most likely places for leaks:

• Open the filler cap and check the seal for cracks or damage;
• Crankcase ventilation: For example, ventilation hose from cylinder head cover to air intake hose;
• Cylinder head cover gasket;
• Cylinder head gasket;
• Drain plug (sealing ring);
• Oil filter gasket: filter flange joint;
• Oil pan gasket;
• Front and rear crankshaft oil seals.

Since the oil spreads over a large surface area of the engine when there are leaks, it is difficult to immediately identify the leak locations. To detect leaks, proceed as follows:

1. Wrap the generator in plastic.

2. Spray the engine with a regular cold cleaner and after a short time rinse with water at a car wash.

3. Sprinkle the outside of the engine component joints with lime or talc.

4. Check the oil level and top up if necessary.

5. Take a test drive of about 30 km on a high-speed highway, as the oil in a hot engine reduces its viscosity and appears faster at the leak points.

6. Finally, examine the engine with a lamp and locate the leaks, eliminating the faults.

Checking the level

Check the oil level approximately every 1,000 km and top up if necessary. The car should consume no more than 1.0 l of oil per 1,000 km. Higher consumption indicates wear of the valve stem seals and/or piston rings or seals.

Checking the engine oil level is an important preventive maintenance procedure for the engine. A constant decrease in the level indicates the presence of oil leaks due to failure of seals, damage to sealing gaskets, wear of piston rings or valve guides. If the oil is milky in color or consistency, or if there are drops of water in it, this indicates possible damage to the cylinder head gasket or the formation of cracks in the body of the head or block. The check should be done without delay. When measuring the oil level, always also check its condition. Use your thumb and forefinger to remove traces of oil from the dipstick blade - if there are small metal particles in it, the oil must be replaced (see section Changing engine oil and oil filter).



1. Park the car on a level surface.

2. Park the car on a level surface.

3. Warm up the engine to operating temperature and turn it off. Wait 3 minutes until the oil drains into the oil pan.

4. Remove the oil dipstick and wipe it with a clean cloth.

5. Then insert the dipstick all the way in and pull it out again. The oil level should be between the MIN and MAX marks

6. Add oil if its level is near the lower mark.

Engine oil dipstick (1) with marks and dipstick guide (2)

The volume of oil corresponding to the difference between the "MIN" and "MAX" marks is 1.0 l.

Engine coolant

Do not allow antifreeze to come into contact with exposed areas of the body or painted surfaces of the vehicle. Wash away accidental splashes immediately with plenty of water. Remember that antifreeze is a highly toxic liquid and its ingestion, even in small quantities, can have the most serious consequences, including death. Never leave antifreeze stored in a loosely closed container; immediately collect any coolant spilled on the floor. Remember that the sweet smell of antifreeze can attract the attention of children and animals. Consult with local authorities about methods of disposal of used coolant - in many regions of the world, special collection points for various types of waste have been set up. Never pour old coolant into the sewer or onto the ground!

In recent years, non-toxic types of antifreeze have been developed, however, they must also be disposed of in an organized manner.

All models of cars described in this Manual are equipped with a compensating cooling system operating under excess pressure. The expansion tank of the cooling system, made of translucent plastic, is located in front of the engine compartment bulkhead. When the engine warms up, the coolant (coolant) expands, and its excess flows through the valve mounted in the radiator filler cap into the expansion tank. As the liquid cools, it returns through the hose back to the radiator, which allows its level in the system to be constantly maintained at the normal level.

Do not remove the radiator/expansion tank cap when the engine is hot!

The coolant level in the expansion tank is checked regularly and when the engine is cold it should not fall below the KALT/COLD mark on the wall of the tank made of translucent plastic. If necessary, make the appropriate adjustment by adding the required amount of fresh mixture to the tank.

Checking the coolant level through the translucent walls of the expansion tank

To adjust the fluid level, use only the required mixture of ethylene glycol and distilled water (about 50/50). Remember that frequent use of plain water for this purpose leads to gradual dilution of the antifreeze and loss of frost resistance and anticorrosive properties by the mixture. You should also not abuse various types of additives.

A constant drop in coolant level usually indicates that there are developing leaks in the system. Check the radiator, connecting hoses, filler cap, drain plugs and water pump housing for signs of leaks. If no signs of leaks can be found, the radiator cap should be pressure tested in a car service workshop.

If you need to remove the radiator cap, wait until the engine has cooled down completely, then wrap the neck with a thick layer of rags and slowly unscrew the cap to the first stop. If steam is released, allow the engine to cool down a little more, and only then remove the cap completely.

