The antifreeze concentration has never looked great, and having already had one hard frost, it felt time to have a proper look. First step buy antifreeze. The job looks easy – easy access to rad drain plug, and all that needed doing was remove the header tank so refilling is easier, and locate the heater bleed valve. – Crack on …
Removed the drain plug and coolant went everywhere, including some going in the washing up bowl intended for the purpose. Managed to get some in my eyes, mouth and down my neck. Bugger. Removed the header and waited for it to stop dripping. Took a while. Tripped over the edge of a large rubber mat I use when I am underneath Heidi and lost the drain plug. Help! After a quick look around the undergrowth went to talk to neighbour Phil who helps at times like this. He provided some alternative possible plugs and a magnet so I could look in the under growth. Spent about half an hour searching round sifting through fallen leaves etc. Nothing. None pf Phil’s plugs fitted and I expected the drain plug was brass and so the magnet wouldnt work anyway. I was just at the point of giving up and started tidying up the bomb site, and there it was, about 2 ft from where I had last seen it. Phew. Plug in, I started topping up the level. Put 5 litres of antifreeze in, and managed about 2 litres of water. I was expecting to put 10 litres in altogether, but no. Started the engine and got everything warm, but still no room for water. Thought I’d better get everything hot, so after a lunch break went for a drive. Engine temp finally hit normal and I returned home, stopping on the way to look for leaks. Nothing. Checked levels – no change. Job done.
What I noticed however was that I had totally forgotten about the cam belt paranoia and that Heidi had driven perfectly normally. Double good job.
Whilst I was at it fresh water needed a draining for winter so I opened the valve in the cupboard under the sink and started to drain the water system. It finally stopped dripping, but there was still loads of water in the main tank. Puzzling. I had drained the old water a few times before. There must be a plug somewhere. Took the main tank apart and there it was, below where the pump sits. Pulled the plug, drained the tank and Bob was my uncle. No water in the system. Hard winter, bring it on!