[The Godfrog]

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?

 

[jamesmartin]

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

 

[The Godfrog]

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?

 

[jamesmartin]

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

 

[The Godfrog]

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

 

[jamesmartin]

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

 

[The Godfrog]

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!

 

[tottot]

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

 

[Kwakerman]

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..

 

[The Godfrog]

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

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.