In addition to the level, always check the condition of the coolant - it should be relatively clear. If the coolant is a reddish-brown rust color, the cooling system should be drained, flushed and filled with a fresh mixture of antifreeze and water. Even if the liquid does not change in appearance, the corrosion inhibitors it contains are subject to wear over time, so the coolant should be replaced regularly in accordance with the vehicle's routine maintenance schedule (see section Schedule of current maintenance).

Try to avoid contact of antifreeze with exposed skin or painted surfaces of body components. Wash off accidental splashes immediately with plenty of water.

Windscreen and headlight lens washer fluid

The windshield and rear window washer fluid is poured into a special plastic reservoir located in the left corner of the engine compartment between the shock absorber strut and the bulkhead; the headlamp washer fluid reservoir is located in front of the shock absorber strut. In regions with a moderate climate, clean water can be used as a windshield washer fluid, but do not fill the reservoir more than 2/3 full to compensate for the expansion of water when it freezes during frosts. When operating the vehicle in severe climatic conditions, use only patented windshield wipers that provide an appropriate decrease in the freezing point of the fluid. To avoid freezing of the glass when washing in cold weather, preheat it by blowing air passed through the heater heat exchanger.

The rules for mixing the mixture are usually printed on the container label. Do not use antifreeze used in the cooling system to add to the windshield washer fluid - the latter is aggressive towards the paintwork of the body panels!

Battery electrolyte

The vehicles covered by this Manual are equipped with a sealed maintenance-free battery, the casing of which only has ventilation holes. The battery casing may be made of translucent plastic - in this case, the electrolyte level in its banks can be monitored to obtain indirect information about the proper functioning of the charging system and the current state of the battery. If, during the operation of the vehicle, the battery is replaced for any reason with a conventional one, (serviced type), you should check the electrolyte level in its cans from time to time, for which you need to remove the upper control/filler plugs. You should especially carefully monitor the electrolyte level in the warm season. To adjust the electrolyte level, use only distilled water.

Working fluid of the brake system and clutch drive

The brake fluid reservoir is divided into two chambers, each for its own braking circuit. The threaded cap has a ventilation hole, which must always be open. Transparent walls of the reservoir allow you to easily determine the brake fluid level.

The brake master cylinder (MBC) is mounted on the brake booster servo unit. The reservoir mounted on top of the MBC is used as a reserve in the hydraulic drive lines of both the brake mechanisms and the clutch (see Chapters Clutch and drive shafts and Brake system).

The fluid level inside the master cylinder and clutch reservoirs is clearly visible through the translucent walls of the latter and should be maintained between the MIN and MAX marks.

The fluid level in the master cylinder reservoir is clearly visible through its translucent walls



If it is necessary to adjust the fluid level, carefully wipe the cap of the corresponding reservoir and the area around it with a clean cloth to prevent dirt from getting into the hydraulic system.

When pouring fluid into the reservoir, make sure that it does not splash onto the surrounding painted surfaces of body parts. Add only the fluid of the grade specified in the Specifications to each of the systems - mixing two fluids of different grades is unacceptable and may lead to failure of the corresponding system!

Brake fluid is extremely chemically aggressive - do not allow it to come into contact with your eyes or paint on body panels! Do not add to the system working fluid that has been standing for more than one year or stored in a loosely closed container. Remember that brake fluid is very hygroscopic, i.e. it has the ability to absorb moisture from the air, which can dangerously reduce the efficiency of the brake system!

During the level adjustment stage, the condition of the fluid and the inner walls of the reservoir should also be carefully checked. If dirt deposits, solid foreign particles or water droplets are detected, the system should be emptied and filled with fresh brake fluid (see Chapters Clutch and drive shafts and Brake system).

Once the tank is filled to the required level, place the lid on it tightly.

Remember that the level of the working fluid in the master cylinder reservoir gradually drops as the friction linings of the brake shoes wear down, but this decrease is always very insignificant. If the fluid has to be topped up too often, then there is a leak in the system, the source of which must be identified without delay and the cause eliminated - carefully inspect all brake lines and their nipple connections, including calipers, wheel cylinders and the vacuum booster servo (for more details, see Section Checking the brake system). A drop in the fluid level in the clutch hydraulic drive reservoir indicates the development of leaks in the tract, including the slave cylinder (see Chapter Clutch and drive shafts).

If, during the check of the fluid level in the master cylinders, it is revealed that its reservoir is almost empty, the corresponding system must be completely bled (see Chapter Clutch and drive shafts or Brake system).

Power steering fluid

The power steering fluid reservoir is located in the front of the engine compartment, behind the left headlight.

The tank lid is equipped with a built-in measuring probe. The checking procedure is standard for all measurements using probes.

