Changing coolant

[baz]

Hi everyone not much action on the site lately, well I'm about to change the water in the cougars radiator so what's the easiest way and best coolant to use.
Baz

[thearrow]

Can't help you with this but NEVER you use water you must use proper coolant. However thinking about it underneath should be some sort of plug in the cooling system.

[baz]

Yes I know about the drain plug and I've got the right coolant, I was interested as to how to get the rest of the coolant out of the engine and heater core,
I thought about putting compressed air in the reservoir to push the water through.
Baz

[thearrow]

If you ran the motor when it was cold with the drain plug removed then the system would purge itself just as long as it didn't overheat you would be OK. You might not get ALL of it but certainly most of it.

OR

Disconnect one of the hoses and let it drain underneath the car.

[baz]

I tried getting the drain plug out, no success, both the drain plug and bottom hose difficult to get to, might have to remove the radiator support bracket.
Baz

[REDDYZ]

Drain plug is very easy to get. You need a big flat head screw driver. It is located on the driver side right opposite to the a/c compressor at the bottom of the radiator. If you got right tools (circlip pliers) then its easy to undo radiator hose clamps. Try not to damage the drain plug. When you put it back, you should take care of torque you apply to tighten. Easy to damage it.

[REDDYZ]

Originally Posted by baz

Yes I know about the drain plug and I've got the right coolant, I was interested as to how to get the rest of the coolant out of the engine and heater core,
I thought about putting compressed air in the reservoir to push the water through.
Baz

Not sure what coolant you've got, use only pre-mixed preferable Nulon long life red coolant. Don't use tap water if you have concentrate. Use only distilled water with coolant concentrate.

When you use compressed air make sure you do it with care and there is way for the air/coolant to go out.

[REDDYZ]

Originally Posted by thearrow

Disconnect one of the hoses and let it drain underneath the car.

Even when all hoses are disconnected, engine block will still hold about 3 to 4 litres of coolant unless you tilt engine so that the coolant will drain out.

Apart from using compressed air, running cold engine carefully for few seconds might be a good idea. Removing thermostat might help as well.

[baz]

Thanks for advice, I already damaged the plug, could only get short screw driver onto it. so I left it in place until I get a new plug, would repco or autobarn sell plugs for cougars?
Baz