Maintenance of the cooling system (draining, flushing, filling)

Warning: Antifreeze is a corrosive and poisonous liquid, so be careful not to drop it on the painted surfaces of your car or on your skin. If this happens, immediately wash off the antifreeze with plenty of clean water.

1. Periodically drain, flush and refill the cooling system to replenish antifreeze and prevent rust and corrosion. After servicing the cooling system, check and, if necessary, replace all hoses and the radiator cap.

Drain

2. Apply the handbrake and block the wheels of the machine.

3. With the engine completely cold, remove the radiator cap. On a four-cylinder engine, remove the drain plug from the thermostat housing (see picture).



4. Place a large container under the radiator to receive the coolant. Connect a 3/8" hose to the drain nozzle to direct coolant into a container, then open the drain (you may need pliers to turn the cork (see picture).




5. After the coolant stops flowing from the radiator, move the container under the engine compartment plug. Remove the plug and drain the fluid from the engine compartment.

6. While the coolant is flowing, check the condition of the radiator and heater hoses, as well as the clamps (see if necessary section 15).

7. Replace any damaged clamps and hoses (Look chapter 3, for a detailed description of the replacement procedure).

Flushing

8. After completely draining the system, flush the radiator with clean water until clean water drains from it. A stream of water will remove sediment from the radiator, but will not be able to remove rust and scale from the surface of the motor and radiator pipe.

9. These deposits can be removed by chemical treatment with a cleaner. Follow the procedure according to the manufacturer's recommendations. If the radiator is severely corroded, damaged or leaking, it should be removed (chapter 3) and repair.

10. Remove the overflow hose from the expansion tank. Dry it and rinse with clean water, then reconnect the hose.

Filling

11. Close and tighten the radiator drain pipe. Install and tighten the engine compartment drain plug. On a four-cylinder engine, install a drain plug.


12. Set the temperature control of the heater to the maximum position.

13. Slowly add fresh coolant (a mixture of water and antifreeze in a ratio of 50/50) before filling the radiator. Fill the reservoir with coolant to the bottom mark.

14. Remove the radiator cap and start the engine, let it run in a well ventilated area until the thermostat opens (coolant will flow through the radiator and the upper radiator hose will heat up).

15. Turn off the engine and let it cool down. Add coolant until the level rises to the top of the radiator filler neck.

16. Press the air out of the upper radiator hose, add more coolant if necessary. Install the radiator cap.

17. Start the engine, let it warm up to normal operating temperature, then check for possible leaks.