Coolant drain - help!

[Greg M]

So I picked up the Griff yesterday and it overheated on my way home - well, as I arrived to be more accurate.

I checked the coolant and it looked a bit dingy so I thought that would be job no 1. Popped to my local factor this morning; new cap and 5 litres of EG blue coolant.

Except now I find that there's OAT in there and I can't find out how to drain the block! Can anyone help?

Thanks!

[PeteGriff]

Hi Greg, stay calm mate, it is not as difficult as it looks. Take the bottom hose off (radiator) to drain. It will drain out almost all the coolant. Let it drain for a while. By the way at 40% you may need a tad more than 5L, I allowed 6L, which gave some for toping up. I highly recommend using deionised water (available from Motor Factors for about £7 to 8 for 20L) as it reduces the limescale deposits. When refilling don't forget to loosen the bleed screw on the front edge of the rad, refill gradually, pumping the large hose on the swirl tank to help circulation, keep an eye on the bleed screw, as soon as fluid comes out tighten up (don't forget to tighten the hose back up you used to drain before all this). Continue to fill and pump the hose (don't' forget to have the heater control set to hot before you start). When the swirl tank is about half full (no more) start the car an let it idle, when the thermostat opens you will see the coolant circulating (leave the cap off for this so as air can escape. Stop engine and top up to within 3" of the top, replace cap and run so as fans come on and coolant is circulating nicely, look for any leaks! Switch off, let cool, then check level and top up where necessary. Job done! Rgds, Pete

[Hedgehopper]

As PeteGriff says above. When you finish the swirlpot should be full to the brim (and should always stay this way). The expansion tank will, after the first run, find its own level and will probably have about 3" of coolant in it.
I find the hardest part is getting the heater to work because of airlocks.

[Greg M]

I've got a pre-cat non-serp 400... The swirl pot is the large alloy cannister? And it should be brimmed all the time? Above the upper inlet level?

Apologies if it sounds like I don't get it - I just want to make absolutely sure I get it right.

Cheers

[Aussie John]

Mine only runs 1/2 full, if I fill it any further it just pumps it out; some cars only run with 3" in the bottom of the pot, I guess its a case of drive it and see. Maybe the previous owner could tell you his experiences.

[PeteGriff]

Greg M said:

I've got a pre-cat non-serp 400... The swirl pot is the large alloy cannister? And it should be brimmed all the time? Above the upper inlet level?

Apologies if it sounds like I don't get it - I just want to make absolutely sure I get it right.

Cheers

Hi Greg, mine is a 430 pre-cat, the coolant settles about 3" from the top na dis happy there no matter what the driving conditions. It will settle at its own level, do not overfill as it will pump out the excess all to readily. Rgds, Pete

[Greg M]

I've been reading the handbook - what a useful thing! Anyway, it says leave it around 2" from the top. Good enough for me.

[Barreti]

Have you filled it yet Greg?

I fill my pre-cat by pulling off the very short hose from the swirl pot to the water pump at the swirl pot end and pour coolant down the hose straight into the water pump.

As for the swirl pot level, mine runs at exactly middle finger depth. If I take the lid off and can't touch the water with my middle finger I will top it up until I can.
But they all run at their own levels, so go easy filling it the first time and don't worry if it chucks a bit out..