Help! Coolant loss puzzle.....

[Mightyquin]

What a frustrating day! Can't undo some of the bolts to get the old rad out so mission aborted. I did manage to replace a blown front sidelight, and cleaned the MAF ready for the MOT but now have to limp the car to the garage or get a tow.

I did apply WD40 a few days ago but the Lower support bar bolts (for spare wheel bin) are solid and I don't want to mash the bolt heads up trying.

Really want my car back on the road!

[Mightyquin]

At last, new rad fitted (ebay inexpensive and good quality), oil change, new gearbox oil MT90 type which has improved gearchange action especially from cold, and a new MOT!

All in time for winter, damn it!

[AckersMR2]

I did apply WD40 a few days ago

For future reference PlusGas is far better for that sort of thing than WD40, good to hear you got it sorted  s:) s:)

[shnazzle]

I seem to have fallen victim to this N/S lower radiator leak issue.

Happy to buy a 50 quid (with delivery) eBay special and put it in but... This bleeding/filling business, how tricky is it? I can raise the back of my 2 about 1ft up with my jack/stands, and the drive itself is at a slight angle. Will that do?
Is there a more specific how-to anywhere? Particularly around the filling of new fluid

[StuC]

I actually managed to bleed mine on the flat ok. I have double checked it and I can't find any air in the system. Maybe I got lucky.

I did take some photos. I could have a go at a how to for ROC.
It's really not complicated though. Just a bit fiddly on the drivers side by the power steering gubbons.

[Joesson]

I was lucky! found my leak before a massive loss of coolant.
If you are in a similar position be sure to clamp off both radiator hoses close to the rad before removing it. Replace with new rad and new hose clips and then remove clamps and all that needs bleeding is the rad. Mine took 1 L of fluid only which is what I lost from the old rad when removing.
If you have lost a lot of coolant then I understand it is more fiddly/ time consuming than difficult.
Good luck any way.

[shnazzle]

Thanks I think I'll give it a go then

I already got in touch with GTSChris, but then realised..how am I going to get it there?  s:) s:)  it has NO coolant in it.

Hopefully I can get some time off work to sort it

[Anonymous]

Thanks I think I'll give it a go then

I already got in touch with GTSChris, but then realised..how am I going to get it there?  s:) s:)  it has NO coolant in it.

Hopefully I can get some time off work to sort it

Mark's guide here:  l viewtopic.php?f=47&t=20138 l  for replacing coolant adds enough detail. Having own mid-engined Toyota's for over a decade, and changed the coolant on all 3 generations, you just need to take your time, its very straight forward so long as you have no other unidentified air leaks on the system.  s;) s;)

[shnazzle]

Thanks I think I'll give it a go then

I already got in touch with GTSChris, but then realised..how am I going to get it there?  s:) s:)  it has NO coolant in it.

Hopefully I can get some time off work to sort it

Mark's guide here:  l viewtopic.php?f=47&t=20138 l  for replacing coolant adds enough detail. Having own mid-engined Toyota's for over a decade, and changed the coolant on all 3 generations, you just need to take your time, its very straight forward so long as you have no other unidentified air leaks on the system.  s;) s;)

Thanks! Good link. Will give it a go soon hopefully

[shnazzle]

How do we feel about mixing coolants?

I've got this in the garage, is it ok to use?




That's 4.5 liters of concentrate, which should see me through a refill. The pink one is 2.5 liters and is "mono ethyl glycol" is that the same? That'll make about 6 liters of coolant/anti freeze mix.

[shnazzle]

Haha!!
I just read the back of the pink one:
"Recommended for aluminium engines" and the corker..."do not mix coolants".

Question answered  s:) s:)  Left it on here for others to
A) learn to read before spouting crap
B) learn about coolants  s:) s:)

[StuC]

Its also on the back of the Unipart one too!  s;-) ;-) s;-)

[shnazzle]

Its also on the back of the Unipart one too!  s;-) ;-) s;-)

That took me far too long too find...
How was I supposed to know ethanediol is ethylene glycol?!
Also...how can I be sure that doesn't have other naughty chemicals in it that aren't saw?

Any further thoughts on mixing? Just saves me getting even more coolant and adding it to my ever increasing stock

[mrzwei]

I've actually experienced corrosion of waterways on an aluminium head and had to get some specialist welding done and a skim.
I've no idea whether or not that was anything to do with the type of anti-freeze but alloy heads can corrode.

In the short run I doubt that you would have a problem but one type is more acidic than the other and that's what all the fuss is about.

[shnazzle]

I've actually experienced corrosion of waterways on an aluminium head and had to get some specialist welding done and a skim.
I've no idea whether or not that was anything to do with the type of anti-freeze but alloy heads can corrode.

In the short run I doubt that you would have a problem but one type is more acidic than the other and that's what all the fuss is about.

Methinks I shall get a couple of shiny new 5l cans from Mr T and dispose of the dodgy unipart ones.

I'm not looking forward to the bleeding. If the car and my fingers inevitably.

Any clue if there is anything different for when you have A/C?

[StuC]

Any clue if there is anything different for when you have A/C?

Just leave it where it is. No need to touch it.  :-) :-) :-)