Hi everyone,
I wonder if somebody would be kind enough to give me, or tell me where to find, the correct procedure for filling the system with coolant.
My Stag is a 1971 with a completely new Mk 2 cooling configuration (did after we bought the car in June this year). Everything checked (rad) and replaced with new, bar the water pump. New heater matrix was also put in as the old one was bypassed. Radiator was taken to rad shop and repaired as it had sprung a leak from the old Mk1 bendy fan hitting it and breaking off. So assume they had checked rad all over.
All went well with the plain water test for leaks. Car ran many times with temp gauge not doing scary things and all hoses hot in the right places. Today I wanted to add antifreeze. I started with using a flush chemical for getting rid of rust and followed all directions. All looked good. Heater was on, pipes hot. Haven't drained the coolant and flush from the blocks 'cos didn't know where the drain plugs were until about 15 mins ago (on this forum). Triumph engine has had a rebuild 4,000 miles ago, all I have is the invoice. During one of the engine runs to flush the chemical, I heard popping sounds from the heater matrix; assumed it was air bubbles. Drained rad (although should drain whole system according to flush instructions). There were some flakes of rust in what came out, so guess the chemical did some work.
Drove the car to a place where I can put the left front nose high to fill with antifreeze. I figured since I only got about 3-4 L from the lower rad hose, that neat antifreeze would dilute down to about right dilution. (It can get down to -40oC in winter here, and the attached garage usually hits -20oC during these periods).
Started car to circulate the coolant. I didn't do the hoses squeezing, so that was probably a mistake. The coolant bubbled out the rad cap like an Icelandic geyser. Figured that was the air coming out so kept going, rad cap off expansion bottle. Coolant everywhere. Refilled to what I thought was ok.
Went for a spin round the block and temp gauge climbed. Still heard the heater matrix making sounds. Just got home when a top hose coming from lower rad hose, came off its seating and spewed coolant over the engine. Everywhere hot, no cold spots. Expansion bottle now full.
Will sort out the hose tomorrow, but any idea of sequence of events? What is proper coolant fill procedure? VC is ok, fan spinning ok. Crud behind thermostat? Water pump? And what is that heater matrix up to? Wasn't doing that noise before (it's new). Can I buy a regular thermostat gasket from the equivalent to Halfords w/out having to order one (takes 2 weeks).
Sorry, this is long and I'm going to be a constant pest on this forum. Don't forget, use words that a girl who knows how a car works, but hasn't a clue in the repair dept, understands!!!
Thanks
Tanya
I wonder if somebody would be kind enough to give me, or tell me where to find, the correct procedure for filling the system with coolant.
My Stag is a 1971 with a completely new Mk 2 cooling configuration (did after we bought the car in June this year). Everything checked (rad) and replaced with new, bar the water pump. New heater matrix was also put in as the old one was bypassed. Radiator was taken to rad shop and repaired as it had sprung a leak from the old Mk1 bendy fan hitting it and breaking off. So assume they had checked rad all over.
All went well with the plain water test for leaks. Car ran many times with temp gauge not doing scary things and all hoses hot in the right places. Today I wanted to add antifreeze. I started with using a flush chemical for getting rid of rust and followed all directions. All looked good. Heater was on, pipes hot. Haven't drained the coolant and flush from the blocks 'cos didn't know where the drain plugs were until about 15 mins ago (on this forum). Triumph engine has had a rebuild 4,000 miles ago, all I have is the invoice. During one of the engine runs to flush the chemical, I heard popping sounds from the heater matrix; assumed it was air bubbles. Drained rad (although should drain whole system according to flush instructions). There were some flakes of rust in what came out, so guess the chemical did some work.
Drove the car to a place where I can put the left front nose high to fill with antifreeze. I figured since I only got about 3-4 L from the lower rad hose, that neat antifreeze would dilute down to about right dilution. (It can get down to -40oC in winter here, and the attached garage usually hits -20oC during these periods).
Started car to circulate the coolant. I didn't do the hoses squeezing, so that was probably a mistake. The coolant bubbled out the rad cap like an Icelandic geyser. Figured that was the air coming out so kept going, rad cap off expansion bottle. Coolant everywhere. Refilled to what I thought was ok.
Went for a spin round the block and temp gauge climbed. Still heard the heater matrix making sounds. Just got home when a top hose coming from lower rad hose, came off its seating and spewed coolant over the engine. Everywhere hot, no cold spots. Expansion bottle now full.
Will sort out the hose tomorrow, but any idea of sequence of events? What is proper coolant fill procedure? VC is ok, fan spinning ok. Crud behind thermostat? Water pump? And what is that heater matrix up to? Wasn't doing that noise before (it's new). Can I buy a regular thermostat gasket from the equivalent to Halfords w/out having to order one (takes 2 weeks).
Sorry, this is long and I'm going to be a constant pest on this forum. Don't forget, use words that a girl who knows how a car works, but hasn't a clue in the repair dept, understands!!!
Thanks
Tanya
something we should know hahahahha 
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