Part draining coolant

[Dave2P]

My expansion tank has a (very) minor leak and I have a replacement to fit, so I want to drain just enough coolant to empty the expansion tank.

There doesn't seem to be a coolant drain plug/tap? Que?

If there really isn't one (a drain plug) then I guess plan B is to loosen a clip on one of the lower coolant lines (e.g. the line going into the rear turbo assembly) just enough that it starts to drip and catch it in a container until the expansion tank is almost empty.

Anyone else done this?

TIA, Dave

[mgbond]

Dave2P said:

My expansion tank has a (very) minor leak and I have a replacement to fit, so I want to drain just enough coolant to empty the expansion tank.

There doesn't seem to be a coolant drain plug/tap? Que?

If there really isn't one (a drain plug) then I guess plan B is to loosen a clip on one of the lower coolant lines (e.g. the line going into the rear turbo assembly) just enough that it starts to drip and catch it in a container until the expansion tank is almost empty.

Anyone else done this?

TIA, Dave

I can't see this being a problem, just do as you have said and loosen the clip of the lower pipe and drain the header that way. Pull the pipe off block the pipe and let the tank drain.

Bondy

[Dave2P]

Found an easier way of draining the expansion tank, for future reference :-

1. Un-clip the uppermost line into the expansion tank - it's a short line leading directly to the little blue box thingummy just below and behind the tank. This joins the expansion tank above the level of the coolant, so it doesn't come gushing out.

2. Place a container (plastic beer cup is perfect) below the tank.

3. Bend the un-clipped line down toward the container - coolant flows out. When container is full, lift the line - flow stops. Cool.

4. Transfer to a larger container and repeat 3 until tank is empty (approx 4 plastic beer cups).

Un-clip and un-screw tank until...

The lower coolant line (the thicker one at the bottom of the tank) won't budge; argh!

Anyone got any great ideas for persuading a rubber coolant line to relinquish its hold on the nozzle into the tank? I'm thinking axe at this moment... otherwise I'm gonna have to put it all together again...

[MrCredit]

Remove the coolant header tank mount bolts and then you should be able to hold the bigger hose and twist the header tank to break the seal and remove the hose.
That's how I removed mine the first time.

[Noblescort]

Then when you lower the height of the hose a bit, the rest of the coolant from the engine will come flooding out all over your toes (or undertray)!

Mine did when I fitted my new Proalloy tank yesterday!

[Dave2P]

MrCredit said:

hold the bigger hose and twist the header tank

Yep, that worked - cheers! I think being left in the sun for an hour helped, as did being threatened with an axe...

Back together now so going to run the engine for a bit, top it up and go and enjoy the sunshine!

[Dave2P]

Noblescort said:

flooding out all over your toes (or undertray)!

(8^)

Managed to avoid that with the assistance of another plastic cup!

[Siban01]

I had to do an emergency fill of water into the coolant system yesterday due to a leaking hose, so I actually want to empty the whole system and refill (very nearly ended up with a cooked engine!)

Is there a drain plug anywhere?? (rather than follow the disconnect a pipe somewhere near the bottom of the engine approach?)