Series 2 Flushing and changing coolant

Hi All,

My series has only got water in it at present. So went out and bought some coolant a little while back.
Just want to confirm the process step by step.

Remove drain plug from rad

Remove plug from engine block

let drain

put both plugs back in

fill with water

run for a few mins

let it cool

drain rad again (but not block?)

fill with coolant/water mix

anything I’m missing?

cheers

Trench Rat said:

drain rad again (but not block?)

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Surely that would dilute your % of anti freeze
If you only drained rad and not the block would that also keep water in the heater matrix? That adds up to a fair percentage of the system.

Have you got a little anti freeze concentration tester then it really wouldn't matter

J

marjon said:

Surely that would dilute your % of anti freeze
If you only drained rad and not the block would that also keep water in the heater matrix? That adds up to a fair percentage of the system.

Have you got a little anti freeze concentration tester then it really wouldn't matter

J

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No I haven’t. This is why I ask lol.

okay so

drain both rad and block

plug

refill

Run

drain both rad and block again

add coolant/water mix

?

Sounds like the way to go. Drain as much as possible. Premix whatever you put in and then the last top up make a little stronger. the little Hydrometers are cheap .

Always keep a strong mix in the car for emergency. cos you never know

J

marjon said:

Sounds like the way to go. Drain as much as possible. Premix whatever you put in and then the last top up make a little stronger. the little Hydrometers are cheap .

Always keep a strong mix in the car for emergency. cos you never know

J

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Thank you! Only container I have to mix in us a 1.5 litre cleaned Pepsi bottle. So I’ll be doing a fair few loads I reckon

was going to do 33% coolant. Rest water.

Trench Rat said:

Thank you! Only container I have to mix in us a 1.5 litre cleaned Pepsi bottle. So I’ll be doing a fair few loads I reckon

was going to do 33% coolant. Rest water.

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Haven't you got a bucket ?

We go a little bit higher than that here and that reminds me to check our fleet .

You must have something bigger than that surely I always keep some empty 5l containers (screen wash) as they have a great pouring nozzle well they do here

J

marjon said:

We go a little bit higher than that here and that reminds me to check our fleet .

You must have something bigger than that surely I always keep some empty 5l containers (screen wash) as they have a great pouring nozzle well they do here

J

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I blame the EU ...

Got a bucket. I suppose I could fashion a funnel from a bottle. Don’t want to use my fuel funnel.

This thing Is a right bloody pig! Waiting on the wd40 to hopefully help

what concentration do you reckon then? I’ve 2 litres of the green. Saw advice against going as high as 50/50. Not that I have that much anyway

Trench Rat said:

Got a bucket. I suppose I could fashion a funnel from a bottle. Don’t want to use my fuel funnel.

This thingView attachment 223177Is a right bloody pig! Waiting on the wd40 to hopefully help

what concentration do you reckon then? I’ve 2 litres of the green. Saw advice against going as high as 50/50. Not that I have that much anyway

Click to expand...

Get a plastic milk bottle, cut the bottom 1/4 off = funnel ...

Trench Rat said:

Got a bucket. I suppose I could fashion a funnel from a bottle. Don’t want to use my fuel funnel.

This thingView attachment 223177Is a right bloody pig! Waiting on the wd40 to hopefully help

what concentration do you reckon then? I’ve 2 litres of the green. Saw advice against going as high as 50/50. Not that I have that much anyway

Click to expand...

I think that's a 13mm nut at the back ... @jamesmartin will tell you rightly ...

Dippypud said:

I think that's a 13mm nut at the back ... @jamesmartin will tell you rightly ...

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I figured I was to turn the winged bit not the nut?

Definitely too tight to do by hand that’s for sure.

It’s dark now anyway and I have to cook some dinner for everyone.
Thanks for the help. I’ll have to tackle the rest Wednesday when I finish work.

Trench Rat said:

Got a bucket. I suppose I could fashion a funnel from a bottle. Don’t want to use my fuel funnel.

This thingView attachment 223177Is a right bloody pig! Waiting on the wd40 to hopefully help

what concentration do you reckon then? I’ve 2 litres of the green. Saw advice against going as high as 50/50. Not that I have that much anyway

Click to expand...

25%

We only go higher because of our location .

if you don’t want to touch that drain wing, must admit it looks a bit fragile. Then just flush clean from rad. Buy a cheap Hydrometer.
The full system quantity must be known (somewhere) do your sums then put in the amount of antifreeze in needed then top up with water.

If JM recommends 25% then go with that it’s an easy number to work with to

J

Dippypud said:

I blame the EU ...

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For what the temperature here or the fact I have great 5L containers with nice spout

J

marjon said:

We only go higher because of our location .

if you don’t want to touch that drain wing, must admit it looks a bit fragile. Then just flush clean from rad. Buy a cheap Hydrometer.
The full system quantity must be known (somewhere) do your sums then put in the amount of antifreeze in needed then top up with water.

If JM recommends 25% then go with that it’s an easy number to work with to

J

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Righto. Thanks.

I’ll do that when I can. The bloody thing may look fragile but it’s on damn tight. Won’t shift at all. I’ll just do it all from the rad and check I haven’t damaged anything anywhere when I get a chance.
Cheers

marjon said:

For what the temperature here or the fact I have great 5L containers with nice spout

J

Click to expand...

yes

Dippypud said:

yes

Click to expand...

J