Engine coolant

Help please!

Just replaced my water pump and at the same time replaced the coolant ready for winter. Followed the instructions in the Defender Workshop manual for re-filling the coolant but was only able to put in 8 litres of fluid (water and anti-freeze) instead of the stated 11.5 litres. Have run it up to operating temp and then let it cool down again. No leaks seen. Expansion tank & radiator at correct level. Have noticed that the fluid doesn't come up to the top of the top of thermostat cover. Is that normal? What have I done wrong and any ideas how to rectify please?

unless you remove block drain on lhs you will never empty the block, it does need to over flow thermostat housing bung , park the car up a kerb or use a jack to raise drivers side, expansion bottle isnt the best guide for engine coolant level

Thanks James. There was no mention of a block drain in the instructions to drain the coolant. Where would I find that on a 300Tdi? Should I start again and drain the whole lot with the vehicle jack up on the drivers side?

13mm spanner needed lhs of block just in front of down pipe, half way up

Now I have the block drain out what is the refill sequence please to make sure no air locks?

just ensure it overflows from rad and thermostat housing, you may need to over fill expansion tank to so this ,but any excess will be expelled harmlessly during use

Thanks James. Did all that and still only got 9 litres in. rad & thermostat overflowing and expansion tank 2 thirds full. just run it up to working temp before checking levels. See what heppens then!

The heater matrix does not empty unless you take it out.

Being as you have drained the system twice I think it is reasonable to expect that if any of the original coolant still exists in the system it will be at a very low percentage. Just check everything is bled and you should be fine..

tottot said:

The heater matrix does not empty unless you take it out.

Click to expand...

That would make sense - does it hold about 2.5 Litres?
I ran the vehicle for about 15 mins today and checked levels once it cooled down. All seems to be okay.