Coolant

Jonathan · Post by **Jonathan** » Sun Jul 04, 2004 14:42

HI guys, Where do I need to drain the coolant from to flush the system. Also what does the chamber to the right of the one with the arrow marked coolant hold? Many thanks Jonathan

Mark Ellis · Post by **Mark Ellis** » Sun Jul 04, 2004 14:42

Bottom hose and when the engine is stone cold (overnight cold) fill the chamber with the arrow to the brim without taking the cap off the other one. Squeez the top hose to help getting air locks out.

Jonathan · Post by **Jonathan** » Sun Jul 04, 2004 14:42

Hi Mark, When you say bottom hose is this the one actually going into the radiator?

Mark Ellis · Post by **Mark Ellis** » Sun Jul 04, 2004 14:42

Or the engine but not the top hose because you cant tdain it from there. Its best to take the bonnet off and remove the air intake trunk to get to it all.

chrisw2811 · Post by **chrisw2811** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 13:19

I added new antifreeze (Mobil dayglo pink stuff suitable for aluminium engine components) to my coolant and seem to have produced a murky grey mixture. It doesn't look right and I wonder if the new stuff reacted with the previous contents (origin unknown). I thought I would drain the system and re-fill with suitable antifreeze. Which antifreeze is best? Why doesn't the hole in the curved plate below the rad line up with the drain plug? Do I have to remove the radiator to get at the drain plug (or a lower hose connection) to drain the system? Thanks, Chris

Ozzy_UK · Post by **Ozzy_UK** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 15:22

could you detail how to do this so i can do it when i take delivery of my '88 Excel...

probably the first job im going to do is coolant replacement, and oil replacement, anything else i should do?

anything to watch out for?

i know its got a new fuel pump, new cam belt and new full Stainless exhaust system...

many thanks.

Oz.

dpr59 · Post by **dpr59** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 16:21

Fuel filter would be another one to check, mine was horribly when I finally got round to it.

Ozzy_UK · Post by **Ozzy_UK** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 17:35

cool, was going to do the air filter, fuel filter, oil filter, plugs, and HT Leads once i had some more to spend on her... as well as a full body/engine steam clean, and paint prep and get the wheels professionally refurbed and re-sprayed...

Oz.

chrisw2811 · Post by **chrisw2811** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 17:40

DPR, which antifreeze do you use in your SA? Can you get to the drain plug on the radiator? I like your 'shootout' photo.

dpr59 · Post by **dpr59** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 18:18

Chris,

Mobil. I could get the drain plus out either. Well could get my hand to it would be more exact.

I took the hose off from the header tank and took it as far as I could to the floor.

As a final, I'll get what I can out of you, I ran the engine up for a second or two to pump some out.

From what I put in about a third remained in the system.

Took it upto about 35% antifreeze.

dpr59 · Post by **dpr59** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 20:32

Ozzy,

Get some band aids....

It's a phyical constant of the universe.

Hand in engine bay = bleeding knuckles.

amarshall · Post by **amarshall** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 22:02

Can't remember where I read this (probably "Which Kit") but the word "bleeding" is the most used in anything to do with cars..

e.g.

"I was about to try bleeding the brakes, but the bleeding bleed nipple was stuck so I used a bigger hammer and now my knuckles are bleeding."

Ozzy_UK · Post by **Ozzy_UK** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 23:06

i was fortunate that my best mate bought me some mechanics gloves at the autosport show last year, best present i got in ages!

have saved my knuckles so much im going up there to get another pair from the demon tweaks stand again this year!

can highly recomend them!!! and you can even do up little bolts with them on, dont affect handling items or doing tricky jobs!

Oz.

dpr59 · Post by **dpr59** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 00:12

Ozzy_UK wrote:and you can even do up little bolts with them on,

Oz.

Never been a problem, always drop them when taking them off. Saves so much time on the re-assembly.

Q.... What happens to all those little nuts and bolts you drop that never show up on the garage floor?

83Excel · Post by **83Excel** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 20:20

To get to the drain plug on mine I removed the panel under the radiator. It's only held on by 4 bolts and 2 screws so not difficult. Once removed the drain screw is easily reached from underneath. Assuming of course that the drain is in the same place on the SE models.