Cooling system flush

[mikeonb4c]

There's instructions & there's advice - 2 different things all to be used with a sensible head on of course

Absolutely. As someone once said:

"Read a lot, and believe very little."

(actually it was the Duke of Edinburgh, who is often laughed at for being a plonker, though there is a lot of quiet evidence - like the gem above - that he is not)

[eoptio]

Hi all

well it's done...don't think I made many friends amongst the neighbours today...

Filled with 50/50 mix coolant/de-ionized water (very hard water round here), let idle/rev until the thermostat opened up (bottom hose hot and at some point the Mason alarm came on, set to 4) whilst moving the funnel up and down. Heater at front blew hot (the rear heather fan does not work), kept moving the funnel up and down until we could see no more bubbles, then let the level in the funnel drop till nearly empty, undid funnel and quickly put the bung in wearing rubber gloves. Took it for a 10 mile drive and all seems ok. On thing though the level in the funnel would drop quite quickly when revving with coolant coming out of the expansion tank. In the end we put the cap on the extension tank to stop it from overflowing.

Checked new hoses for leaks, one was leaking, others seemed ok

Thanks for your advice all, let's hope it's all ok

K

[mikeonb4c]

Hi all

well it's done...don't think I made many friends amongst the neighbours today...

Filled with 50/50 mix coolant/de-ionized water (very hard water round here), let idle/rev until the thermostat opened up (bottom hose hot and at some point the Mason alarm came on, set to 4) whilst moving the funnel up and down. Heater at front blew hot (the rear heather fan does not work), kept moving the funnel up and down until we could see no more bubbles, then let the level in the funnel drop till nearly empty, undid funnel and quickly put the bung in wearing rubber gloves. Took it for a 10 mile drive and all seems ok. On thing though the level in the funnel would drop quite quickly when revving with coolant coming out of the expansion tank. In the end we put the cap on the extension tank to stop it from overflowing.

Checked new hoses for leaks, one was leaking, others seemed ok

Thanks for your advice all, let's hope it's all ok

K

Good to hear the news

Neighbours - hmmm - yes. I would like to have my son Will help me by topping up header tank while I handle the bung (did it solo last time but it was a bit scary!), but that would mean doing it on a weekend when neighbours are all in, and all that 2500rpm stuff is a noisy affair isn't it.

Must get round to doing it soon though - can't keep putting off the evil day

Carry a bit of spare 50/50 mix with you for a few days in case the level drops a bit.

[eoptio]

Hi all

well we celebrated a bit too early it seems. Took it for a lightly longer drive last nite, checked coolant level tonight, expecting it might need topping up. However it needed approx 1 liter...one of the newly fitted hoses was leaking. Level dropped below 'low' so I guess we start again with the bleeding...It did not overheat whilst driving so hopefully no damage done. Might invest in a low coolant alarm

K

[mikeonb4c]

Hi all

well we celebrated a bit too early it seems. Took it for a lightly longer drive last nite, checked coolant level tonight, expecting it might need topping up. However it needed approx 1 liter...one of the newly fitted hoses was leaking. Level dropped below 'low' so I guess we start again with the bleeding...It did not overheat whilst driving so hopefully no damage done. Might invest in a low coolant alarm

K

Sounds like you got away with it, but tedious

Fitting an LCA makes a lot of sense

[eoptio]

Hi all

before I start the bleeding again I am looking for some advice on tightening the coolant hose clips: I replaced the 4 main hoses with silicone ones and fitted these with (non perforated) jubilee clips. The issue is that after bleeding none of the connnections leaked, after the longer test drive one of them did start to leak (or perhaps it started to leak overnight) and leaked enough to have to start the bleeding process again. I am aware that hose clips should not be overtightened, and concerned that overtightening might damage the hoses. How tight should the clips be? 10nm or so? For safety, would it make sense to put 2 clips on each connection?

Thanks

K

[mikexgough]

Hi all

well it's done...don't think I made many friends amongst the neighbours today...



K

mmmmmm....... this is why I like my more sensitive bleed method....... as we live in a quiet area, with quite a few elderly folks and the "noise police" are called frequently........

[Tomo 53]

Hi. when I fitted silicone hoses,thermostat and a new rad, bled ok easy to do as i fitted a balve on the end of the bleed pipe.and then bled as per the fact sheet.tested for two days ok ,third day found two hoses leaking, the hose clips felt loose,and as i have fitted hundreds of hoses in the past as i worked as a service engineer on industrial air compressors,
I am sure they wear tight ,two days later the water pump failed ,replaced it tested ok for two days and 100 miles,then drove to the Silverdale meet,started up to leave and found two hoses leaking againe due to loose clips,thanks Kenny for tightening them for me ,conclusion is the silicone hoses must shrink and i allways use good qoulity solid Jubilee clips.

[Doone]

Hi all. well it's done...don't think I made many friends amongst the neighbours today...

mmmmmm....... this is why I like my more sensitive bleed method....... as we live in a quiet area, with quite a few elderly folks and the "noise police" are called frequently........

Mike I know you've mentioned this before and I had a quick look through your previous posts but I can't find a write-up of your method. Have you done a write-up? Would you like to? If so, you could also pass it to Ian for inclusion in the factsheets, it may be of help to someone.

[mikexgough]

Mike I know you've mentioned this before and I had a quick look through your previous posts but I can't find a write-up of your method. Have you done a write-up? Would you like to? If so, you could also pass it to Ian for inclusion in the factsheets, it may be of help to someone.

Well I haven't published the method other than via pm...... as I don't want to tread on toes or spoil the party.....happy to pass on to those who would like it.....
It kind of links in with the recent "How the Cooling system works" thread, the end result is currently being concluded, then I believe it will be onto the Cooling Fans as a part 2....

[Doone]

It kind of links in with the recent "How the Cooling system works" thread,

I didn't know that. The members factsheet has various methods for bleeding the coolant system. I think it might be useful to include your method in the factsheet as another alternative for those who struggle with or don't like the various methods already there. It would keep all the 'bleeding' methods in one place. Perhaps it could be added after you have completed the coolant system thread?

[mikeonb4c]

It kind of links in with the recent "How the Cooling system works" thread,

I didn't know that. The members factsheet has various methods for bleeding the coolant system. I think it might be useful to include your method in the factsheet as another alternative for those who struggle with or don't like the various methods already there. It would keep all the 'bleeding' methods in one place. Perhaps it could be added after you have completed the coolant system thread?

Beat me to it. Great idea. One of the things that has caused me to put off doing mine again is that it was scary doing it on my own last time and I'd like my son to help me this time. But that means doing it on a weekend probably, when it will create noise nuisance for the neighbours (working weekdays not so bad).

So provided I can be convinced that Mike's method is sound (I'm intrigued as to how mind you since most of the engine running stuff is to get the thermostat opening I thought), I'd be v. interested.

[Doone]

So provided I can be convinced that Mike's method is sound

I understand that it worked for Mike and he has passed it on by pm, so perhaps those people who have used it could let us know?

Having said that, there are just a few where the system is all working fine (no leaks etc, everything as it should be), but they are a devil to bleed by any method including Mazdas own method. (But reassuringly even these bleed eventually and I've never seen a Bongo that won't bleed. )