31 replies to this topic

[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.

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

Mine took about 10 mins at idle, covered engine/rad vents but I doubt this made much difference. If the fan does not kick in once past 106 then turn off - you will then need to diagnose fan problem.

[techieboy]

Mine took about 10 mins at idle, covered engine/rad vents but I doubt this made much difference. If the fan does not kick in once past 106 then turn off - you will then need to diagnose fan problem.

I think if it doesn't kick in at that point, I'd take it for a drive before turning it off. You'd definitely want to get some cooling airflow happening and not just turn it off and leave the hot coolant sitting there static.

[aron916]

left it idling for about 15-20mins, and was hovering around the 92 mark, maximum was 94. Then turned off and checked the fan was working (connected straight to the battery) and its fine. is it worth checking the thermostat incase of problems if so how? Thanks

[catmando]

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 ?

If ya changed the header tank and topped up with water and too week***( Are you using Anti freeze tester ?)***now buy 1ltr of anti freeze, syphon out whats in the header tank and top up with neat anti freeze run car around couple of days to circulate and test again , will find it ok . if not repeat proccess ,
I do this on my pre winter checks
Hope this saves you the full drain expecially when the sun has finally decided to shine .

[mandarinvx]

I bought a big syringe on ebay (dread to think what it's real purpose is ) Either that or some tubing, but I didn't fancy the idea of tasting coolant, it smells bad enough!

[catmando]

I bought a big syringe on ebay (dread to think what it's real purpose is )

Either that or some tubing, but I didn't fancy the idea of tasting coolant, it smells bad enough!

Your right ive got a big syringe i use . Diddnt think he'd have one so i said syphon

Ever syphoned petrol/ diesel and not quite got it to flow when it only came 1/2 way down tube . then ya have to go back for the next suck AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH . worst mouth wash in the world

[Bakazan]

left it idling for about 15-20mins, and was hovering around the 92 mark, maximum was 94. Then turned off and checked the fan was working (connected straight to the battery) and its fine. is it worth checking the thermostat incase of problems if so how?
Thanks

I don't know how to check the thermostat without hitting the required temperature.

To be honest you may be looking for a problem when there's not one there, the rads just let go because the design is weak, it may be nothing to do with overheating.

Just keep an eye on the temperature next time you are in standing traffic. Driving in London it seems to trip on and off a fair bit, I guess if you live outside of a city it may never get hot enough.

[aron916]

left it idling for about 15-20mins, and was hovering around the 92 mark, maximum was 94. Then turned off and checked the fan was working (connected straight to the battery) and its fine. is it worth checking the thermostat incase of problems if so how?
Thanks

I don't know how to check the thermostat without hitting the required temperature.

To be honest you may be looking for a problem when there's not one there, the rads just let go because the design is weak, it may be nothing to do with overheating.

Just keep an eye on the temperature next time you are in standing traffic. Driving in London it seems to trip on and off a fair bit, I guess if you live outside of a city it may never get hot enough.

yeah, just getting paranoid i think. Seeing as i live in the middle of nowhere it shouldnt be a big problem. i think the fan has only ever kicked in once since i owned the car.

[Sambo1]

Thought i would bring this thread back up again. I’m am going to change my rad this weekend and my new Radiator arrived today. Very excited haha as its pro alloy and I’ve wanted to buy something from them for ages (sad i know haha)









Very pleased with the build quality and cannot wait to get it in. I’m guessing the old fan off my old rad will be ok with this ? Also I’m just going to use normal water, I’ve bought 6 liters of GM coolant. New header tank will be with me tomorrow also, I’ve recently replaced the current one but it was damaged on arrival so AutoVaux are very kindly swapping it for me.

Cheers

[Muncher]

Yes, old fan goes on there. What I did was rinse out all the exisiting system with a garden hose, let it all flush out. Start the engine and allow it to get up to temperature until the water pump kicks in and as it lowers the level in the header tank (as you should disconnect the return at this stage) just top up with neat antifreeze until you've put all the antifreeze you need in. You will get all the antifreeze you need in before the concentrate antifreeze makes its way back to the header tank. Then it's just a case of bleeding using the 3 bleed valves. Oh, and don't do it in December like I did when the water on the ground freezes pretty much instantly as you're doing it.

[Sambo1]

How important is it that i use distilled water ?

[Crazyfrog (Fab)]

How important is it that i use distilled water ?

deepens on the quality of the water of where you live anyway its always safer with distilled water in a long run
did mine last month and .......