Coolant level

Hi guys

Just changed the coolant on my 1989 19J 90 CSW, Haynes states over 11 litres but i only got in 7? I didnt unplug the cylinder plug but had the heater set to max, flushed the radiator and did a back flush up the hose, does this seem right? I have installed a new radiator 12 months ago and dont recall the low level of coolant then?

Any advice greatly appreciated.

Cheers

Alan

You most likely have an air bubble in the system and it needs to be burped. It usually occurs in the heater lines.

Open the top rad plug,

Blow in through the expansion tank,

Everytime it releases air add more coolant,

Only way I know of to get it out, not the healthiest though

What about the drain plug on the engine block? Surely you need to open that to drain the system. It's lower than the water pump. That's what I did anyway.

I just filled the rad up very slowly so not to get any air in once the rad was full re-fitted the plug then topped the header tank up to the level run the car round for a bit then left it over night then re-checked the level and top up if needed never had a problem

sp00k said:

What about the drain plug on the engine block? Surely you need to open that to drain the system. It's lower than the water pump. That's what I did anyway.

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I looked at loads of old posts on this and most said dont bother with the engine block? Concerned that there isnt enough coolant in. Whats the best method to ensure there is?

sharpe said:

I looked at loads of old posts on this and most said dont bother with the engine block? Concerned that there isnt enough coolant in. Whats the best method to ensure there is?

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its best to,on pre tdi just fill up tank and squeeze top hose

sharpe said:

I looked at loads of old posts on this and most said dont bother with the engine block? Concerned that there isnt enough coolant in. Whats the best method to ensure there is?

Click to expand...

The nack is not to fill the rad to quick as you will get air in it I use a small funnel and just fill it up very slowly then once its full re-fit the plug then top up the header tank, in my case I ran the landy up the road for a bit then left it over night to cool down then in the morning I just re-checked the header tank level and just topped it up 1/2 a milk bottle I think been ok since that was a month ago now

I filled it VERY slowly in the rad, and squeezed the hose until only fluid was popping into the header unit. Is 7 litres right? (with what was left in the engine block?)