1st drive in my s3c
Discussion
Yes....me again!!
Picked up my S3c found on ebay (see my other post for details)at 6 tonight. Its now 9:15 and I've just got it back-took the scenic route
1st impresions..
How have I done without this car before??? The sound is the best thing I have ever heard! It pulls through all the gears and the torque is incredible. A lot faster than I thought.Everybody turns round when they here it coming.
Temperature seemed to behave itself, (never above the 1st line above 90) although I didnt hit traffic. HOWEVER......
got back and checked the water levels after it had cooled downi. Looked like someone had emptied a can of tango in there, bright orangey rusty colour!!Cant believe I didnt check this b4 I bought it (actually it wouldnt have put me off ) I'm going to flush it tomorrow, never done it b4 so can someone point me in the right direction. also whats the worse case scenario with rust in the water? New swirl pot? NEW RAD?
Is there a certain coolant that I should use to prevent this?
Thanks, Grant
Picked up my S3c found on ebay (see my other post for details)at 6 tonight. Its now 9:15 and I've just got it back-took the scenic route
1st impresions..
How have I done without this car before??? The sound is the best thing I have ever heard! It pulls through all the gears and the torque is incredible. A lot faster than I thought.Everybody turns round when they here it coming.
Temperature seemed to behave itself, (never above the 1st line above 90) although I didnt hit traffic. HOWEVER......
got back and checked the water levels after it had cooled downi. Looked like someone had emptied a can of tango in there, bright orangey rusty colour!!Cant believe I didnt check this b4 I bought it (actually it wouldnt have put me off
) I'm going to flush it tomorrow, never done it b4 so can someone point me in the right direction. also whats the worse case scenario with rust in the water? New swirl pot? NEW RAD?Is there a certain coolant that I should use to prevent this?
Thanks, Grant
Agree - some antifreezes do look a bit orangy-yellow. Mine is blue (well it's empty at the moment but it's usually blue).
If you do want to drain it, do it by removing the bottom hose off the radiator.
To refill, open up the heater valve to "hot" then loosen the bleed screw on the top of the rad then refill through the swirl tank neck. You'll hear air hiss out of the bleed screw. When water starts to come out without air, tighten the bleed screw and continue to fill to just below the filler neck. Squeezing (pumping) the top hose can help to dislodge any air.
Refit the cap and run the engine for a bit. Let it cool then refill to level again.
If you do want to drain it, do it by removing the bottom hose off the radiator.
To refill, open up the heater valve to "hot" then loosen the bleed screw on the top of the rad then refill through the swirl tank neck. You'll hear air hiss out of the bleed screw. When water starts to come out without air, tighten the bleed screw and continue to fill to just below the filler neck. Squeezing (pumping) the top hose can help to dislodge any air.
Refit the cap and run the engine for a bit. Let it cool then refill to level again.
The expansion bottles do tend to fill with sediment - just flush it out.
The old water might have been in there for ages, so it could be carrying a lot of crap around, and also you don't know what antifreeze mix you have - with winter coming up it's worth making sure you have enough antifreeze in there, especially if the car isn't used every day and therefore more likely to freeze.
I use about 25% to 30% mix - any less and you get limited freezing protection, any more and the system is more prone to leaks, I find.
I've never had to use a flushing agent like Radflush or something like that, so I don't know how well it works. It might be worth backflushing the radiator with a hose (ie upwards from the bottom) to dislodge any blockage and crud in the radiator. You can only hose-flush the engine block if you take the thermostat out and it's probably not worth the bother.
I would only worry if your new antifreeze leaks or the water level drops continuously. It sounds from your OP as if the cooling system is working ok.
The old water might have been in there for ages, so it could be carrying a lot of crap around, and also you don't know what antifreeze mix you have - with winter coming up it's worth making sure you have enough antifreeze in there, especially if the car isn't used every day and therefore more likely to freeze.
I use about 25% to 30% mix - any less and you get limited freezing protection, any more and the system is more prone to leaks, I find.
I've never had to use a flushing agent like Radflush or something like that, so I don't know how well it works. It might be worth backflushing the radiator with a hose (ie upwards from the bottom) to dislodge any blockage and crud in the radiator. You can only hose-flush the engine block if you take the thermostat out and it's probably not worth the bother.
I would only worry if your new antifreeze leaks or the water level drops continuously. It sounds from your OP as if the cooling system is working ok.
- and as longers said how about some piccies ...Yes it has been de catted!
I have just flushed the water, added proper coolant (was almost just water b4), changed the oil filter and oil cheacked all points and renewed Plugs (2 attempts at Halfords at didnt realise they weren the tapered ones).
Now temp doesn't even go above 90
Sorted insurance through A plan (£569) comp. Not bad considering I'm 24 (I thought anyway).
Booked it in for a way oyl, then a proper vallet in my garage and I'm ready to enjoy. I love it!!!!ps how do I post piccys?
I have just flushed the water, added proper coolant (was almost just water b4), changed the oil filter and oil cheacked all points and renewed Plugs (2 attempts at Halfords at didnt realise they weren the tapered ones).
Now temp doesn't even go above 90
Sorted insurance through A plan (£569) comp. Not bad considering I'm 24 (I thought anyway).
Booked it in for a way oyl, then a proper vallet in my garage and I'm ready to enjoy. I love it!!!!ps how do I post piccys?
.. but no doubt someone will tell usI use photobucket.com
Upload your pics to photobucket.
For each pic there are 4 lots of links that you can cut and paste.
I use the [img] one which seems to work well, so when you compose your PH response you only see a text line, you have to click preview to see your pic.
Works for me.
If you delete pics out of your photobucket account they will no longer appear in your PH post.
Chris
Upload your pics to photobucket.
For each pic there are 4 lots of links that you can cut and paste.
I use the [img] one which seems to work well, so when you compose your PH response you only see a text line, you have to click preview to see your pic.
Works for me.
If you delete pics out of your photobucket account they will no longer appear in your PH post.
Chris
V6ish said:
ps how do I post piccys?
I use :http://imageshack.us/
Browse and upload your pic, scroll down to end op page and copy the
link called : direct link to image.
Type [pic]url[/pic} in your reply an paste the link over the url text.
(off course use all square brackets)
Easy, green is mine !
Br, Han
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