Coolant flushing 1.5D 106

TheHatter · Post by **TheHatter** » 23 Apr 2003, 00:14

Hi,
I am just giving my mums 1.5 D a quick service, and thought I would do the
coolant, it hasn't been done as long as she has had the car (a few years
now). First thing, when I bled the system, the coolant came out in two
colours - green and purple (probably not good). So I decided to flush the
rad to remove any crud that could be there.
When reading the Haynes manual, it mentions in the servicing section 3 or 4
bleed screws. Then in the coolant section of the manual it mentions only
one. I could only find one, and that was the one labelled in the Haynes
manual. So I filled up the system as I would any other car - bleed screw
off, all pipes checked, put some coolant in to header tank until I can see
coolant coming from the bleed point. Then I blow through the header tank so
to pressurise the system and get all the air out, once I see only water
here, I do up the bleed screw and top up. I ran the engine - however the rad
fan didn't kick in (I tested the fan with a piece of wire, that worked - I
am guessing dodgy rad fan switch). The in-car heater was blowing hot enough
when I tested this, so I let the car sit to cool.
After a while once it was all cooled down, I topped up again, and re-bled
the system. Then ran the car again.Still no fan. Anyway, firstly - how many
bleed points should there be on this engine? It's a 95 model. Secondly,
would I be right to guess dodgy rad fan switch? I can never remember the fan
kicking in, even when borrowing the car and having to sit in hot motorway
traffic.
Thanks.

JohnD · Post by **JohnD** » 23 Apr 2003, 00:32

On the 1.5D engine there's only the one bleed screw which is set into the hose near the header tank. The fan cuts in at 96C. Mine very rarely does anything.

TheHatter · Post by **TheHatter** » 23 Apr 2003, 00:36

Ah, thanks! So the Haynes manual has it wrong (again)

96C, that sounds a little hot. Would it be worth finding a lower-temp fan switch? I was a bit worried when the haynes tells me to fast idle until the fan comes on, I waited, and waited, and waited. Then I gave up before something went bang.

JohnD · Post by **JohnD** » 23 Apr 2003, 01:48

Providing the thermostat is opening correctly at around 88C and the bottom hose is cooler than the top, I don't think you have anything to worry about. The temperature warning light shows at 118C.