Richard Curtis

Just done a marathon session on the car today (Changed headers, up-pipe, turbo, and fuel reg)

Just started to run the engine when it was getting dark, fixed the only problem of a coolant leak but there's still a few air locks in the coolant system with the radiator staying cold.

Whats the best way to purge the system?

Cheers

Rich

caz1562

The way I've done it.........

Derek's DIY guide to bleeding the cooling water system :-

The capacity is around 7 litres. From a drained system begin to fill via the water expansion tank (situated on left of engine when looked at from the front). You need to slowly fill allowing the air to expell from the same point. To help do this you can squeeze the bottom radiator hose( bottom right of engine) to help the water fill. Continue doing so until no more water is required to fill the tank. I normally get someone to start the car and I'd stand with water jug ready to top up as soon as the circulation starts. You can gently rev the engine using the throttle butterfly in middle of engine and top up at the same time, as soon as no more water can be added continue to hold the rev's and re-fit the metal cap THEN ease off the throttle. That should be the system topped up. To earn on the side of caution, monitor level over the next 2-3 journey's.

Some people may also remove the top radiator hose & fill using a hose until over-fill, replace hose THEN continue to fill via the expansion tank.

As I mention above, doing it this way does ensure that the entrapped air is removed, and it's worked every time I've done this task.

Enjoy.

Richard Curtis

Thanks caz - will try out tomorrow.

Cheers

Rich

Father Xmas

Basically.
1. Make sure car is COLD... Not hot like mine ;p
2. Take off radiator cap and make sure it is in good nick. There's a small flappy that bit you have to check.
3. Undo tap at bottom and drain coolant into a suitably sized container.
4. When empty, close tap.
5. Refill with new coolant.
6. Start engine and put Heater on Low.
7. Get some water/coolant ready.
8. As the coolant recirculates, bubbles with appear. Top up with water.
9. Wait for ages for it to heat up and for the thermostat to open and the radiator fans to turn on...
10. Waiting....
11. Waiting....
12. Get ready....
13. Fans will come on and will immediately suck awhole heap of coolant thru the system.
14. Keep pouring water/coolant in until it's full.
15. thruout the whole topping up business, keep squeezing the top radiator
pipe to get rid of any air pockets.
16. Then replace radiator cap.
17. Wash away any overspill coolant.
18. Almost finished...
19 Next morning when the engine is cold. Remove radiator cap and check level, it should a little bit of topping up.
20. Then I just topped up the overflow bottle.
21. Finished.

Richard Curtis

Now sorted out - thanks for replies,

squeezing the radiator hose done the trick.

Cheers

Rich