11 replies to this topic

[deanymini]

just had a quick look in my radiator and noticed a fair amount of brown crud floating on the top. im guessing that this is oil. anyone have any idea why this is happening? bad idea to drive it?

[Mini Mad Rich]

That should be rust or something silmar, I'v got it on my system and not sure how to get it out.
I think its the sign of not enough anti-freeze

Rich

[deanymini]

oh yeah, didnt think of that! i fitted a 2 core about two weeks ago but didnt have any anti freeze at hand so just put water in it

[Ollie180]

I had the same its rust

i took the rad out then started and ran the engine, held e hose to the head whitch flushed it through for about 5mins and did the same with the rad now i have nice clean water

Edited by Ollie180, 19 July 2006 - 06:26 PM.

[deanymini]

to flush it cant you just let it drain from the bottom hose without the engine running? and then fill it back up?

surely you didnt run your engine without a rad for 5 mins!?

[Ollie180]

thats not really flushing it tho

i ran my engine without the rad and had the hose to the head so then only clean water was going through it and otu bottom hose

Edited by Ollie180, 19 July 2006 - 07:19 PM.

[1984mini25]

You need to pump it trough, as draining it alone will not remove all of it, some will stay inside the block.
The rad is easy to do just turn it upside down and sick a hose pipe in were the bottom hose fits till you get clean water out the other end.
Then turn up the right way and repeat.

Once you have flushed the system trough top up with a 50/50 mix of antifreeze and water

Easiest way and to stop all the guess work of how much of what is in there, is to pre mix it in a 2 litter drinks bottle 1 litter of antifreeze and one litter of water.

Just don't use the bottle for any drinks afterwards and any you have left over can be stored somewhere safe for when, if you ever need to top it up.

Once the cooling system is full run the engine with the Heater in the on position and radiator / expansion cap left off for 20min to allow any air in the system to escape, top up if necessary

you should Do this every 2 years as not only does antifreeze stops your coolant from freezing in cold weather
But it also raises the boiling point of the coolant, which helps stop over heating in the summer
Helps to prevent corrosion in the system that could block the water ways causing overheating probs
And lastly lubricates the inner workings, water pump etc

Edited by 1984mini25, 19 July 2006 - 09:26 PM.

[Ollie180]

You need to pump it trough, as draining it alone will not remove all of it,

thats word i was looking for thanks for clearing it up lol

[deanymini]

if i run the car for 20 minutes wont the water start coming out of the top when the cap is off?

[Ollie180]

if i run the car for 20 minutes wont the water start coming out of the top when the cap is off?

what?????

[1984mini25]

Only if you drive it with the cap off.

[deanymini]

1984mini25 said to leave the cap off to let the air escape. anyway, ive flushed the system through this morning and hopefully that'll do the trick (i doubt it)

my clutch has started slipping tho now. one problemo after another it seems