Coolant change - Any tips?

Post Wed Jul 05, 2006 10:23 pm

Hi Guys, does anyone have a write up (or know where I can see one online) for doing a coolant change on a 318iS? (M42 engine)?, checked the Haynes manual and it only shows how to top up the coolant rather than replace?

Thinking of doing this at the weekend.

Cheers

Red Devil.

Post Wed Jul 05, 2006 10:24 pm

Drop the bottom hose on the rad!

Post Thu Jul 06, 2006 6:38 pm

Is that it?, nothing more?.....lol. Heard you had to have the heaters on full etc?.

Post Thu Jul 06, 2006 7:06 pm

Have a look at this site http://www.esatclear.ie/~bpurcell/318ismaintenance.html might just have the info you need

Charlie

Post Thu Jul 06, 2006 11:23 pm

charlE30 wrote:Have a look at this site http://www.esatclear.ie/~bpurcell/318ismaintenance.html might just have the info you need

Charlie

Cheers Charlie, so following the destructions on that site I:

* Remove the radiator cap.
* Pour in a water/antifreeze solution (as required in your area) so that it reaches the level mark on the radiator.
* Turn the interior heater/air con to full heat and turn the fan to its 1st position.
* Start the engine.
* Continue to slowly add coolant until it is ~2"/50mm above the level mark on the radiator. Keep the level there while the engine idles.
* After about 5 minutes the top radiator hose should be getting hot as the thermostat opens. Once this is warm, loosen the bleed screw slightly until some air or coolant comes slowly out (~3-4 turns).
* Bring the revs up a little and watch the bleed screw. As soon as pure coolant with no bubbles is coming out, tighten the screw with the revs still raised.
* Check the coolant level and replace the radiator cap.
* With fresh water, wash down the area around the front and side of the radiator to remove any antifreeze which may have come in contact with the paintwork.
* After ~1-2 hours of use, release the bleed screw again, bring up the revs, check for bubbles coming out and check the coolant level again.

Guessing I totally empty the system by yanking out the hose in the bottom of the radiator before I do anything else?. Should I also shove a hosepipe in the top of the radiator to clean out an gunk?, sure I heard someone suggest that a while back but cannot find the post.

Thanks again

Red D

Post Sat Jul 08, 2006 1:33 am

Anyone? today is the day I try this so would like to have all the facts before I start.

Cheers
Red Devil

Post Sat Jul 08, 2006 7:58 am

Looks spot on to me, but isn't there a drain plug at the bottom of the radiator? I don't know the M42 engine at all

charlie

Post Sat Jul 08, 2006 8:16 am

Yes - there's a drain plug at the bottom of the expansion tank (left) side of the rad.

Post Sat Jul 08, 2006 3:23 pm

spot on advice there lads
just done mine and all is now good
ya could boil water on the heater vents its that hot wooohooo

Post Sat Jul 08, 2006 5:44 pm

Excellent, done mine too, one slight problem was that my car has a sump guard so I had to jack it up to remove that before I could drain the system. Also had a nightmare when the bleed screw snapped while I was unscrewing it (must have been faulty), left half the screw in the car and the screw open, got some advice from Eko to remove the old screw in the radiator, then bought a new one for Ã‚£1.50, took 2 minutes once it was out.

Thanks again for the tips and advice, much appreciated.

Well that's my first real spot of DIY done and dusted, next.......engine change (in about 15 years.....lol)

Red D