Drain and Refilling Coolant

Draining

- With the engine cold, remove the pressure cap at the expansion tank and the sealing cap at the engine header tank. Check the condition of the seals on the pressure caps, renew seals or caps.

- Remove the radiator drain plug, and drain the radiator.

- Remove the engine block drain plug, and drain the engine block.

- Insert a water hose in the remote header tank, and regulate the flow so that the tank remains full with a minimum of overflow. Start the engine and run it at fast idle (about 1000 rev/mm) until the water from the drain holes becomes clear. Stop the engine, turn off the tap and allow the system to empty.

Refilling

- Refit the radiator and engine drain plugs.

- Set the heater control to 'DEF' ('HIGH non-air conditioned cars only).

- Slowly pour the recommended coolant mixture into the engine header tank.

- When the header tank is completely full with coolant refit the sealing cap.

- Start and run engine at fast idle (1000 rev/mm) for approximately five minutes.

- Switch off the engine, carefully remove the pressure cap from expansion tank, and if necessary add coolant to bring level to the base of filler neck. Refit the cap.

NOTE: It is not important if coolant is above this level as excess liquid will be ejected through the vent pipe.

When the engine is cold. remove the header tank cap to check that it is full. If not top it up and run the engine for another five minutes and check the coolant level in the header tank again. after the engine has cooled. If the tank is not full a leak has developed in the system which must be traced and rectified.