Draining Coolant - Only 3 Litres Came Out ?

[markie]

Decided to change the coolant,as its never been done in over 5 years.

 

Have disconnected the bottom pipe on the radiator, but just under 3 litres came came out.

 

I think that there is meant to be 9.2 litres, so how do you go about getting the remaining coolant out?

 

Do you have to undo any more hoses anywhere?

 

Thanks...

[big blue]

Have a look under the car - pasenger side - and you should see 2 aliminimum pipes about 20mm dia these are for the rear heater follow them to the rear of the car untill you get to the aux heater, where they connect to a rubber hose - take this off - it should drain the Aux heater + rear matrix and some/most of the engine.

 

Big Blue.

[markie]

Hi,

 

Thanks for that...did the job this morning..about another 4 litres came out..

[markie]

Have taken the car out for a couple of rides this afternoon - and have noticed the top up vessel seems to empty below the minimum mark, meaning I have to top up the antifreeze a litttle bit. Can't see any leaks, though !

 

Is this normal once you have drained / filled the system again until it settles down?

[big blue]

Yes.

 

On mine (MK1 Diesel) a pipe comes out of the top of the engine down to the water pump another goes to the radiator and a third splits to the front and rear heater matrix.

 

Its the front and rear heaters where all the coolent hides and if you drain it, this is where you get the airlocks.

The best way of shifting the airlocks i have found so far is to go for a quick drive.

When i did mine 2 weeks ago, i filled it, had the car ticking over for 15 mins and the header tank was full to the brim. Took the car round the block (only 600 yards) and the header tank was empty - it took another 2 liters.

 

Keep you eye on it and keep filling it thats what i did.

 

Good luck.

 

Big Blue.

[markie]

Thanks again, put my mind at ease a bit now, as was wondering whether I had a leak, although I couldn't see one !