An idiot asks.......

Disco Moneypit · Jun 28, 2009

Just a quick but stupid question from man idiot with little or no mechanical expertese.

I have removed my rad and intercooler to clean them both of all the mud that was in them. To drain I removed the bottom hose. However, there is still some coolent left in the expansion tank.

To re-fill the system, would it be better if after I have re-connected everything, I filled the radiator seperatley intill it was full, then topped up via the expansion tank.

Also do I loosen off the air bleed cap whilst filling, or only when I have started it up? (the black plastic thing that sits near the thermostat)

Sorry for the stupid questions chaps. I try my best to do what I can on my cars, but I am by no means an expert.

In advance, cheers.

Disco Moneypit · Jun 28, 2009

So out of the 50 people that have viewed this, not one of you knows the answer or has drained and topped up your coolent before, ever?

robint · Jun 28, 2009

it should bleed its self pretty much dont fink i have ever opened that plastic cap up when i do mine

hughesy · Jun 28, 2009

Disco Moneypit said:
So out of the 50 people that have viewed this, not one of you knows the answer or has drained and topped up your coolent before, ever?

Nope. Never had to.

howardo · Jun 28, 2009

If you are refilling with the same coolant then you can leave what is already in the expansion tank, never mix different coolants.
You will have to slacken the bleed screw when you fill the system to allow the air to escape. I would connect up all the hoses and fill from the expansion tank. When the system is full it will flood out of the bleed screw.
Fill to appropriate mark on expansion tank. Go for a drive to recirculate coolant around engine, and top up.

Disco Moneypit · Jun 28, 2009

howardo said:
If you are refilling with the same coolant then you can leave what is already in the expansion tank, never mix different coolants.
You will have to slacken the bleed screw when you fill the system to allow the air to escape. I would connect up all the hoses and fill from the expansion tank. When the system is full it will flood out of the bleed screw.
Fill to appropriate mark on expansion tank. Go for a drive to recirculate coolant around engine, and top up.

Nice one. Cheers.

But why is it not wide to mix coolents?

What is, (or was untill last night), in mine was originally put in about 6 months ago, and is the green coloured stuff. What I have now is pink. According to the Haynes book of lies, the Disco takes 11.7 litres of coolent. Surely there cant be too much left in the system? Would even mixing small percentages, say 90/10% be bad, if so why?

Disco Moneypit · Jun 28, 2009

hughesy said:
Nope. Never had to.

So in all the years that you have been driving, you've never had to top your coolent up once? Not even a drop?

The Mad Hat Man · Jun 28, 2009

look in the Qs and As bit - there is a full write-up in there - sometimes diff coolants can react turning to Gel

.

Disco Moneypit · Jun 28, 2009

The Mad Hat Man said:
look in the Qs and As bit - there is a full write-up in there - sometimes diff coolants can react turning to Gel.

Thanks.

Disco Moneypit · Jun 28, 2009

Feck it. I reckon mixing at such low percentages will be ok. (fingers crossed)

howardo · Jun 28, 2009

Not worth the damage it may cause.

hughesy · Jun 28, 2009

Disco Moneypit said:
So in all the years that you have been driving, you've never had to top your coolent up once? Not even a drop?

Of course I have but I've never drained and re filled one since I've been driving Land Rovers.

Disco Moneypit · Jun 28, 2009

howardo said:
Not worth the damage it may cause.

****

gemsdad · Jun 29, 2009

Disco Moneypit said:
****

if you want to,go and have one.

karlo · Jun 29, 2009

Refill in through the plug near the thermostat housing this is supposed to cure any air getting in the system.

The Mad Hat Man · Jun 29, 2009

karlo said:
Refill in through the plug near the thermostat housing this is supposed to cure any air getting in the system.

oh - and replace them ****ty plastic plugs with radiator drain valves, before they break - about £1.50 each and it means yu can bleed the system when hot, if necessary .

Disco Moneypit · Jun 29, 2009

Sorted.

Filled via the expansion tank. it took about 7.5 litres, then I added another litre in the top of the rad. Bleed via the crappy black plastic bolt next to the thermostat.

I took it out for a long run. It got up to temp quite quickly, but it took ages for any warm air to come out of the interior fans, but when it did it was toasty hot.

Before I go out today I will be checking my coolent and oil, (I lost some from the oil cooler), and topping up if needed.

Thanks for the tips guys.

Just one last question. As seen as I have mixed two different types of coolents, what the first sign of trouble to look out for?

howardo · Jun 29, 2009

you system could overheat due to poor circulation of coolant due to blockages caused by gelling of coolant.

The Mad Hat Man · Jun 29, 2009

howardo said:
you system could overheat due to poor circulation of coolant due to blockages caused by gelling of coolant.

I refer the honourable gentleman to the answer I gave previously (post#8)

Disco Moneypit said:
Bleed via the crappy black plastic bolt next to the thermostat.

I refer the honourable gentleman to the other answer I gave previously (post#16)

mad mechanic · Jun 29, 2009

if you had a good quality coolant in it before ya started then filled again with good quality coolant dont panic its if you mix the netto crap stuff with good coolant you will have problems, the old methanol coolant dont like glycol so it turns to gel...but tbh i have not seen any of the cheap methanol stuff for ages now , not even sure ya can still get it..dont panic mate it should be ok..

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