7 replies to this topic

[JonnyAlpha]

Hi,

 

My recently rebuilt engine in my Mini is a 1275 A+ Block pulled from a 1989 Metro.

I have fitted a Fletcher Alloy radiator which has a drain plug on the bottom. I want to completely drain and then flush the coolant.

I have asked about flushing before and had various methods offered, but I never managed to find out how to completely drain the coolant.

 

I have recently had a problem with water in my oil and have taken the head off, hopefully sorted the problem and have just re-assembled the head with a new gasket. Even though I have drained the coolant from the radiator, there is still coolant (water and water wetter), in the block.

 

I have read a post here about a drain plug on the rear of the block, sadly this A+ block does not have the mentioned plug. Had I know this I may have drilled and tapped one in (if that would have been possible) as it would no be really handy.

 

Here's my block, you can see the protrusion where the drain plug would have been:

 

 

Any other thoughts on draining the block with the engine in the car? Or is it (as I think) impossible.

 

 

[nicklouse]

You can’t remove all the water.

 

you can get most out if you remove the water pump.

[JonnyAlpha]

You can’t remove all the water.

 

you can get most out if you remove the water pump.

 

OK, don't really want to go to that length It was just that I wanted it all out so I could run it up warm without any coolant in it to ned the gasket in without the possibility of any coolant causing a problem, like you would on a new build. 

[Steam]

Use a turkey baster to suck all but the last drops out.

[KTS]

 

You can’t remove all the water.

 

you can get most out if you remove the water pump.

 

OK, don't really want to go to that length It was just that I wanted it all out so I could run it up warm without any coolant in it to ned the gasket in without the possibility of any coolant causing a problem, like you would on a new build. 

 

 

the small amount of water left at the bottom of the block won't affect the bedding in of the gasket

[coopertaz]

if you have a drain plug on rad then fill system with plain water and rad flush. remove thermostat and and have heater valve set to hot, run up till warm, not hot to avoid scalding yourself, drain and repeat again. then fill with coolant mix. you can always run a hose through heater pipes with them disconnected from engine and do same with hose through block but rinsing twice as above usually enough. when did it become the norm. to bed in head gasket with no coolant! never done this and just rechecked torque after a week or so driving and been fine. or have i just been lucky all these years?!!

[bpirie1000]

Would depends how long the block has been separated also water will condensate away..

I would say just go for it.. in a non pressured system the water will not effect things enough to cause issues...

I also just do head gasket then fill it with water as it should be..... just what I was shown to do back when I was a young lad... always done it.. does not make it right though...

[slidehammer]

If you have had water in the oil, I would flush the radiator, heater matrix and block as best you can by removing hoses and putting a hose pipe down them.

Once you are happy the water is running clean, just remove the bottom hose and let any water out that way. As mentioned above the block doesn't need to completely dry of water to break in a head gasket. Then once done fill up with your preferred coolant. Good luck