Checking the level of working fluid in the power steering reservoir



Try not to let the liquid level go beyond the lower limit of the acceptable range.

If necessary, make the appropriate adjustment of the level by adding the required grade of power steering fluid into the reservoir neck.

If the need to adjust the fluid level occurs regularly and frequently, check the steering pump, rack and pinion housing, as well as all connecting lines of the hydraulic system and their fittings for signs of leaks.

Manual transmission oil

There is no need to change the transmission oil. The oil level must be adjusted if a leak is detected in the power unit or after installing the manual transmission. When filling the manual transmission with oil, it may leak out of the inspection hole. To collect the oil, place a suitable container under the manual transmission.

1. Drive the car onto a ramp or inspection pit, or jack it up and place it on supports in a strictly horizontal position. The transmission oil level should be checked before driving, or at least 5 minutes after stopping the engine - the oil should have time to drain into the manual transmission oil pan.

(Material copied from the portal: www.OPELBOOK.ru)

2. Carefully wipe the surface of the gearbox housing around the inspection plug. The plug is located on the left rear of the manual transmission.

Location of the inspection hole plug on the manual transmission

On the 1.6 l engine the plug is located on the left in front of the manual transmission.

3. Make a hook according to the accompanying illustration and insert it into the hole - the oil level should be at least 2 cm from the lower edge of the inspection hole.

Dipstick for checking the transmission oil level in the manual transmission



4. The oil level is adjusted through the hole for installing the reverse lights, or through a special filler hole - unscrew the sensor/plug.

Location of the filler hole on the manual transmission



5. Continue pouring oil until it starts to flow out of the edge of the inspection hole, allow the excess to drain, then plug the inspection hole with a plug and tighten the latter to the required force.

Do not pour too much oil at once. Oil has a certain viscosity and it takes some time for it to flow down.

6. Replace the switch or filler plug and tighten it to the specified torque.

ATF

When performing the procedures described below, ensure cleanliness is maintained.

Correct ATF level is one of the critical operating parameters of models equipped with AT. Excessive drop in ATF level can lead to slippage of the rotation converter, while excessive amount of fluid leads to its foaming, formation of leaks and is fraught with failure of the transmission.

The ATF level should be checked with the transmission warmed up to normal operating temperature (15÷20 km mileage, 72÷80 degrees.).

Do not check the ATF level immediately after driving the vehicle at high speeds, in hot urban conditions, or after towing a trailer - allow the fluid to cool for about 30 minutes first!

1. Park the car on a flat, horizontal surface with a hard surface, firmly set the parking brake. If the engine is cold, start it and warm it up to normal operating temperature at idle speed. With the engine running, depress the brake pedal and move the AT selector lever through all positions in turn, finally returning it to the "P" position.

2. Without turning off the engine, so that the torque converter is filled with transmission fluid, remove the dipstick from the guide tube. Use your fingers to remove traces of ATF from the dipstick blade and assess its condition by touch. The check can be performed on both a cold and a warm engine. Since the ATF level depends on the engine temperature, the dipstick has two scales. The scale on one side is designed to check the ATF level at a temperature of 80 degrees, and on the other side - at a temperature of 20 degrees.

The ATF dipstick is placed in the space between the battery and the engine



3. When the AT has cooled down (ambient temperature below 35 degrees.) the check should be completed within a minute of starting the engine. Wipe the blade thoroughly with a clean cloth and insert the dipstick back into the guide tube, firmly fitting the cap onto the neck.

4. Remove the dipstick from the filler neck again and determine the ATF level in the transmission housing by the length of the wetted section of the blade. If necessary, make the appropriate adjustment by adding the required grade of transmission fluid through the funnel - pour ATF directly into the filler neck of the dipstick guide tube.

MIN and MAX marks on the feeler gauge blade

The difference between the "MIN" and "MAX" marks on the "cold" side of the dipstick is 0.35 l, and on the "hot" side - 0.2 l.

Add ATF in small portions in several steps, checking the level each time. Do not overfill the oil, as its excess may cause problems in the operation of the AT. Excess oil should be drained or pumped out. Press the brake pedal and slowly move the selector lever to all positions sequentially. Then check the ATF level again.

All approved ATFs can be mixed with each other. Do not use any additives.

At the same time as the level, the condition of the ATF should also be checked. If the fluid wetting the end of the dipstick blade has a dark reddish-brown tint or smells of burning, the ATF should be replaced (see Chapter Automatic 4-speed transmission). If you are not sure that the condition of the transmission fluid is correct, compare it by color and smell with fresh ATF.

Do not start the engine or tow the vehicle without ATF in the torque converter and AT.