Coolant/Antifreeze
Discussion
I just use standard blue glycol (I used to use green Unipart but that's too expensive these days).
My tip for filling is to undo the small pipe that goes to the swan neck cap at the header tank end, attach a small funnel, raise it, and fill up through the pipe, until fluid fills up the header.
You have to keep the flow steady and the funnel full or bubbles will halt it.
Then you never have to undo the swan neck cap, which is prone to failing if disturbed.
My tip for filling is to undo the small pipe that goes to the swan neck cap at the header tank end, attach a small funnel, raise it, and fill up through the pipe, until fluid fills up the header.
You have to keep the flow steady and the funnel full or bubbles will halt it.
Then you never have to undo the swan neck cap, which is prone to failing if disturbed.
Edited by adam quantrill on Saturday 11th April 18:28
Fill slowly from the swan neck, and squeeze the bottom and top hoses to burp the air from the rad. The coolant needs to go in very slowly to allow the air to escape. I do about a pint at a time and squeeze. When the rad is full and the coolant level is visible in the swan neck, replace the cap. Then add more coolant through the expansion tank until it's about 1/3 full. Run the engine with this cap off, blipping the throttle to speed up the pump / flow. As it heats up the level will obviously rise in the tank. Once it's close to the top, quickly replace the cap, and keep running the engine until the fan(s) kick in and switch off again. Allow to fully cool and top up the header tank to normal level. I've never had a problem using this method.
Blue is for the older car..Ref bleeding:..Ive heard some jack the front up a little before filling...We just used a funnel on the swan neck and filled up slowly squeezing pipes letting it settle..Then fill up some more..Replaced cap..Topped up the expansion tank and half filled the catch tank then ran it up to temp with interior fan on full..Switched to HOT position.
Then let it cool enough to check and top up if needed..Keep an eye on the catch tank as you really want that half full..Or half empty..Dependant if your a pessimist or an optimist ..
Then let it cool enough to check and top up if needed..Keep an eye on the catch tank as you really want that half full..Or half empty..Dependant if your a pessimist or an optimist ..
I don't know why you're bothering changing it when we're coming into summer? It isn't exactly going to freeze! The anti corrosion function of the fluid will be just as good (aluminium block anyway). Save the job for putting the car away for winter and use the money for petrol I say!
Puting the front up on axle stands helps... sometimes. I have something called water wetter in my car, a bit like fairy liquid it reduces the surface tension and makes burping air bubbles easier (And supposedly increases cooling).
The only downside is that any water utterly pisses out whenever you get a leak.
Puting the front up on axle stands helps... sometimes. I have something called water wetter in my car, a bit like fairy liquid it reduces the surface tension and makes burping air bubbles easier (And supposedly increases cooling).
The only downside is that any water utterly pisses out whenever you get a leak.
Edited by MethylatedSpirit on Saturday 11th April 19:19
I've never had any problems re-filling the system......simply remove both header and swan neck caps (don't worry about the swan cap being disturbed, a new Jag one costs only about a fiver off flea), fill through the swan neck cap until the system is full and the header fills to about a third. Put the header cap on, and run the engine with the swan neck off till no more air and it overflows. Replace swan cap and you're done.
Works for me.
Works for me.
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