2011 Citroen C4 2.0HDI DW10CTED - full coolant flush and replacement

[StrictlyConfidential]

Hi everyone,

After recently purchasing a car cheaply, I've got some issues to get repaired, one of them is to fully flush the coolant system and replace it with a new coolant.

At the moment the coolant looks brown in colour, but nothing to suggest that it is because of a leaking head gasket as it doesn't look like a cream, but correct me if I'm wrong

I've never done a coolant flush, but I hope I'm ready to tackle it, using this video perhaps, as a sort of a benchmark on how to fully flush the system .

Bought a Haynes manual, but it's not great TBH for Citroen C4 as it had no specific info on where are the bleeding points. I would guess those would be the lower hose on the radiator, one on the engine block (if there is one on this car) and heater matrix?

Will I need any special tools like a coolant flush kit or anything to tackle this job?

As for the coolant itself, I don't know what to choose, but it would seem that Comma G30 is a replacement to the old G33 coolant that is no longer in production or I can go with something generic like this? https://www.eurocarparts.com/p/triple-q ... OEQAvD_BwE

Thanks

[GiveMeABreak]

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There are plenty of guides we have for draining, refilling and degassing the coolant on PSA models in our resources section, which does require a £10 Forum donation to access. This will cover you for parts requests, parts diagrams and access to some resources for up to 2 years.

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[StrictlyConfidential]

Hi "GiveMeABreak",

Sorry about the images, thought it would look neater in the way of the links, now changed

Donated to the forum as I feel that it's only fair for the support of it and the info I'll get

[GiveMeABreak]

No worries.

Follow the guide for draining / refilling the coolant for the C5 X7 here, it's the same procedure:

viewtopic.php?t=64036

... and as mentioned, if you need any current official parts info or parts diagrams, just ask and thanks for the donation.

[white exec]

For a dirty cooling system, I'd recommend 1 x 300ml can of LiquiMoly Radiator Cleaner (#2506), which is available at all the usual places.
Drain the system, add the cleaner, and fill with water. Bring up to full working temperature, and bleed thoroughly. Follow the user instructions on the can, or on the website. Removes limescale, rust, sediment, oil and grease from the system. Flush out again with water, then refill with coolant, and bleed.

[StrictlyConfidential]

Thank you for the info guys,

Going back to the coolant is G30 from Comma a good choice? And what is the capacity of the coolant system? Will I need 5 or 10 litres of coolant?

[KennyW]

That's what I use, get a 5 litre concentrate and make 50/50 mix. Fill up and follow bleeding procedure.

Kenny

[StrictlyConfidential]

Bought all the stuff needed for the change of the coolant and whilst I was reading the instructions on how to change it all, I found that degassing needs to be done after filling the system.

Can someone explain what degassing operation is and how to do it please? It says I need a charging cylinder, which I don't think one can get their hands on if not working in a PSA workshop or something. How can it be done without special tools?

Thanks

[GiveMeABreak]

Degassing is essential to remove the entrapped gases or air from the cooling system. The instructions are in the procedure (different for either a Euro 6 or non Euro 6 engine). It tells you what to do and is the official procedure - it is what the dealers will use when draining and refilling the cooling system. I can't provide any shortcuts as this is what is supposed to be done.

[StrictlyConfidential]

Degassing is essential to remove the entrapped gases or air from the cooling system. The instructions are in the procedure (different for either a Euro 6 or non Euro 6 engine). It tells you what to do and is the official procedure - it is what the dealers will use when draining and refilling the cooling system. I can't provide any shortcuts as this is what is supposed to be done.

I see it's just a fancy name for removing the air trapped in the coolant system.

Would you be able to tell what is the capacity of the coolant system in DW10CTED4 engine, so I could have an idea on how much have I drained out and how much there still may be in the system after draining it?

[Hell Razor5543]

I cannot say this will work on your C4, but a trick that has been used on other Citroens (where the expansion chamber is below the highest coolant point of the engine) is to get a large drinks bottle (like a 3l plastic bottle), cut the bottom off, then use something like a flannel to help seal the bottle into the expansion chamber filling point. This usually raises the coolant level (expansion chamber wise) so it is the highest point in the cooling system, so filling and bleeding the cooling system should get rid of any air pockets. However, I cannot offer any more than that.

[StrictlyConfidential]

I got down to 3 flushes now and about to do 2 more, to get as much rusty coolant out and have somewhat clean deionised water in the system.

Now I still don't know how much coolant stays behind in, say, heater matrix and engine block, but about 4 litres comes out after each drain.

When I'm done with all the drains am I supposed to fill in antifreeze concentrate into to the header tank to achieve the required 50/50 dilution, as there will already be water in the system?

[white exec]

If some remains of de-ionised water is still in the system, add your new coolant with 50% of the system's listed capacity, and then top up with more de-ionised. That ensures the system contains a 50:50 mix.

[StrictlyConfidential]

If some remains of de-ionised water is still in the system, add your new coolant with 50% of the system's listed capacity, and then top up with more de-ionised. That ensures the system contains a 50:50 mix.

Trouble is, I can't find anywhere on the internet on what is the listed system capacity on this engine it's like some secret info

Edit: I believe I found. Different car but same engine. 8 liters is the capacity. So if I can drain only 4 litres of it, the rest will have to be antifreeze only to make it 50/50.

https://www.auto-data.net/en/peugeot-rc ... 63hp-21024

[white exec]

That sounds right: 4L of remaining de-ionised water + 4L of new coolant.
To be sure of making space for the 4L of coolant, drain off 5L.