31 replies to this topic

[Sambo1]

Hi Guys Has anyone here changed there own coolant before? If so could you possibly post a quick guide / the best way to do it ? Also does it matter what kind of coolant i use i was just going to buy the halfords advanced stuff .... Cheers , Your help is much appreciated. Im sure its not hard but i just dont want any nasty surpises tonight haha Sam

[SteveA]

Check the rad replacement guide in the useful threads sticky, it covers coolant replacement.

[Jameshs]

Hi Guys

Has anyone here changed there own coolant before? If so could you possibly post a quick guide / the best way to do it ? Also does it matter what kind of coolant i use i was just going to buy the halfords advanced stuff ....

Cheers , Your help is much appreciated. Im sure its not hard but i just dont want any nasty surpises tonight haha

Sam

You will save if you get the stuff from vauxhall

[aron916]

Hi Guys

Has anyone here changed there own coolant before? If so could you possibly post a quick guide / the best way to do it ? Also does it matter what kind of coolant i use i was just going to buy the halfords advanced stuff ....

Cheers , Your help is much appreciated. Im sure its not hard but i just dont want any nasty surpises tonight haha

Sam

You will save if you get the stuff from vauxhall

I bought 5L the other day for £13 ish, much cheaper the Halfrauds

[mandarinvx]

If you have the standard orange Vaux stuff there's no need to change it (unless you are working on something in the system) - If you change the rad you can leave the resevoir cap on and retain most of the coolant

[Sambo1]

HI Guys My header tank went the other day so ive had to replace it. This also meens that it lost alot of coolant which i simply topped up with water. Its too weak now so needs changing Does anyone know roughly how much the system takes in litres ?

[mandarinvx]

Around 12 litres on the NA


This is the Vauxhall bleed method

[Sambo1]

Around 12 litres on the NA


This is the Vauxhall bleed method

OK so its going to be around the same, whats the normal mix method ? 2 parts water 1 part coolant ?

Cheers for the help fella

[mandarinvx]

OK so its going to be around the same, whats the normal mix method ? 2 parts water 1 part coolant ?

Have a look at the link

[Sambo1]

OK so its going to be around the same, whats the normal mix method ? 2 parts water 1 part coolant ?

Have a look at the link

50 50 So im looking at needing around 6 litres

Cheers for the help Seems nice and simple

Sam

Edited by Sambo1, 22 August 2008 - 01:37 PM.

[mandarinvx]

I doubt you'll need that much to be honest - there'll be loads left in the system

[Cookies220]

Can you buy a gadget that tests the amount of antifreeze in the system? I've just had to top my system up with water but don't really want to have to drai and re-fill the whole system - seems like a waste.

[techieboy]

Can you buy a gadget that tests the amount of antifreeze in the system? I've just had to top my system up with water but don't really want to have to drai and re-fill the whole system - seems like a waste.

Yep, you could try one of these.

[aron916]

Have done my coolant today after changing my rad, it took 6L, does that sound about right? I know the capacity is 12L, and 6L is quite a lot to be short. I have bled the system completely (i think) - exit pipe on rad gets hot and the rad area near the pipe, and eventualy the rad entry pipe gets hot when running. Left the car running for a while at 92 degres, but im wary of letting it run any longer or until the fan kicks in, as when the old rad blew i dont recall the fan actually coming on! Does it all this sound normal? Thanks

[Crazyfrog (Fab)]

I doubt you'll need that much to be honest - there'll be loads left in the system

didnt use that method when i did the rad just top up with six liter 50% distilled wate and 50% 10 years life antifreeze
is it find even i cant drive it ............

[Cookies220]

Can you buy a gadget that tests the amount of antifreeze in the system? I've just had to top my system up with water but don't really want to have to drai and re-fill the whole system - seems like a waste.

Yep, you could try one of these.

Ideal

[Bakazan]

Have done my coolant today after changing my rad, it took 6L, does that sound about right? I know the capacity is 12L, and 6L is quite a lot to be short. I have bled the system completely (i think) - exit pipe on rad gets hot and the rad area near the pipe, and eventualy the rad entry pipe gets hot when running. Left the car running for a while at 92 degres, but im wary of letting it run any longer or until the fan kicks in, as when the old rad blew i dont recall the fan actually coming on!
Does it all this sound normal?
Thanks

The whole rad should get hot, are you getting that?

[aron916]

Have done my coolant today after changing my rad, it took 6L, does that sound about right? I know the capacity is 12L, and 6L is quite a lot to be short. I have bled the system completely (i think) - exit pipe on rad gets hot and the rad area near the pipe, and eventualy the rad entry pipe gets hot when running. Left the car running for a while at 92 degres, but im wary of letting it run any longer or until the fan kicks in, as when the old rad blew i dont recall the fan actually coming on!
Does it all this sound normal?
Thanks

The whole rad should get hot, are you getting that?

Yeah, after about 10mins or so running at approx 90 degres

[Bakazan]

Have done my coolant today after changing my rad, it took 6L, does that sound about right? I know the capacity is 12L, and 6L is quite a lot to be short. I have bled the system completely (i think) - exit pipe on rad gets hot and the rad area near the pipe, and eventualy the rad entry pipe gets hot when running. Left the car running for a while at 92 degres, but im wary of letting it run any longer or until the fan kicks in, as when the old rad blew i dont recall the fan actually coming on!
Does it all this sound normal?
Thanks

The whole rad should get hot, are you getting that?

Yeah, after about 10mins or so running at approx 90 degres

Run it through a full thermal cycle so the fan kicks on and off again - better to know its working in a controlled environment. Also this will push the temp past 100 and test the hose clips etc at full pressure. On an Na it comes on at 106.

[aron916]

Have done my coolant today after changing my rad, it took 6L, does that sound about right? I know the capacity is 12L, and 6L is quite a lot to be short. I have bled the system completely (i think) - exit pipe on rad gets hot and the rad area near the pipe, and eventualy the rad entry pipe gets hot when running. Left the car running for a while at 92 degres, but im wary of letting it run any longer or until the fan kicks in, as when the old rad blew i dont recall the fan actually coming on!
Does it all this sound normal?
Thanks

The whole rad should get hot, are you getting that?

Yeah, after about 10mins or so running at approx 90 degres

Run it through a full thermal cycle so the fan kicks on and off again - better to know its working in a controlled environment. Also this will push the temp past 100 and test the hose clips etc at full pressure. On an Na it comes on at 106.

So it will get there at idle then if i leave it long enough? And if the fan does not kick in?