My Xantia HDi Shed

[Supernaut]

I have a claw hammer and a selection of self-tappers.

Thing is, I need to be in Glasgow for Saturday evening... Replacement core plug is due on either Friday or Saturday morning.

Do I book a train ticket or not? My brother will let me borrow his car (2001 Honda Civic Aerodeck, that I actually want to buy off him soon) if I'm really stuck.

[CitroJim]

No, loads of time to swap a core plug

Some people also smear a bit of Blue Hylomar around the replacement when fitting it just as an added assurance... I never have...

[Supernaut]

I was just about to ask about gasket sealant. Other guides I've seen have mentioned it.

At least it's an easy to get to core plug! I'll just need to get hold of some anti-freeze as I'd rather not top it up with just water. What colour does an HDi use?

I used to have a luminous green Audi A4 1.8T that used a rather fetching shade of pink anti-freeze.

[demag]

I have used a small amount of gasket goo and smeared it round the hole before fitting the core plug.

[CitroJim]

What colour does an HDi use?

Use the normal ethylene glycol blue stuff...

Don't, under any circumstances, use OAT (often lurid pink) based stuff...

These days I find it's vital to check the container to ensure it actually is ethylene glycol as colour has ceased to be a reliable indicator of composition...

[RichardW]

Later HDis were factory fitted with OAT coolant - the Citroen stuff is almost colourless. Of course after 17 years, it could have anything in it!

All coolants contain ethylene glycol as the antifreeze - it's the anti - corrosion additives that have changed, and potentially don't get on with one another! That the plug has rusted through suggests that the anti- corrosion properties of the coolant may be exhausted anyway!

[CitroJim]

All coolants contain ethylene glycol as the antifreeze - it's the anti - corrosion additives that have changed, and potentially don't get on with one another!

Never realised it was just the anti-corrosion additives Richard... I always thought the OAT stuff was a replacement for ethylene glycol given how potentially toxic ethylene glycol is...

[Supernaut]

My 25mm core plug arrived today!

I managed to drain the coolant...

Grim!

Then I also managed to remove the core plug... 2 holes because the first pilot hole I drilled was 4mm, too loose for the screw. The 2.5mm hole worked a treat!

I then found out that a 25mm core plug is not what I need. I need a 30mm. It seems a fairly common size, so I'll check the local motor factors tomorrow. Luckily I don't use the car to commute, I just cycle a mile to work!

[van ordinaire]

All coolants contain ethylene glycol as the antifreeze - it's the anti - corrosion additives that have changed, and potentially don't get on with one another!

Never realised it was just the anti-corrosion additives Richard... I always thought the OAT stuff was a replacement for ethylene glycol given how potentially toxic ethylene glycol is...

That's what I thought too!

[CitroJim]

My 25mm core plug arrived today!

I managed to drain the coolant...

IMG_20170810_203611.jpg

Grim!

Definitely due up for a change!

Good on you cycling to work I do the same...

[Supernaut]

Here's hoping one of the local motor factors has a 30mm core plug, and I can book the work van...

[Supernaut]

UPDATE:

30mm core plug is too loose. I also got a 32mm, which is too big.

It seems I need a 31mm core plug, which doesn't appear to exist anywhere to buy. Can anybody look up a part number for this?

Or, is the other option that I'm just not hitting the 32mm core plug hard enough, and the one I took out only looks like 31mm on my measuring tape due to being distorted when pulled out? The 32mm really doesn't want to go in, whereas the one I removed will sit snugly.

[van ordinaire]

I thought the whole thing about core plugs was that they ARE slightly undersized, but convex - so when you tapped them in they spread, thus holding them in place & sealing them round their circumference.

[RichardW]

Pretty sure I looked before, and the plug is not listed separately. You might be able to find an imperial one that is a fit? 1" 7/32 is pretty close to 31mm... Or get one made to order. Or weld up the one you've got. Or find one from a stat housing from a scrappers. Or get the stat housing milled out to take a 32mm plug..... none of them particularly straight forward!

[lexi]

Take the 32 mm one and give it a file round the edges, then sand paper it. Make sure the opening is clean and worked with sandpaper too. This might get you the fit you need. I replaced plenty on Land Rovers and they were always a tight fit. Need to start them off true and then use a block of wood and hammer to force them in level, till they are home.