Replacing coolant

[sprocket]

Hiyas. In typing this from my iPhone so excuse my shortness ! Just wondering the toools and procedure of replacing coolant in my vt, my radiator hose was sabbotaged and I had to call the RAC this morning when I overheated on the way to uni (what a shame missed my 8am lecture :P). So ATM the system is full if water! I know there is a how-to but it's for a VS and isn't that clear! Thanks! Ill edit this as soon as I'm home!

[sxc_sound]

tools needed

coolant
water (if its concentrate coolant)
screw driver to undo hose clamps and bleed valve


BASICALLY, and this is a very short way of doing it

undo the lower radiator hose using a flat head screw driver coolant will come out, take the radiator cap off the top and shove a hose in the bottom radiator hose and down where the radiator cap is. put the bottom hose back on and start adding in the coolant at the top

[227shanno]

tools needed

coolant
water (if its concentrate coolant)
screw driver to undo hose clamps and bleed valve


BASICALLY, and this is a very short way of doing it

undo the lower radiator hose using a flat head screw driver coolant will come out, take the radiator cap off the top and shove a hose in the bottom radiator hose and down where the radiator cap is. put the bottom hose back on and start adding in the coolant at the top

thats how its done, also stick a hose down there for a bit before you put tha new stuf in. when finished, start her up till the temp gauge moves then open the bleeder screw till all the steam/bubbles stops and its just coolant spraying out, then screw it shut- that bleeds the air out

[sprocket]

So basically undo the bottom hose, put a garden hose down the radiator cap and flush it, then let it all drain, connect bottom hose and fill again with coolant?

I bought some castrol 350 antifreeze concentrate so ill follow the directions to water it down.

Dont i have to bleed the air out of the system with the screw under the engine cover?

[sprocket]

Agh cant get the clamps undone holding the hoses on, they are self tightening ones i think. Like you have to pull the pieces together to loosen it? ;s

[banga]

just use a pair of multi grips or large pliers i would replace the lower squeeze clamp with a thread type as they can leak after a while , use a 10 mil socket to undo the engine cover bolts
best way to flush the engine is to turn the heater on then take one of the heater hoses off , i usually do the bottom one as it fits garden hoses better , they are on the left side of the engine 2 small hoses ok once you have the hose off shove the garden hose in and turn it on full, make sure you have the outlet hose off (the right side ) take it off at the engine its easier than taking the fan out to get to the bottom hose on the radiator , hold your hand over the right side outlet so it forces the water thru the heater engine inlet , itll actually come out of there wait till it blows clear water then do it all up then add the concentrate , wait till it gets hot then you will see the level drop a bit then open the bleed screw till you get coolant coming out , when it does turn it off tight (not to tight) then put engine cover back on and see if engine fan kicks in when it should (about half way) on the temp gauge , after you have taken it for a run check it after a while for any leaks and if all good pat yourself on the back and go to uni.

[pablo]

Unless you remove the two 'knock sensors', one on each side of block, you will not be able to fully drain the water. The VT ecotec system holds 12 liters of coolant and by only removing the bottom hose only approx 6 liters will drain.(thats all I get out of mine) The ratio of coolant concentrate to de-mineralised water should be 50/50, but check the bottle label. If you pre mix the coolant and then pour it in the radiator, with the retained water, you will end up with only about a 25% concentration.
Also, turn on the heater hot water tap control.