how to empty the coolant fully on my lcr?

[rydogg09]

hi want to change my expansion tank tomorrow due to the annoying beep on my temp gauge from the dodgy rods. was just wondering is there a tap or sutin to empty the whole system and if so where? also once refilled do i need to bleed? thanks

 

[andycupra]

you are in luck:

There IS a drain tap on the bottom nearside edge of the radiator. It is on the joint coming off the back of the radiator.
All you need to do is turn the tap and it will drain.
Access being the difficult bit, having to remove the undertray and the tap is still a little awkward due to the front bumper being in the way. a short length of pipe stuck on the drain pipe is helpful.
Simply open the tap and the expansion tank top.

When refilling you dont need to do any bleeding, its a self bleeding system.

Regards the annoying beep, - what level is the coolant at when cold? if its not at the top end of the range indicated when cold try topping it up a bit

 

[BEOWULF]

bottom hose no need to bleed

 

[rydogg09]

great usefeul info thanks very much, so i can literally just turn with my hands can i? when u mean the undertray is that the little part just to the right handside under bumper(attached to bumper) does it need to be unscewed or what? what u mean by a short length of pipe mate? and its on the top level line bar a mm or so lol, its fine doesnt do it above 4-5 degree's but when below and cold will do it, common fault belive the metal prongs get a bit dodgy. many thanks again ryan

 

[Shmoo]

I would try cleaning the metal prongs with a toothbrush as see if it makes a difference. They may just be dirty.

 

[allh2k]

If you really wanna empty the full system I used a blow up bed pump on one of the smaller pipes to blow the rest out

 

[dazvessey]

i would run it with a pipe off

 

[andycupra]

yes you can simply turn the 'tap' with your hands.
The undertray i refer to is the large 3 x3 ft plastic tray underneath the engine.
I guess its potentially possible to drain without doing this, but its not how ive ever done it.

Open tap,
let it drain.
TURN TAP BACK.
fill up.
run,
fill up as needed,
go for drive with some coolant and top up as needed / if needed once up to temp. - although be careful opening expansion tank when hot.

easy.

 

[rydogg09]

thanks mate, so no screws to take off the under tray off? thanks

 

[andycupra]

the undertray is not so easy. It is help in place with about 10 clips, which i think are the type you turn through 90degrees with a screwdriver, if i remember correctly.

Life is much easier if you can get the car on a ramp or jacked up well.
But be safe, no dodgy jacks.

Alternatively, given its lifetime coolant, dont drain it. try topping it up a bit first, or use some pipework to drain the expansion tank.

 

[rydogg09]

hi mate done my coolant today, didnt even have a an undertray onit so was easy to get at the tap i drained it, i then took off the old expansion tank and replaced with new, i then filled up the expansion tank to the brim it didnt go down so i then started it and waited till it went down. it went to the full mark so gotta check next time im out init to see if goes done further, only took 3 litres??? did i do everything right? many thanks ryan

 

[andycupra]

sounds right.

4 litres is typical when doing a coolant change, i managed nearer 5 but i know i drained it 100%. heater matrix etc is an area not alwayas drained.

You dont say if you have let it run to operating termperature, as if you only ran it for a bit the coolant wont have been fully circulating due to the thermostat being closed.

Its lifetime coolant (G12) so i wouldnt worry about how much you changed, although i guess you have not measured how much you drained and compared to how much you have replaced?

Id leave some in the car somewhere as it might drop more when you are up to temperature.
(bearing in mind if it is fully filled when coolant gets hot it will expand and sit higher in the expansion tank)

 

[JamesL]

When I did my CTS, I topped up that day, checked later that afternoon and still fine having driven ~40 miles, then it was the following morning that it dropped.

 

[andycupra]

When I did my CTS, I topped up that day, checked later that afternoon and still fine having driven ~40 miles, then it was the following morning that it dropped.

did you drain the system to do that? as its not needed.

 

[rydogg09]

sounds right.

4 litres is typical when doing a coolant change, i managed nearer 5 but i know i drained it 100%. heater matrix etc is an area not alwayas drained.

You dont say if you have let it run to operating termperature, as if you only ran it for a bit the coolant wont have been fully circulating due to the thermostat being closed.

Its lifetime coolant (G12) so i wouldnt worry about how much you changed, although i guess you have not measured how much you drained and compared to how much you have replaced?

Id leave some in the car somewhere as it might drop more when you are up to temperature.
(bearing in mind if it is fully filled when coolant gets hot it will expand and sit higher in the expansion tank)

andcupra is that right what iv done mate?

 

[andycupra]

andcupra is that right what iv done mate?

it sounds right yes. although 3 litres seems a little less than id expect, - im not sure if you have run it up to operating temperature or not? if not then when it does get to normal running temperature and so it FULLY circulating make sure you recheck the coolant level. (and so when you go for a drive have whatever coolant you have left in the car somewhere

or in short, yes youhave done ok but a further drop in coolant level when up to full operating temperature might not be unexpected.

 

[rydogg09]

ok thanks mate

 

[Mark300zx]

Anyone know the total capacity of the coolant system?

 

[andycupra]

most people find its 4 litres when the change it.

Although i managed a bit over 4.5

 

[Mark300zx]

Thanks but there is usually some coolant left in the block when you drain and flush it, so to calculate the correct amount of antifreeze to stick in you have to know the total capacity?