Radiator coolant

[stonedrive]

Hi everyone, here’s a good one for you. How much coolant does a Mk2 radiator hold. Cheers Steve

[Lingen]

Just the radiator?

[stonedrive]

Hi Lingen, yes just the radiator. Steve

[jbuckl]

This isn’t listed afaiaa.
estimate 4 pints ish

system is 19 pints afaiaa.

[stonedrive]

Hi Julian, ok many thanks Steve.

[DJT]

IMG_0574.jpg

[stonedrive]

Thanks DJT, Steve

[jbuckl]

Dave is tirelessly posting answers from the rom.
So helpful .
Thanks for always doing this.

i have a spare radiator here…. But I’m not about to measure it’s capacity.

will do if it’s necessary though.

@ Stonedrive…. Why are you after knowing the radiator capacity?

I usually run up with water after a rebuild… check for leaks, fix leaks.
Then take out about 1/4-1/3 of the water to replace with ethylene glycol coolant….. 1/4 or up to 1/2 is a suitable ratio.

bought a fluid sucker a few years ago…. Has been a very useful tool. Can suck out up to 7 litres.

can’t remember the make…. But canal boat places sell them…

similar to this…. Not identical though

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/296961341533?_trkparms=amclksrc%3DITM%26aid%3D1110006%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D280565%2C280620%2C281023%26meid%3D1cfec468f6ca49c3a72e2669a96be452%26pid%3D101429%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D12%26sd%3D355018449340%26itm%3D296961341533%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D2332490%26algv%3DSimPLMWebV1EmbeddedAuctionsCPCAutoManualWithCIIXAIEbertEmbRecallsUpdatedRanker0424NoIMA%26brand%3DUnbranded&_trksid=p2332490.c101429.m2460&itmprp=cksum%3A2969613415331cfec468f6ca49c3a72e2669a96be452%7Cenc%3AAQAKAAABQKxsCgy5i7ztWhjg%252FVuODCBGFXnymLLtCQPw0Pb%252BAnnUrEh3Uicx%252BzponjKRRstuhNepgyA9zsxxm9WkU4eJhJNc0FnE3sWn9QNPQ9BsfycWHf4xsNkj50TMSN%252FYu8xkfOwqXXwJKDF3WzsgrCFn5Wop0s6QtMgCGdFnWBClMfpENOztg2y1BvyXElYNRywccXL2CU39RAKs0bOk2JTcDqSTnJs9frMbcCXIQK9a3WdrtMSokGMg6vtAl2taL5j7%252BW81YfNRVHtX7sW1U6Cs6AgPyKFKwaSy%252F8MDeahia1JLyCk9z213DGBgQ9UCHIpCGzVSRUkkIiN6hoEf5WB2yrRBC7jC%252BCj4h5GITMp8z8B%252BacEpafpfs%252FpMqTVFLXdffJpE8iREEMyIDvn%252ByHotNfptp%252BhVEO9Vrl%252FpHQMaEkmJ%7Campid%3APL_CLK%7Cclp%3A2332490&itmmeta=01JM8E99DJADJ7Z28WRRW3PWB7

[gbb483]

There was a time when the original radiators were swapped out for alternatives (something to do with incorrectly diagnosing overheating). Would that make a difference to the listed capacities?

[stonedrive]

Hi Julian, I was just going to check if the rad holds what it’s supposed to and it’s not caked up with scale or crud after flushing through. Cheers Steve

[Goldstar]

Hi Julian, I was just going to check if the rad holds what it’s supposed to and it’s not caked up with scale or crud after flushing through. Cheers Steve

I think you might be overthinking things Steve. If the cooling system works fine then I would be inclined to not worry about it too much. Just my 2p worth.

[gbb483]

You could try filling the radiator with hot water and see if any part of it stays cold.

[MandM]

Hi Julian, I was just going to check if the rad holds what it’s supposed to and it’s not caked up with scale or crud after flushing through. Cheers Steve

Hi Steve I put some kettle descaler in mine with warm water, blocked up all the holes and shook it about for 10 mins then drained it into a jug, flushed it out with the hose, this photo shows what came out of the jug after i let it settle for a day or so and poured the water off.

and I back flush the rad every couple of years.

20230105_135126[39959].jpg

don't forget to use the old carboard trick to protect your rad when refitting

P1060417.jpg

[stonedrive]

Thanks everyone for your replies, that’s a lot of crud Martin think I will do the same . Cheers Steve

[richardthestag]

I would lay the tank flat, fill with boiling water and use a infrared thermostat to check for a nice even heat across the matrix.