I have a 406 1.9 diesel and have just fitted a new radiator. Is there a special way to refill this with coolant or do I just use the expansion chamber?
Thanks
Gareth
Radiator refilling
Moderator: Moderators
Re: Radiator refilling
You'll need to bleed the system. Fill it up and get the drivers side front wheel up on the kerb. Top it up then undo the bleed screws - there will be one on a heater pipe coming through the bulkhead near the brake master cylinder and probably another one by the thermostat housing.
Keep the lid off the expansion tank and fire up the engine until it's warm. When the thermostat opens the level in the expansion tank will drop. Fill it up again and CAREFULLY (wear thick gloves!) bleed it again. Fill it back up until it's over the minimum level , put the car back on the road, and check it again after a drive.
The reason for raising the car on the kerb is the expansion tank is actually lower on the flat than some parts of the system, so you need to do that (or make up a header tank expansion) to make sure you're putting enough coolant in
Keep the lid off the expansion tank and fire up the engine until it's warm. When the thermostat opens the level in the expansion tank will drop. Fill it up again and CAREFULLY (wear thick gloves!) bleed it again. Fill it back up until it's over the minimum level , put the car back on the road, and check it again after a drive.
The reason for raising the car on the kerb is the expansion tank is actually lower on the flat than some parts of the system, so you need to do that (or make up a header tank expansion) to make sure you're putting enough coolant in
<steve_earwig> I think this forum is more about keeping our cars going with minimal outlay than giving our cars more reason to go bang