32 replies to this topic

[goodeg]

All the pictures have gone on this thread. Has anybody got a PDF version of this guide?

Here.

[Mangham54]

All the pictures have gone on this thread. Has anybody got a PDF version of this guide?

Here.

As a matter of interest are there any particular signs of an airlock in the cooling system?

The only reason I ask is that when having a look at why the rad seemed to be weeping and when feeling at the coolant pipe in and out there was a considerable difference in difficulty to squeeze it. So I started the engine back up (had just warmed it up properly) and the inlet pipe was red hot along with half of the radiator, so I undid the rad bleed screw and no coolant was coming out at first. Tightened it back up and the rest of the rad started to heat up so I opened it again until I felt the hot coolant started to weep out.

Should you be able to visibly see the coolant moving in the header tank, as I can honestly say it never looks like it is doing anything!

Or should I now do the bleed screw in the engine bay for good measure?

[vx220soon]

All the pictures have gone on this thread. Has anybody got a PDF version of this guide?

Here.

Brilliant, thanks for that.

[SteveA]

As a matter of interest are there any particular signs of an airlock in the cooling system?

The only reason I ask is that when having a look at why the rad seemed to be weeping and when feeling at the coolant pipe in and out there was a considerable difference in difficulty to squeeze it. So I started the engine back up (had just warmed it up properly) and the inlet pipe was red hot along with half of the radiator, so I undid the rad bleed screw and no coolant was coming out at first. Tightened it back up and the rest of the rad started to heat up so I opened it again until I felt the hot coolant started to weep out.

Should you be able to visibly see the coolant moving in the header tank, as I can honestly say it never looks like it is doing anything!

Or should I now do the bleed screw in the engine bay for good measure?

Header tank fluid will only be visible when the pressure is fully up.

Typical sign of air locks will be temps going up and down.

In the words of Leona Lewis, Keep Bleedin'

[Mangham54]

As a matter of interest are there any particular signs of an airlock in the cooling system?

The only reason I ask is that when having a look at why the rad seemed to be weeping and when feeling at the coolant pipe in and out there was a considerable difference in difficulty to squeeze it. So I started the engine back up (had just warmed it up properly) and the inlet pipe was red hot along with half of the radiator, so I undid the rad bleed screw and no coolant was coming out at first. Tightened it back up and the rest of the rad started to heat up so I opened it again until I felt the hot coolant started to weep out.

Should you be able to visibly see the coolant moving in the header tank, as I can honestly say it never looks like it is doing anything!

Or should I now do the bleed screw in the engine bay for good measure?

Header tank fluid will only be visible when the pressure is fully up.

Typical sign of air locks will be temps going up and down.

In the words of Leona Lewis, Keep Bleedin'

As in the temperature going up and down when stationary as mine generally sits comfortably at 88*C or when on the move when it will move up and down a few *C depending on speed?

Plus should I see the coolant entering the header tank from the pipe at the top, or just swirling inside? Had the boot open so many times in the last 11months and cannot honestly say I have ever noticed the coolant in the header tank doing anything other than very slowly disappearing over period of weeks / 1-2k miles

I will have to keep an eye on it if I can drive it up to Newcastle this weekend to see this missus after seeing the Hospital and getting a for my left eye tomorrow, otherwise I am on the train.... again

Am properly fed up of the lack of sight and crappy creams and drops I have to keep putting into it. At least the pain has now gone.

[Adonai]

All the pictures have gone on this thread. Has anybody got a PDF version of this guide?

Here.

thank! I will need it in short time

[Andy_sx]

Where could I find the c clips? Will be replacing the cooling system at the weekend, and these are the last bits I need

[jules_s]

Great review so far

Keep it up, it will no doubt be an great addition to the 'useful' threads sticky.

This guide will be posted in several chunks so please don't post till im done, cheers.

Was that a sarcastic post 18 months later?

Anyways, thanks again to Steve for posting this thread.....given my car has hardly spent a day in a garage before last year I'm really looking forward to all of the dremelling

[fezzasus]

Where could I find the c clips? Will be replacing the cooling system at the weekend, and these are the last bits I need

ebay http://www.ebay.co.u...#ht_1332wt_1110

[a4boltman]

Guys, Speedy Fasteners do a full stainless steel radiator bolts kit including all the c clips you need...
http://cgi.ebay.co.u...T#ht_1266wt_986

[jules_s]

Cheers What are the scrivets for?

[richclem]

One item not mentioned in the guide is to check that your horn still works before you put the front clam back on. The wire for the horn goes through the radiator housing and can be quite easily dislodged when lifting it up. I only found out when mine failed its MOT just on the horn not working

[Rickwoo118]

Great guide. Will use it when my radiator needs changing.