A job for one night this week is a coolant change (eww its all brown in there!) or two..

 

Obviously I need a mixed-metal safe coolant, and lots of (distilled preferrably) water.. But..

 

I fill the rad through the rad cap, I assume, but then do I also fill that coolant bottle thing on the right hand side (as you look at the engine) of the bay?

I notice it has a dipstick in it... Well.. The bottom of mine is wet.. Just.. Should it be further up?

 

Cheers

 

Az (questions questions I know.. sorry!)

Think you need to fill through the rad cap until it is full, then start engine, top up etc. etc. Cap on and check the level in the tank. The tank dipstick has hi/lo marks I seem to remember.

Hi,

Draining the old coolant out can be a bitch! The stopcock on the bottom of the radiator only lets a dribble out! It's a lot easier if your undertray is off or missing, as it's best to pull off a hose to drain the coolant out.Sounds like you will need to flush the system out with clean water a few times..You don't want brown sludgey water in a Z32 engine!

JEZ

One more thing - anyone know the capacity of the cooling system? (so I know how much coolant & distilled water to buy!)

 

CheerZ..

You could probably use filtered rainwater (i.e. without the leaves etc), or tap water if you have a decent water filter (not softner) at home. Probably cheaper than buying gallons of distilled. You could also consider that synthetic coolant that I think someone has, or is Redline (?) Water Wetter. No idea whather it makes any difference but it sounds clever ....

Well I've got a Brita water filter.. Might take a while to filter all the water I need tho (Then again.. it does work quite quick!) not sure if it really removes all the necessary nasties though..

 

I may well get some Redline Water Wetter - it's supposed to work very well..

 

Premixed coolant would save all the trouble - but halfords rarely have any 5L cans of normal coolant, let alone premixed

Don`t forget to remove the bleed plug on the top left of the rad when filling,this lets the air out as you fill,makes for an easyier life.Do this until full replace plug then idle engine,expect to fill again and again as the water drops.Once at a point of steady repalce cap and go for a brief drive and check level agin once engine is cool.The expansion tank will fill and disgharge on its own so if the rad level is ok and topped no need to re-fill the expansion.

Jeff TT

Cheers Jeff - I'll remember that.. Just found the capacity in the manual (d'uh I'm stupid aren't I).. 10l with the reservoir.. Ouch - that'll be a lot of coolant & water I'll need then!

Just stick some ordinary tap water in it !!! After all, the amount of residue already in there will far outway any pollutants you are putting in with tap water

 

CheerZ,

 

Andy

Good point But I'd like to do it properly.. Just for the hell of it

 

So I'll probably flush it through two or three times with tap water, then drain & fill with distilled & coolant..

 

You know I'd swear there is no coolant at all in there at the moment! (And it was last filled.... by a Nelson Mandela... Not in my hands I'll just add..)

 

Az

BTW - has anyone noticed the procedure on TT net for emptying the coolant? ( I think it was TT.net )..

 

"Remove top hose/bottom hose" (I forget which)

"Start engine for 15 seconds"

 

Eep! Scared...

Az, give me your keys while you're doing it - that way you can't start your engine No need to start the thing - more important to get it on a level surface...

 

CheerZ,

 

Andy

Is that an offer of help Andy? hehe..

(Worth a try huh?)

 

How the furkerkin hell are ya sposed to have it level tho.. And get under it at the same time..

 

Or is it possible to get your hands to the bottom of the rad from the top if you're a contortionist?

 

Or is it time for all four axle stands to come out and play

Az, where are you? If you're anywhere up near preston I'll gladly help out.....

You should be able to get to the drain tap etc without the car being jacked up, or do it and then let the jack down

 

CheerZ,

 

Andy

 

PS You on msn messenger???

Andy - unfortunately nowhere near Preston..

 

I'm on MSN as aaron@mind-design.co.uk

 

Yourself?