13 replies to this topic

[Tumbleweed-Connection]

Hi all,

 

I recently took the opportunity to drain my cooling system at the same time as resolving the age old problem of the heater running cold. Now though, I've noticed a small leak on the radiator. I knew there was a leak somewhere before I did the whole heater exercise, but at that time, I actually thought it was oil rather than coolant.

 

I guess a replacement radiator is in order as a long term solution rather than trying radweld etc, in which case I assume most of you would say that I need to drain everything all over again. Before we come to that conclusion though - is there any way for me to not to have to go out and buy yet another load of coolant? I even had issues directly after the coolant replacement with air locks reappearing in the heater outlet, so again this would be another reason to try and avoid doing the whole exercise again.

 

I thought about trying to crimp/clamp the bottom and top radiator hoses before I took them off, much as you might do for smaller fluid lines, but I don't know how well this would work given the diameter of the pipes. I could bung them, I suppose, but what could I use that was the right size?

 

Thanks

 

Jacob

Edited by Tumbleweed-Connection, 24 April 2015 - 08:57 AM.

[cal844]

You still need to drain the system, its impossible without draining :)

[Gerbil367]

I have an RAC 'bung' that I think was meant to be a temporary sump plug as it is conical and made from flexible poly material like those used in bushes.  Not sure where you can buy them tho (I rather aquired mine by accident).  Still reckon you will have a lot of fluid loss when you remove the bottom hose anyway as you wont be able to bung both radiator and hose simultaneously!   I bought one of those garden flexible bucket things and caught the coolant in there when I changed my bottom hose -  then you could use it again?

[Tumbleweed-Connection]

Suppose you're right - I could just remove the bottom hose and collect it all. I know I'm going to lose a bit whatever I do, but I've got enough for a little top up anyway - just not enough to fill her up all over again. Would the heater inlet and outlet pipes drain through gravity? That's the only pain I'm bothered about. I guess only the matrix itself is lower down, so they would. Any air is going to get pushed around the system anyway.

 

Just worried about more air locks as they're just a pain to get rid of. Ended up with the whole outlet for the heater coming off last time I tried to gingerly bleed it and the whole lot came spurting out (mainly down my arm - nice and boiling hot). That's part of the reason why I don't have enough coolant left to do the whole thing twice, as I sort of already have! Makes me sound like a right dummy.

[Spider]

Around half the coolant is in the radiator, which you'll loose, though, if the Radiator has a Drain Plug, it maybe possible to Catch the coolant and refill the system with that, though you will loose some.

[Tumbleweed-Connection]

Around half the coolant is in the radiator, which you'll loose, though, if the Radiator has a Drain Plug, it maybe possible to Catch the coolant and refill the system with that, though you will loose some.

 

It's an MPI front mounted rad so I don't think it does.

[Dusky]

4 litres of coolant is only 8 euros here, wouldnt risk contaminated coolant for the sake of 5£?

[Tumbleweed-Connection]

4 litres of coolant is only 8 euros here, wouldnt risk contaminated coolant for the sake of 5£?

 

Lucky old Belgium. 2L of coolant cost me £16. It's not that I'm short of cash or anything - I just thought if there was a way to not have to waste what I just put in two weeks ago, then I should perhaps try. Then there's the whole thing about disposing of the old stuff properly.

[gazza82]

2 litre of blue concentrate is about £11 in Halfrauds, another few quid for a 5 litre bottle of distilled water and even at 50/50 mix you get 4 litres ...

[Spider]

 

Around half the coolant is in the radiator, which you'll loose, though, if the Radiator has a Drain Plug, it maybe possible to Catch the coolant and refill the system with that, though you will loose some.

 

It's an MPI front mounted rad so I don't think it does.

 

 

Bummer, but maybe not. Isn't there a temp sender in the lower radiator tank?  I'm not sure, just asking, if there is, then that could be removed and drained / caught from there or else undo the lower radiator hose and try the same from there.

 

As the coolant will likely be running over the subframe in to your catch pan, make sure the flow path is clean. Also, have a good long look at the coolant captured before re-filling with it to be sure it is clean.

[sledgehammer]

I have in the past used a wet vac (use at your own risk & use lowest speed)

 

was surprised how much it got out

 

I put the vacuum pipe on the heater pipe on bottom hose - other end open to air

 

if reusing - let it settle , you will be surprised how much muck drops to the bottom

 

good antifreeze is £xpensive at the moment

 

also when handling antifreeze near paintwork , have a wet clean rag handy - in case antifreeze gets on paint

Edited by sledgehammer, 24 April 2015 - 10:01 PM.

[Cerberus]

What we do is collect the coolant in a big tray, then pour it into old coolant bottles/milk bottles, leave it for a bit. usually ends up being a few days for whatever work it being done, then once you pour the coolant back in, don't pour the whole bottle in, as all the bits of rubbish in it will have all settled to the bottom.

[lawrence]

I do the same as Cerberus, drain into an old coolent bottle, leave to settle and then reuse as much as I can without adding all the silty mess back in!

[peter-b]

Just strain it through cloth in funnel.