Everybody got their Antifreeze done/checked?

**puppet** · 28th October 2012, 11:27

Well, after the sub-zero temps on Friday night, I decided it was nigh on time to make sure the anti-freeze in the Vec was up to scratch. It'll be the first winter I've owned this one, so decided to just drain and replace it rather than have it checked. Took about 30 minutes to do, and only cost about £13 from Eurocarparts for the 5 year red antifreeze, and I now have peace of mind for the winter. I like satisying wee jobs like that!

Everybody else got theirs done or checked?

**tony-1977** · 28th October 2012, 11:42

Coolant changed a couple of weeks ago with timing belt, water pump, and thermostat

**puppet** · 28th October 2012, 11:45

Sounds ideal Tony, I would have liked to have done similar. However, with Crimbo suddenly on the horizon, that'll be a job for the New Year I think!

**Corey** · 28th October 2012, 12:22

Done mine last week. Replaced it with the comma 5 year long life stuff. Looks nice and pink. The stuff that came out of it was very dirty looking. Iv a feeling we are all in for a harsh winter this year. Tell me this did you find it an easy enough job? Mine got air locked when putting the new stuff it was a nightmare took me around an hour to do. What process did you use?

**vectra ste** · 28th October 2012, 12:35

yes ive done mine thanks ive topped it up i went to the dealers and bought the longlife it goes down to -38 gm number 93170402 this is a 1l bottle nice and pink like above

**puppet** · 28th October 2012, 12:38

Originally Posted by Corey

Done mine last week. Replaced it with the comma 5 year long life stuff. Looks nice and pink. The stuff that came out of it was very dirty looking. Iv a feeling we are all in for a harsh winter this year. Tell me this did you find it an easy enough job? Mine got air locked when putting the new stuff it was a nightmare took me around an hour to do. What process did you use?

i just drained the old coolant off using the drain tap at the bottom of the radiator, then filled up again with the new mix. I read the Haynes manual, and that recommended taking off one of the heater matrix hoses on the bulkhead when doing so, presumably to help avoid airlocks. I'm not a fan of disturbing the likes unless I need to, so I just topped it up, set the heater onto warm, and ran it up to temperature until the thermostat opened and let it circulate round the system. Then just topped up the header tank again. Took a little while for the heater to start blowing warm, but no great issues thankfully.

**Corey** · 28th October 2012, 12:40

Done the same myself mate i dont know why mine got so air locked lol but its done now and everything is fine so happy enough lol what engine is in yours?

**puppet** · 28th October 2012, 12:55

1.8VVT SRi. Perhaps you were just unlucky this time, at least it's done though.

**DTi Elite** · 28th October 2012, 12:57

did mine when I first bought my dti ( it had red in but looked weak ) , took the pipes off the top of the header tank & ran it til it emptied a couple of litres out , then topped up with neat red , plenty in there now.