Where do i put the engine coolant into in my 2002 hyundai elantra

For one the tech should pressure test the cooling system to see if it holds the "rated pressure" on the radiator cap (somewhere around 12-15 psi). If you have a leak it will loose pressure. A bad head gasket can do one of two things, (1) cylinder compression can push the coolant out of the radiator and it "should" go back into the reservoir and over fill it...but...there could be a leak in the hose that goes from radiator to the reservoir, thereby pushing it out on the ground while you are driving down the road. There may not be enough pressure to observe this at idle. (2) The coolant could be getting "sucked" into a cylinder and getting burnt up and sent out the exhaust, eventually plugging up your catylatic converter, which inspecting the spark plug tips would show you a brownish color. And at last the coolant could be seeping out of your heater core and getting your carpet wet inside the car. I am not sure where your heater core is located on this vehicle although this can happen.So first thing it to have it pressure tested and maybe you will see it leaking.

The thermostat "seals" the cool coolant giving up (rejecting) heat in the radiator & heater core from the hot coolant absorbing heat in the running engine "block".

When the coolant in the engine reaches a specific temperature (180 ~ 195 degrees) as determined by the value selected by manufacturer or when replaced, it opens and allows the hot coolant in the engine block to be pumped out to the radiatot & heater core for cooling and the cool coolant in the radiator / heater core is pumped into the engine block - replacing the hot coolant. The thermostat senses cool coolant in the engine block and seals shut until the temperature of the coolant in the engine block rises to 180 ~ 195 degrees again. This process continues over and over for as long as needed.

You should check to make sure that the coolant level in the reservoir / radiator is sufficient by checking when cold. Do NOT remove a radiator cap when it is hot! With the cap off, start the engine and add additional coolant as the engine warms up to normal operating temperature. If coolant levels are ok, the trouble could be related to the thermostat or possibly a faulty temperature sending switch. This means that the temperature of the coolant is fine - but the switch or sensor that converts the temperature to a voltage for the gauge on yur dashboard is the problem.

If the temperature is fluctuating up and down, you should have it fixed. Good luck!

Find the radaitor cap, there will be a small hose connected to the radiator neck, follow that hose to the reservoir.

the solenoid that opens the hot water into the coil is not opening

Thermostats is located in the upper radiator hose coming off the engine. This requires a radiator flush too.

The radiator is that flat panel shaped object in the front-most center of the engine compartment. You don't add coolant and water directly into the radiator. On the right side of the engine compartment is a plastic overflow reservoir with a blue cap. That's where the coolant/water mix goes. Run the engine while adding coolant and water. There are fill marks on the reservoir indicating how much coolant/water mix is required. With the engine running, if the radiator is very low on coolant it will repeatedly draw fluid from the reservoir. Continue to add coolant/water mix until the situation stabilizes and the reservoir is filled to the high fill mark.

It is not likely the thermostat, because the thermostat is showing that it is overheating,so it is working, you must have a coolant leak somewhere. You will have to find coolant leak. Car is overheating because it is low on coolant

Should just be the two bolts holding the metal cover on. Follow the top radiator hose if you aren't sure where it is.

Before you do this, make sure you check your coolant level to make sure it isn't just low.

Hope this helps.

If you follow your upper radiator hose the where it goes into the engine, there should be a short neck that is bolted to the engine where the radiator hose is attched. Remove the hose, and remove the neck, it should be right under that.

follow the top radiator hose to the engine and that is where you will find the thermostate housing. drain the coolant completely then pul the housing off. make sure when you put in the new thermostat that you put it in that same way and direction the old one was. clean and dry housing before installing gasket and putting back to gether. refill the cooling system, and run with cap off for 30 min topping of the fluid as needed. run for 15 minutes with cap on making sure to keep an eye on the cars temp gauge. after done drive the car for at least 15 miles let it cool down and ceck the coolant level.

hope this helped
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