Engine

Coolant Drain and Refill

Is there a special procedure for filling up the engine coolant?

I just got the car back on Friday from my mechanic after having the timing belt replaced. Took
the car to a motorkana yesterday, it overheated yesterday on last run of motorkana (39 degree C
here yesterday). - it had been running hot from when I got it back (I'm wondering whether they
refilled the coolant properly at the shop) I had to fill it with tap water to enable me to drive it
home. This morning I drained the radiator (removed top and bottom hoses) and attempted to
refill with coolant but, are still having heat problems.

Book says coolant capacity is 16 litres - I could only put 9 litres in it.

Any help would be appreciated.

Brett Read


It sounds like you have trapped air. The sytem should be filled slowly and "burped"
occasinally. With the heater on, and when the thermostat opens, the level in the coolant
reservoir will drop. Add more to keep it at the fill line. To burb the system, squeeze the lower
radiator coolant hose, now and then.

Merry motoring, Ed.


The 16 liters capacity is what it would take to fill a "dry" system. When you yank the radiator
hoses, you pretty much just drain the radiator and hoses. The hoses connect high on the
block, so it remains full. There are two plugs on each side of the block (accessible from
beneath). Be careful, the plugs are pretty small and if you strip or break them, it will be quite
difficult to get them out.

Given the fact that most antifreezes only need a 50% mix, and you drained 9 liters from the
radiator (out off 16 liters), you would be OK not draining the block if you did a good flush (fill,
drain, fill, drain cycle several times) to lower the antifreeze concentration. Then, just fill the
system with 8 liters antifreeze and top off with water. Ed's suggestions ensure that you don't
have trapped air.

If you still have overheating problems, there are many previous posts that cover the many
possible reasons.

Good luck!
Rich