Coolant Change

[macdad]

Thinking about changing the Antifreeze..?Anyone done it..?What does it involve...Have to keep topping mine up every 3 to 4 weeks.

[DNS]

Just did mine 2 days ago, when I replaced the radiator.

If you keep having to top up, make sure you find out what the problem is before you spend money on new coolant.

Mine was leaking from a corroded section on the left hand side of the radiator, which I understand to be a common problem. Also, lots of people have said that the expansion bottle cap hasn't been fitting properly so caused coolant loss.

Run the engine for a while so it gets nice and hot, then look around carefully under the bonnet, preferably when it's freezing cold outside. You might see puffs of steam from the leaking spot. Also check for crystalline deposits where the coolant might have leaked and evaporated.

Post back with what you find and I'll see if I can tell what you need to do

[macdad]

Cheers for reply DNS ,I think my problem lies with the cap itself,warmed the engine up and had a good look round,cant see any steam anywhere and the rad looks ok,the cap did'nt appear to be screwed fully down.
Bought a tester from Halfords and theres one ball sinking ,therefore it needs attention anyway according to the tester,so i'm gonna empty the system and refil.

Question is ..?How do i empty the system.

[n_hudson]

I think you have to bleed it out from the bottom left(?) of the radiator? Then either decide to flush the system or just fill it back up from the expansion bottle.

EDIT - In fact there is a bleeder screw on the LHS bottom hose, simple twist and pull, it doesnt come right out. It just drains out of there.

[macdad]

I think you have to bleed it out from the bottom left(?) of the radiator? Then either decide to flush the system or just fill it back up from the expansion bottle.

?Is that looking from the front of the engine..N

[n_hudson]

Looking at the front of the car to the back. Look at my above post, I've edited it a bit.

[macdad]

[quote=n_hudson;1149400]Looking at the front of the car to the back. Look at my above post, I've edited it a bit.[/quot

Right mate cheers,i'll have a butchers in a minute.

[DNS]

There's a small pipe coming out of the back of the rad, bottom left hand side, which the coolant drains from. It's about an inch or so long and is right behind where the drain screw is.

Make sure you find a bit of tube to fit tightly on to it, and point it into a bucket. I didn't and found the fluid runs straight out the pipe, on to the subframe and all over the floor of the garage!

[i5aces]

thinking of doing this myself could anyone tell me if there is a specific type of coolant to use on a v6 cdti, we get coolant free from work that we use in the landrovers, trucks and tanks would this be ok it my veccy or should i just buy some.

[ed taylor]

thinking of doing this myself could anyone tell me if there is a specific type of coolant to use on a v6 cdti, we get coolant free from work that we use in the landrovers, trucks and tanks would this be ok it my veccy or should i just buy some.

I would recomend you put in the VX longlife Antifreeze. I put that in mine last year. Best to put it (or any antifreeze come to that) at a 50/50 mix with water.
I took the bottom hose off the radiator on mine and let the coolant drain out, then flushed it out several times with a hose pipe.