Markus

As you may know, the old girl split a rad hose and was pishing coolant everywhere. I've semi repaired it, but temps have been WAAAAAY up and thus I'm not running the car until I have the new hose.

I'm a complete idiot when it comes to this stuff, so can someone tell me what I need to use to top up the radiator. Obviously water, but what type of antifreeze? Plus I cannot see any kind of level inidcator on the little tank near the radiator (the one with the rad cap on it) One assumes this is the only place you top things up?

so, where do I top it up?

To what level?

What do I use and where can I get it from (Halfords I hope!)

How much do I use?

The new pipe should turn up soon, and I'll be fitting it, so will prop need to top things up.

I seriously do not want to **** the engine up, hence the silly sounding questions.

Jolly Green Monster 2

Markus,

Well as to topping up you should be fine with just water this
time of year as it is not very cold and you should have sufficent
antifreeze in the system already for summer use.

I would imagine the antifreeze sold in Halfords should be fine
although my old Toyota I used to be told to use Toyota coolant
only but never had a problem with Halfords or similar stuff.


If you system has not been flushed and new coolant fitted since it
was imported then it would be a good idea to drain and flush it
and refill with new anti-freeze and water ready for winter, which
will soon be upon us the rate things are currently going.


As to filling I am not sure without looking, mine has always been
okay come winter and I have done a coolant check (little plunger
thing that sucks up some coolant and says what minus value the
coolant will stay liquid too). There is the small see through
plastic pipe on the right behind the headlight but I think that is
just a small overflow and the filler is on the lefthand side front
of the engine top.. there is a picture of one in another thread
black box with a cap on top I believe you fill it here.

I shall try and find the picture...

Found it :



Your will be slightly different as this is off the newer cars but
it looks very similar. Trying to upload a picture of my engine
which should look similar to yours...

Here we go :



Hope I have been of some help and that anyone can correct me if I
am wrong as I haven't had to do it on my Scooby yet.

Also a rule of thumb being that if the temperature gauge is not at
normal temp then turn it off.. also don't pour cold water into a
hot engine.. make sure it is cold first. Or in a rush then pour
hot water in but wouldn't recommend it. Temperature change can
warp things.

Thats about all I know on the subject

JGM

Edited because it all went Pete Tong...


[Edited by Jolly Green Monster 2 - 8/14/2002 1:12:00 PM]

Jaay

I cant remember the exact name but Ive heard its the best coolant to use: Its either Bluecol or Gluecol, its around £12 for 5 Litres.

caz1562

As for filling level of coolant - The expansion tank (pictured above) should be full. As you open your bonnet on the right hand side, next to headlight is another bottle. There are marks on this.

With the engine off, remove radiator cap on expansion tank and fill to top. Start car then refill expansion bottle, once you overflow, place cap on, then fill the plastic bottle on the right up to the H mark. Monitor for the next few days and that should be you until you require to fill up with antifreeze in winter.