17 replies to this topic

[leonie]

Sorry for whats probably a stoopid question !!!

Is there an easy way to drain the water out of the system so i can get antifreeze into the car ?????
I keep looking down the back of the radiator at the bottom hose and can`t see how i`m going to be able to get it undone and done back up again in that tiny space. Just wondered if there were any little tricks to make this job easier ?????

[nev_payne]

just remove the radiator! Easiest hting I've found:

- Unbolt top bracket and disconnect top rad hose
- Unscrew and drain top engine section by removing top water pump hose (vague description i know).
- Remove the hinge bolt at the very bottom of the radiator.
- Lift rad up and out of the engine day, then remove bottom hose.

[Big_Adam]

Right, few ways to do it.

1) Undo the top of the bottom hose (the bit thats on the water pump) and the top hose. Then undo the rad mounts (4 bolts, 2 on each side) then squeese the bottom house around the fan shrouding. Then pull the rad out.

2) Long ass screwdrive and undo the bottom spring clip, I personal had to compeltly destoy the bottom spring clip to get it off using wire cutters.

3) If all else fails cut the bottom hose off then remove the rad. Only do this if you REALLY have to.

[Bungle]

small child/girl friend/wife + long screw driver

big manly hand don't fit

[leonie]

But i am only a puny girly and i still can`t see how my hand will fit !!!!!
I think i`ll go for taking the whole rad out as hubby picked a brand new one up at a boot fair and that`ll give me an excuse to arf inch it !!!!!!!!!!!

[fikus01]

however you do it you are going to get filthy and wet and theres no pun intended there, the back of the engine bay isnt very clean if your going for the bottom hose and try drining out the water without getting wet!!

depending on the age of yor mini if u have a thermoststic switch on the front for controllign the electric an in the wing!! rtemoving this can help drain the water slowly!!

[miniboo]

also dont 998's have a drain plug at the back of the engine? sure i read that in the HBOL

[fikus01]

yes A+ ones do but they are nearly all blocked up!!!!!

[DannyTip]

When i did mine i used a 7mm socket and a long extension to undo the bottom clip.

[Mini Man Dan]

yes A+ ones do but they are nearly all blocked up!!!!!

Where abouts is in located

I know its the back of the engine but where abouts

Edited by Mini Man Dan, 15 December 2006 - 10:52 PM.

[77LeylandMini]

If you want to remove enough water just to add antifreeze take the upper hose off of the radiator, slacken the clamp on the thermostat housing, rotate the hose pointing down, insert a bucket, start car, and POOF! you pump the water out!!!!
Ryan

[Protarmic]

I took the in pipe off the heater and drained it into a bucket. Dunno if this is the best way but it was certainly easier!

[fikus01]

thought of suggesting that but it could cause problems to a first timer and it can give your carpet an unwanted wash!!

[MRclubman1100cc]

hehehehe i feel sorri for all u people that have to take the radiator out to drain it.. i have a drain plug in the bottom of the radiator so it makes life so easy

[mk=john]

Yeah
I was wandering why take the rad out to replenish the coolant! On my Mk1 I also have a neat little drain plug at thr front end of the rad. I did mine last week, flushed it out also, and also flushed through the heater hose/matrix. Why on earth are some rads then not with a drain plug?

That has come as a shock that u would have to remove a hose to drain the rad! But if u have to remove the lower hose, might as well flush/reverse flush the system, check the thermostat in a pan of hot water etc etc etc. Perhaps also check the heater valve etc.

John